Media Industry Concerned Over Potentially Restrictive Legislative Amendment

Concerns have heightened among media practitioners after Cabinet gave its approval for a legislative amendment that could possibly stifle the news industry.  In its brief, Cabinet says it has given the nod to amend the Criminal Code to criminalize the unauthorized publication, dissemination or disclosure of statements, documents, video footage, photographs, or other materials that form part of an ongoing criminal investigation that can endanger the lives of witnesses and compromise the integrity of investigations.  It is an amendment that could further stifle the media as information is not always immediately available for publication, and members of the public have become valuable sources of information and video documentation of events and incidents occurring across the country.  Our newsroom will be looking further into this amendment and will report accordingly.