Live blog on press freedom: Getting away with secrecy
March 9, Friday: 9 a.m. session
Courthouse culture and rights to accessing information, were only some
of the topics discussed at the "Getting away with secrecy" panel on day
two of the Press Freedom in Canada conference. The diverse panel
provided different perspectives on government secrecy and its role in
journalist's trying to access information.
Canadian investigative journalist, Linden MacIntyre began the event by describing a phenomenon that he calls, "courthouse culture". He said that the general attitude that courthouse officials have against journalists, often hinders them from accessing information they have a right to. MacIntyre also added that people today are afraid of exercising their rights.
"People are ambivalent about freedom. We're all in favor of the idea, but when it comes to the practice we become scared of the responsibility."
Journalism professor, Fred Vallance-Jones, sparked discussion about how the government controls access to information. He said that 30 per cent of media requests made by journalists are abandoned.
Suzanne Craig, integrity commissioner for the city of Vaughn, said that unwillingness from government officials and a lack of funds and resources are the main reasons why access to information is a fundamental right that is often denied.
Journalism professor Bruce Gillespie and UBC journalism professor and producer for 60 minutes, Peter Klein, also joined in on the discussion.
Take a look at some of the tweets curated throughout the event.
Panel: Getting away with secrecy: What’s going on here and why is it happening?
Ryersonian reporters Katia Dmitrieva (@KatiaDMI) and Jillian Bell (@Jillian_Bell) will be reporting live from the event.
Canadian investigative journalist, Linden MacIntyre began the event by describing a phenomenon that he calls, "courthouse culture". He said that the general attitude that courthouse officials have against journalists, often hinders them from accessing information they have a right to. MacIntyre also added that people today are afraid of exercising their rights.
"People are ambivalent about freedom. We're all in favor of the idea, but when it comes to the practice we become scared of the responsibility."
Journalism professor, Fred Vallance-Jones, sparked discussion about how the government controls access to information. He said that 30 per cent of media requests made by journalists are abandoned.
Suzanne Craig, integrity commissioner for the city of Vaughn, said that unwillingness from government officials and a lack of funds and resources are the main reasons why access to information is a fundamental right that is often denied.
Journalism professor Bruce Gillespie and UBC journalism professor and producer for 60 minutes, Peter Klein, also joined in on the discussion.
Take a look at some of the tweets curated throughout the event.
Panel: Getting away with secrecy: What’s going on here and why is it happening?
Provocateur: Peter Klein (University of British Columbia)
Panelists:
Suzanne Craig (Integrity Commissioner, City of Vaughan)
Linden MacIntyre (CBC, the fifth estate)
Fred Vallance-Jones (University of King’s College)
Bruce Gillespie (Wilfrid Laurier University)Ryersonian reporters Katia Dmitrieva (@KatiaDMI) and Jillian Bell (@Jillian_Bell) will be reporting live from the event.
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#freepresscda courthouse culture is all about getting the right people at the right time and navigating the roadblocks set up -MacIntyreby katiadmi via twitter 3/9/2012 2:21:04 PM -
#freepresscda people are scared of freedom because responsibility comes with it. -MacIntyreby katiadmi via twitter 3/9/2012 2:23:06 PM
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"People are ambivalent about freedom" MacIntyre #freepresscdaby Jillian_Bell via twitter 3/9/2012 2:23:27 PM -
#freepresscda MacIntyre shares a decidedly cynical view of free press: the public doesn't want it.by katiadmi via twitter 3/9/2012 2:24:46 PM
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MacIntyre: and the government is making it harder to get info. And the public is just sleeping. (Shapiro is nodding along) #freepresscdaby J-Source via twitter 3/9/2012 2:25:40 PM -
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Vallance-Jones: says courthouse its a marvellous way to describe circumstance
#freepresscdaby Nicole Servinis via twitter 3/9/2012 2:30:01 PM -
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#freepresscda Vallance-Jones has filed thousands of freedom of info requests to CDA govt. The result? Hurdles. Govt tight-lipped.by katiadmi via twitter 3/9/2012 2:36:46 PM
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"Contentious" access to information requests have longer processing time. #freepresscdaby Jillian_Bell via twitter 3/9/2012 2:37:17 PM
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#freepresscda Vallance-Jones wrote a book with invest. reporter Rob Cribb. Check out what Cribb has to say abt free press....by katiadmi via twitter 3/9/2012 2:40:41 PM
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#freepresscda after MacIntyre and Vallance-Jones, we now move onto #legal insight from Suzanne Craig.by katiadmi via twitter 3/9/2012 2:42:35 PM
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Craig "know more than anyone in this room about how freedom of information process works," Shapiro. #freepresscdaby Jillian_Bell via twitter 3/9/2012 2:42:36 PM
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Public's right to know is a fundamental right, Craig #freepresscdaby Jillian_Bell via twitter 3/9/2012 2:43:49 PM
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#freepresscda reporters listen raptly to Craig+her insiders look at why foi requests so hard to get: political intervention, no resourcesby katiadmi via twitter 3/9/2012 2:44:38 PM
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Craig says public's right to know is fundamental, sometimes held back by lack of resources at governmental level #freepresscdaby Jillian_Bell via twitter 3/9/2012 2:46:09 PM
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#freepresscda so far,we've heard: free press depends on people, on govt, OR it's hard bc of limited resources. So what can b done?by katiadmi via twitter 3/9/2012 2:48:37 PM
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For 30 years we've had legislation saying access to information is a right, but access officials have no authority over process: Craigby Jillian_Bell via twitter 3/9/2012 2:50:47 PM
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Craig describes "us vs. them" view some journs have toward FOI bureaucrats, finds speaking with journalists remedies this #freepresscdaby Jillian_Bell via twitter 3/9/2012 2:51:28 PM
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Without looking around too much, I spy at least seven people tweeting. #freepresscdaby Jillian_Bell via twitter 3/9/2012 2:55:16 PM
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#freepresscda "political masters" Craig uses this word because "that's what they are." says one women was fired bc she pushed 4 free press.by katiadmi via twitter 3/9/2012 2:56:24 PM
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The political will and the administrative will have to change. When mayor and admins believe in openess, access works: Craig. #freepresscdaby Jillian_Bell via twitter 3/9/2012 2:56:42 PM
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