Rebel News wins suit for freedom of the press!

harrylee

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Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
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Here is a non-donation gauntlet written link:

Here’s some background from half a year ago:
His (Ezra Lavant’s) application to the Federal Court says section 2(b) of the Charter, which guarantees free expression and freedom of the press, also protects access to government information in order that “meaningful” discussion about it is possible.

Fred Kozak, a leading Alberta media lawyer who has acted both for and against Levant, said he doesn’t always agree with Rebel’s opinions or tactics, but believes there’s merit to the Twitter argument.

The courts have interpreted the free expression section as a “bundle” of rights that covers more than just actual expression, he said.

“I don’t think you can identify and use a communications and access mechanism, and then deny access to somebody who disagrees with your perspective,” said Kozak. “That is not how democracies are supposed to operate.”

The Federal Court has approved a consent orderrequiring Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault to unblock Rebel News publisher Ezra Levant on Twitter.

Regardless of your views of either Levant or Guilbeault, the principle that government ministers should not block access to their feeds given the implications for freedom of expression is an important one.

Given the implications of Bill C-18 and blocked news links, government information may only be available directly from the original source on some services, thereby increasing the importance of unfettered access.
 

petros

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Here is a non-donation gauntlet written link:

Here’s some background from half a year ago:
His (Ezra Lavant’s) application to the Federal Court says section 2(b) of the Charter, which guarantees free expression and freedom of the press, also protects access to government information in order that “meaningful” discussion about it is possible.

Fred Kozak, a leading Alberta media lawyer who has acted both for and against Levant, said he doesn’t always agree with Rebel’s opinions or tactics, but believes there’s merit to the Twitter argument.

The courts have interpreted the free expression section as a “bundle” of rights that covers more than just actual expression, he said.

“I don’t think you can identify and use a communications and access mechanism, and then deny access to somebody who disagrees with your perspective,” said Kozak. “That is not how democracies are supposed to operate.”

The Federal Court has approved a consent orderrequiring Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault to unblock Rebel News publisher Ezra Levant on Twitter.

Regardless of your views of either Levant or Guilbeault, the principle that government ministers should not block access to their feeds given the implications for freedom of expression is an important one.

Given the implications of Bill C-18 and blocked news links, government information may only be available directly from the original source on some services, thereby increasing the importance of unfettered access.
This will be on Russel Brand by tomorrow.
 
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Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
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It’s in the National Post now.Canada’s environment minister has earned a rebuke in court for blocking a contentious commentator on X, formerly known as Twitter.

On Monday, Federal Court Justice Russel Zinn issued a consent order concluding legal action filed two years ago by Rebel News founder Ezra Levant, who took Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault to court after he blocked Levant’s account, which would prevent Levant from seeing or replying to Guilbeault’s tweets in his own feed.

Zinn also ordered Guilbeault and his staff to not block Levant on X during the balance of his time as a member of Parliament.

Guilbeault was ordered to pay Levant $20,000 within 90 days….but will he? Or will that also become something dropped on the Taxpayers Dime?
Levant told National Post that Guilbeault using the block button to shut out dissent is equivalent to the “weaponization of the state” against his critics.

“Some people might think being blocked by the government on Twitter is a trifle, but it is the principle: can a cabinet minister cut you off from a government service just because you are a political opponent? And if he can, what other services can he restrict?” Levant said, describing the decision as a rejection of cancel culture.

“I’m very glad to have done this, because it sends a message that the government must work for Canadians of every political stripe.”
 
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Tecumsehsbones

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Good. No government that blocks people has any right to call itself "rule of law."

But don't be ridiculous. Gilbo was acting in his office as a government official. Of course the government will pay the money.
 
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Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
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With a side of “Um uh uh Uhm uh…” & then “Unacceptable views, misogynists, etc…” type Trudeau sweet nothings….while Trudeau lectures about Accountability??? Seriously….’cuz Science!

This isn’t the first Liberal Snit about this, trying to use dirty, underhanded tactics against unflattering media coverage like they’re generally un-use to…until recently.

Rebel News and True North have applied for judicial review of their initial press-accreditation denial by the Leaders’ Debates Commission, following a successful injunction by which the two media companies were eventually permitted to attend and participate in the Oct. 7 (2019) debate between federal party leaders.

“They want answers and they’re still seeking certain declarations and orders from the court that the commission acted unfairly and unreasonably and unlawfully in refusing to grant them accreditation,” says David Elmaleh, who acted for Rebel News.

After hearing about their denied accreditation on the morning of Friday Oct. 4, True North and Rebel News each filed urgent motions in Federal Court the following Monday for an interlocutory injunction against the commission’s denial. The motion was heard at 3 pm and Justice Russel Zinn delivered the decision in their favour at 4:30 pm, allowing them to attend the debate two-and-a-half hours later.

(oh look, same Judge Russel Zinn…again)

Rebel News can be pretty Whackadoodle at times, but even a broken clock is correct twice a day….& I think they have a better track record than a broken clock, their continuous, begging for donations is pretty much a turnoff. Check this out.
 
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Tecumsehsbones

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Rebel News can be pretty Whackadoodle at times, but even a broken clock is correct twice a day

And you have a right to lie. . . plain old flat-out lying, much less expressing slanted views or pure opinion.

Otherwise every politician in history woulda been behind bars.
 

spaminator

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Rebel News suing over Jan. 8 exchange with Freeland in Richmond Hill
No statement of defence has yet been filed

Author of the article:postmedia News
Published Mar 06, 2024 • Last updated 1 day ago • 1 minute read
Rebel News filed a $1-million lawsuit after one of its reporters was handcuffed while attempting to question Canada's Finance Minister.
David Menzies, a reporter with Rebel News, walked up to Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland, centre, on Jan. 8, 2024 to ask her questions in Richmond Hill.
Rebel News has filed a $1-million lawsuit after one of its reporters was handcuffed while attempting to question Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, reports Blacklock’s Reporter.


Authorities claimed the questions on Jan. 8 in Richmond Hill were too “aggressive,” Rebel News’ lawyer Lawrence Greenspon, wrote in a statement of claim filed with Ontario Superior Court.


“The questions spoke to the federal government’s foreign affairs and foreign policy,” said the filing.

“These questions were relevant and valid questions which were asked within journalistic principles. Minister Freeland as a public official was attending a public event in her capacity as a public servant.”

Greenspon filed the claim for just over $1 million in damages for false arrest, abuse of process and other allegations against the RCMP, York Regional Police and the Department of Justice, representing Freeland.


No statement of defence has yet been filed.

In the incident, Freeland was walking to a public appearance when Rebel News reporter David Menzies, who was accompanied by photographer Lincoln Jay, asked Freeland two questions about cabinet’s refusal to blacklist the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization in Canada.

Freeland just kept walking as plainclothes Mounties grabbed the reporter and accused him of criminal assault.

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The lawsuit claimed police told the reporter his questions were “very aggressive,” and he was “running in with his microphone very aggressively.”

The statement of claim said while police were quoted as saying Menzies was “almost pushing everyone over,” Rebel video allegedly shows it was a plainclothes police offer who sprinted over, pushed the reporter to provoke a confrontation and then claimed assault.

The claim contended the reporter and photographer were held in a police van without charges before being driven two blocks to an empty parking lot and given a trespass warning.