Networked Knowledge - Media Report

[This version of the report has been edited by Dr Robert N Moles

On 29 May 2007 the Canadian Press reported “Demanding writer's notes in Baltovich murder case perversion of free press; lawyer”

Toronto: It said that the lawyer for the author of a book on the Robert Baltovich murder case says forcing him to turn over his source material would undermine press freedoms. The Crown wants to see Toronto journalist Derek Finkle's source notes and tapes on the grounds that his book reveals discrepancies in what Baltovich told him and told police. But lawyer Iain MacKinnon told the court today that Finkle has nothing that could help decide Baltovich's guilt or innocence.

He called the Crown's subpoena of Finkle's materials a classic "fishing expedition" that would unnecessarily violate press freedoms, and says it's not up to journalists to do police legwork.

MacKinnon says if people worry that journalists can be easily turned into police informers, they will stop talking to the media and that could damage democracy itself. Based on circumstantial evidence, Baltovich was convicted of the second-degree murder of his girlfriend Elizabeth Bain, who vanished in east-end Toronto in 1992. He spent eight years in jail before winning the right to a new trial, which begins later this year.

Source: 29 May 29 2007 Canadian Press “Demanding writer's notes in Baltovich murder case perversion of free press; lawyer”

See also

Dr Charles Smith Homepage
Canadian Issues Homepage
List of Australian, UK and USA miscarriage of justice cases
Article on Australian miscarriage of justice cases
Article on UK miscarriage of justice cases
Article on USA miscarriage of justice cases

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