In this episode, we talk about the recent case of a Canadian journalist being investigated by the government for reporting on a controversial issue, and the implications for the free speech rights of other journalists and political commentators. We discuss the importance of free speech, free expression, and freedom of the press as pillars of a free society.
00:00:00.000Yeah, I'm not familiar with the details of the case, but I can just speak broadly that obviously the importance of free speech, free expression, freedom of the press are together the fundamental pillars of our Western society and freedom more broadly.
00:00:18.360So I don't think we ever want to be in a situation where journalists are intimidated, where political commentators are intimidated.
00:00:25.680That fundamental importance of free speech, free expression, freedom of the press, we never want to see journalists intimidated.
00:00:30.840We never want to see political commentators having to second guess what they're saying.
00:00:35.340People should be allowed to speak their truth and people should be allowed to disagree with that and disagree with it strongly.
00:00:41.080Well, my first reaction, you know, not being an expert on the case, but my first reaction is they have Elections Canada needs to be really careful about chilling free speech.
00:00:53.340You know, when you see a journalist being investigated by the government for reporting and the idea is that, you know, just reporting on the issue is the problem.
00:01:05.580It wasn't, from what I understand, they didn't object to the substance of what he reported.
00:01:13.920They are objecting to the influence of the news report or the timing of the news report.
00:01:18.860And that is not great for a free society.
00:01:22.940And I worry that other journalists, other young people are going to see stuff like that and then now feel constrained by how they do their jobs.
00:01:32.220So that is what I worry about, you know.