Libel: What’s The Big Deal?

By PEN Canada | October 17, 2012 at 11:02 am | No comments | Blog, Video | Tags: libel, national affairs, Non-Speak Week, Philip Slatyon

A conversation with Philip Slayton and Brian Rogers

Libel law allows someone to protect his reputation against unfair attack. This seems like a good idea, but Brian Rogers, one of Canada's leading libel lawyers, says that the common law of libel can be "the invisible hand of censorship." Rogers points out that corporations and wealthy individuals may use libel law to discourage journalists and others from critical comment. He argues that public debate and the free flow of information is vital in a democracy, and laws that inhibit free exchange and fair comment should be reformed. In conversation with PEN Canada's Philip Slayton, Brian Rogers discusses the state of libel law in Canada and changes that should be made.

VIDEO

Philip Slayton
Philip Slayton, a retired lawyer and the University of Western Ontario’s former dean of law, has published two best-selling books: Lawyers Gone Bad: Money, Sex and Madness in Canada’s Legal Profession and Mighty Judgment: How the Supreme Court of Canada Runs Your Life. He is the co-founder of Nova Scotia’s Port Medway Readers Festival.

Brian MacLeod Rogers
Brian MacLeod Rogers is a lawyer practicing media law and related litigation, with an emphasis on libel, privacy, freedom of expression and Internet-related issues. He has appeared at all levels of courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and has been involved in numerous recent appellate cases. He was founding president of Ad IDEM/Canadian Media Lawyers Association and is an Adjunct Professor, Ryerson University School of Journalism.

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