Regulatory, Telecom & Media News – Bill C-10 faces scrutiny in Senate

Bill C-10 received House of Commons approval in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. It’s now expected to die in the Senate where it’s anticipated the process will be pre-empted by an election call later this year. Among those questioning the Liberal government’s 11th hour effort is Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame inductee, Senator Pamela Wallin. Former Edmonton Journal columnist and CBC Radio producer, Senator Paula Simons, also weighed in, questioning whether digital media can be accurately regulated using analog tools.

Global News has been forced by an Ontario Superior Court to hand over a 2019 recording of an interview conducted with an alleged ISIS member to the RCMP. The order follows a year-and-a-half long legal battle that was under a publication ban. VICE Media reporter Ben Makuch was compelled by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2018 to hand over similar communications to RCMP.

The Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) says Toronto Police attempted to obstruct multiple journalists covering the removal of a homeless encampment in Toronto’s Trinity Bellwoods Park this week, including the detention of photojournalist Ian Willms. Five journalists at the scene told CAJ their access to the area in question was blocked by police. Video footage and eyewitness accounts show Willms was detained by a group of officers despite clearly identifying himself as a journalist by holding up his press card from the National Press Photographers Association. He was later told he was being charged with trespassing, obstruction and causing a disturbance, which was reduced to trespassing. The arrest marks the second time this month Canadian police have restricted journalists. On June 2, the CAJ, along with a coalition of news organizations and press freedom groups, filed a legal application to allow reporters substantive access to cover old-growth logging protests happening in the Fairy Creek watershed, near Port Renfrew, B.C.

The Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) and Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) have formed the Indigenous Reporters Network, a network of Indigenous journalists within the CAJ aimed at providing those at all career stages with opportunities to develop their skills, participate in CAJ events and professional development, and build new connections with peers across the country. Members of the network will receive a free two-year CAJ membership. Current or recent participants in JHR programs are eligible for student memberships.

The Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) has announced the launch of the Summer 2021 edition of its popular mentorship program with 30 top journalists in radio, television, digital, and print across the country stepping up to mentor early and mid-career CAJ members. In keeping with the CAJ’s efforts to advance equity in Canadian media, more than half of the mentors for this round are women, and nearly half are journalists of colour. Among them are Andree Lau – Managing editor, digital news, CBC News; Ryan McMahon – Anishinaabe writer and podcast host; Abigail Bimman – Ottawa correspondent, Global National; Colin D’Mello – Queen’s Park bureau chief, CTV News; Jordan Heath-Rawlings – Host, The Big Story Podcast; Tara Weber – Western bureau chief, BNN Bloomberg; David Common – Host of Marketplace, CBC News; Farah Nasser – Evening news anchor, Global News Toronto; and Allya Davidson – Senior producer, CTV W5. The deadline for applications is Friday, July 9.

RETHINKING MEDIA: Eric Blais is back with a new column on why broadcasters need to forge ahead to the future, from finding new ways to measure fractured audiences to innovative use of internal resources and talent. Read more here.