Journalists’ use of anonymous sources is a practice as old as the trade itself and is considered one of the hallmarks of the freedom of the press, to which Canadians have a right.
By Anthony Murdoch
OTTAWA (Life Site) — “A Liberal Party of Canada policy proposal which calls for online news “publications” whose sources cannot be “verified” to in effect be censored was passed by party members over the weekend, which a top Canadian internet analyst warned sets a “dangerous” precedent.”
“In total, Liberal Party members “passed and prioritized” 24 official party policies, in order of priority at its Party National Convention, which began Thursday and concluded Saturday in Ottawa.
“Coming in at number 10 was a policy resolution titled “Combatting Disinformation in Canada,” which was sponsored by the Liberal Party of Canada (British Columbia).
“According to the Liberals’ “Disinformation” policy, Canada’s mainstream media “no longer employs as many reporters with extensive knowledge of particular subject areas,” and there is an increase in “disinformation” which is an “existential risk to humanity.”
“Because of this, the Liberal party produced and passed two resolutions.
“The first reads, “BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada: Request the Government explore options to hold on-line information services accountable for the veracity of material published on their platforms and to limit publication only to material whose sources can be traced.”
“The second resolution reads that the government “provide additional public funds to support advertisement-free news and information reporting by Canadian media through an arm’s-length non-partisan mechanism.” “
Comment:
UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Article 19 – Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS
Article 19
1. Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference.
2. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice.
3. The exercise of the rights provided for in paragraph 2 of this article carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary:
(a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others;
(b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals.
THE CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
Guarantee of Rights and Freedoms
- The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights
and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by
law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.
Fundamental Freedoms
- Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
(a) freedom of conscience and religion;
(b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom
of the press and other media of communication;
(c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and
(d) freedom of association.
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My comment: Not a peep about sources or misinformation. If expressing, debating, and considering hypothetical hypotheses was banned, science, seeking the truth, informed choices, democracy, investigation, law enforcement, justice system, and any progress would not be possible. Neither would politics. When I was attending York University in 1980s, our projects were evaluated and marked based on our creative, independent and critical thinking and our ability to formulate our own conclussions. Nowadays, if you do that, you fail. Instead, you are required to quote “sources”. This change was introduced together with other dumbing down reforms of our schools. I remember the facts and the names. Obedient society seems to be a goal. Good days are over. Woke reality is upon us. My opinion.
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