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Category Print Date 11/3/2006 |
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Statement by CanWest MediaWorks on the Ruling in Controversial Raid on Journalist’s Home and Office
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(TORONTO) – “CanWest Mediaworks wishes to acknowledge and congratulate Minister of Justice Vic Toews for his decision to not appeal the case against Ottawa Citizen journalist Juliet O'Neill. The Minister has made a principled choice that is consistent with the positions he took while in opposition.
The case against O'Neill arose from reporting she did on official leaks connected to the Maher Arar affair. Her home and the office of the Citizen were searched by police with the authority of search warrants issued under the Security of Information Act. Madame Justice Lynn Ratushny found that the warrants were invalid and that section 4 of the Security of Information Act was unconstitutional.
Lawyers handling the case were Richard Dearden of Gowlings in association with David Paccioco from the University of Ottawa. The editorial team at the Ottawa Citizen led by Scott Anderson and Drew Gragg deserve enormous credit for their unwavering support of excellence in journalism. And, of course, Juliet O'Neill must be recognized for her own courage in standing up for herself under very trying personal circumstances.
Juliet and her colleagues, Kim Bolan in Vancouver, who has reported extensively on secret proceedings in the Air India affair, and former National Post journalist Andrew McIntosh, have become symbols of determination and willpower in preserving freedom of the press."
About CanWest MediaWorks Inc.
CanWest MediaWorks Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CanWest Global Communications Corp, (CanWest) (NYSE: CWG; TSX: CGS and CGS.A, www.canwestglobal.com). CanWest, an international media company, is Canada's largest media company. In addition to owning the Global Television Network,
CanWest is Canada's largest publisher of daily newspapers, and also owns, operates and/or holds substantial interests in conventional television, out-of-home advertising, specialty cable channels, Web sites and radio networks in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, the United States and the United Kingdom.
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For further information, please contact:
Betsy Chaly
Director, Corporate Communications
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