Court rules against National Post in source case
Legal News Center
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled Friday that journalists do not have a blanket right to shield confidential sources.
The court ruled 8-1 against the National Post and former reporter Andrew McIntosh, who sought to quash a search warrant issued almost a decade ago in a case dealing with a possibly forged document from a secret source linked to a political scandal.
In finding there is no broad protection for journalists to shield sources, the justices said claims of immunity can be argued on a case-by-case basis.
"The law should and does accept that in some situations the public interest in protecting the secret source from disclosure outweighs other competing public interests — including criminal investigations," Justice Ian Binnie wrote on the court's behalf.
"In those circumstances, the courts will recognize an immunity against disclosure of sources to whom confidentiality has been promised."
But Binnie wrote that in this situation, the needs of a police investigation trumped the right to keep sources confidential.
Related listings
-
Court blocks release of jailed militia members
Legal News Center 05/07/2010A federal appeals court on Thursday intervened to block the release of nine members of a Michigan militia accused of plotting to overthrow the government, dealing a setback to the defendants as they gathered in a courtroom hoping to rejoin their fami...
-
Jailed Michigan militia members could be released
Legal News Center 05/06/2010Prosecutors say they will ask a federal appeals court to quickly intervene and stop the release of nine jailed Michigan militia members accused of conspiring to overthrow the U.S. government.U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade says the conditions set by a ...
-
Bryan A. Lowe & Associates - Las Vegas Law Firm
Legal News Center 05/06/2010Founded in 1982, Bryan A Lowe & Associates is a law firm based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The firm provides a wide range of services, primarily in the areas of estate planning, probate, bankruptcy, general business (corporate, partnership, and proprie...
New York Commercial Litigation Law Firm - Woods Lonergan PLLC
Founded in 1993 by Managing Partner James F. Woods, Woods Lonergan PLLC has built a strong reputation as a resourceful and industrious firm that provides clients with clear, concise, and straightforward answers to their most challenging legal issues. Partner Lawrence R. Lonergan, who joined the firm in 2008, has been a friend and colleague to Mr. Woods for over 40 years and shares the same business philosophy. Woods Lonergan PLLC’s collective experience and expertise enables the firm to expeditiously and effectively analyze the increasing challenges clients face in an evolving business and legal world, in many instances, avoiding unnecessary time and expense to our clients. Our mission is simple: provide cutting-edge expertise and sound advice in select areas of the law for corporate and business clients. We thrive on providing each client with personalized attention, forceful representation, and a collaborative team effort that embraces collective knowledge.