http://www.theinternetpatrol.com/canadian-press-banned-from-linking-to-non-canadian-sites-talking-about-canadian-robert-pickton-murder-trial/ Internet Safety, Windows Updates, Internet News, and More Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:42:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 http://www.theinternetpatrol.com/canadian-press-banned-from-linking-to-non-canadian-sites-talking-about-canadian-robert-pickton-murder-trial/#comment-39422 Illuminata Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:52:18 +0000 /?p=721#comment-39422 I think that what is important here is the understanding that the Canadian sensibility prefers to know the facts without inviting prurient or exploitative interest. The press ban is there to attempt to insure a fair trial without too much media sensationalism. I cannot see a problem with that. However, alongside that reasoning, there is another aspect to the press ban. There is a huge discussion within the Canadian community through its media outlets which is more invested in discussing the question of how much should be revealed to the public and how much we as Canadians really want and need to know. There is a sense of respect for people who have lost family members in tragedies like this, and as such, there is a tendency to agree that we do not need to know every sordid detail - rather, the general information is adequate without getting too graphic. Canadians view this as a "safe" soft law, which is intended to protect children and those who may have difficulty in knowing the more horrific details of such a crime. Canadians are entitled to the basic information, and yes, we all know how to use Google, so those with a deep interest in details have the freedom to pursue as much information as they so please. But the general idea is to protect the general public from the unnecessary graphic details - to avoid disturbing information being passed out to those who might be upset. While persons from outside Canada may view this as some kind of censorship, the truth is available to those who desire it, while the innocent of society do not have to be subjected to sensationalist information. I'm satisfied with this approach to a terrible event, and I hope Canada will continue to utilize this approach in the interest of fairness in trials and the protection of the innocent. I think that what is important here is the understanding that the Canadian sensibility prefers to know the facts without inviting prurient or exploitative interest. The press ban is there to attempt to insure a fair trial without too much media sensationalism. I cannot see a problem with that. However, alongside that reasoning, there is another aspect to the press ban. There is a huge discussion within the Canadian community through its media outlets which is more invested in discussing the question of how much should be revealed to the public and how much we as Canadians really want and need to know. There is a sense of respect for people who have lost family members in tragedies like this, and as such, there is a tendency to agree that we do not need to know every sordid detail - rather, the general information is adequate without getting too graphic. Canadians view this as a “safe” soft law, which is intended to protect children and those who may have difficulty in knowing the more horrific details of such a crime. Canadians are entitled to the basic information, and yes, we all know how to use Google, so those with a deep interest in details have the freedom to pursue as much information as they so please. But the general idea is to protect the general public from the unnecessary graphic details - to avoid disturbing information being passed out to those who might be upset. While persons from outside Canada may view this as some kind of censorship, the truth is available to those who desire it, while the innocent of society do not have to be subjected to sensationalist information. I’m satisfied with this approach to a terrible event, and I hope Canada will continue to utilize this approach in the interest of fairness in trials and the protection of the innocent.

]]> http://www.theinternetpatrol.com/canadian-press-banned-from-linking-to-non-canadian-sites-talking-about-canadian-robert-pickton-murder-trial/#comment-1982 Mickey Fri, 10 Jun 2005 22:03:48 +0000 /?p=721#comment-1982 And, of course, a popular Minnesota-based blog got into hot water just a few months ago for publishing information regarding Canada's "sponsorship" scandal in the Gomery Inquiry. And, of course, a popular Minnesota-based blog got into hot water just a few months ago for publishing information regarding Canada’s “sponsorship” scandal in the Gomery Inquiry.

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