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Category Investors Date 10/19/2006 |
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CanWest MediaWorks Inc Praises Court Ruling on Raid on Ottawa Citizen Journalist’s Home and Office
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(TORONTO) - CanWest MediaWorks Inc today applauded the Ontario Superior Court ruling that strikes down as unconstitutional Section 4 of the Security of Information Act that authorized a controversial raid on the home and office of Ottawa Citizen journalist Juliet O'Neill in January 2004. The ruling that Section 4 of the Act unjustifiably violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms marks a significant achievement for the freedom of the press in Canada.
“This is a great day for Julie, the Citizen and the media – indeed for everyone in Canada,” said Scott Anderson, Editor of the Ottawa Citizen. “The judge recognizes that all Canadians benefit from striking down this overbroad and vague section of law that gives police more power than they need or, as they proved in this case, deserve. I am particularly pleased that the judge found the RCMP abused their authority when they intruded on Julie's house and office in an attempt to find the source of the Arar leaks. We wish to congratulate Julie on her unwavering commitment to see this case through for the benefit of all Canadians.”
"Canadians’ last line of defense against the abuse of state authority is in our courts of law. Today’s judgment against the Federal Government is not just a win for Juliet O'Neill and the Ottawa Citizen but for the rule of law itself,” said David Asper, Executive Vice President of CanWest Global and Chairman of the National Post. “The brute force of the state met its match, and we are proud to be unequivocally supportive of this important case of journalistic freedom.”
“I feel like I've been holding my breath for two and a half years and I can finally exhale, but I won't until I hear the Minister of Justice say the Crown will not appeal this ruling,” said Juliet O’Neill, journalist with the Ottawa Citizen. “The ruling is a powerful statement against the criminalization of communication, against treating reporters as an arm of the law and about the importance of free expression and freedom of the press in a democracy. I want to thank our lawyers, my editors and CanWest for going to the wall on this case and my friends, family and colleagues for their support during this fight.”
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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