Trust is earned through process, not popularity

THUNDER BAY – Backgrounder – In Canada, there’s no government “licence” to be a journalist. What separates a reporter and a credible media outlet from a rumor page or influencer account is the discipline of verification, fairness, transparency, and accountability—and a willingness to correct mistakes publicly.

In recent years, the term “fake news” has become all too common, and with the growing popularity of social media, opinionated information cloaked as news reporting in increasingly common.

One of the sure ways to separate the real news from the actual “fake news” is that the real news is not going to try to tell you to only follow their reports.

Real news outlets don’t insult other media outlets. They let their coverage of the facts allow you to make informed decisions.

Most professional newsrooms anchor their work to published ethics codes such as the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) Ethics Guidelines and the RTDNA Canada Code of Journalistic Ethics, which emphasize accuracy, fairness, independence, integrity, and respect.

Core standards “real media” follow

Across Canadian newsrooms, these expectations are common:

• Accuracy and verification first: confirm facts, attribute clearly, distinguish what’s known from what’s alleged, and avoid overstating certainty.

• Fairness and balance: represent relevant viewpoints, avoid bias, and give a right of reply when criticism is significant and practical.

• Independence: disclose conflicts of interest and keep journalism separate from advertising or sponsorship.

• Transparency and corrections: correct errors promptly and visibly; explain what changed when it matters.

• Respect and harm reduction: minimize unnecessary harm—especially when reporting on crime, trauma, or vulnerable people—while still informing the public.

• Accountability: credible outlets provide a way for the public to complain or seek corrections; many Canadian outlets participate in self-regulatory systems like press councils.

• Follow the Truth and Report on the Journey: Real media isn’t about the reporter – it is about the facts. Simple. Follow the facts and tell people the truth.

Court Reporting: Open Justice, With Real Rules

The “open court principle” is the starting point

Canadian courts are generally public. The open court principle exists to support confidence in the justice system and is closely tied to freedom of expression.

But “open” doesn’t mean “anything goes.”

Court reporting comes with strict limits—especially publication bans and privacy protections. Justice Canada notes that publication bans can prohibit publishing, broadcasting, or transmitting certain information (including on social media).

Standards a court reporter is expected to follow

1) Report what happened in court—carefully
A court reporter should:

• separate allegations from findings of fact

• use precise language: “alleged,” “testified,” “the Crown submitted,” “the judge ruled”

• avoid publishing claims that weren’t presented in court or can’t be verified

2) Protect fair trial rights
Ethics guidance stresses avoiding coverage that could prejudice proceedings—especially before verdict.

3) Check for publication bans every time
Some bans are ordered by judges; others are automatic under statute. Examples reporters commonly encounter include:

• Bail hearing publication bans under Criminal Code s. 517 (can restrict publishing evidence and submissions from bail proceedings until later in the case).

• Victim/witness identity protections under Criminal Code s. 486.4 (and related provisions).

• Court systems also provide guidance to media on publication bans and notification processes.

4) Follow courtroom rules
Courts can restrict recording, photography, and device use. Professional reporters know the local rules and protocols and follow them.

Reporting on Youth Court Cases in Canada: Privacy Rules Are Central

The general rule: you cannot identify a young person

Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), it is generally prohibited to publish a young person’s name or identifying information if it would identify them as a young person dealt with under the YCJA.

This shapes how “real media” covers youth cases:

• No names, clear identifiers, or details that would “connect the dots”

• Caution with addresses, schools, unique personal details, or family identifiers

• Extra care with photos and social media material

Youth victims and witnesses are also protected

Justice Canada notes that, in most cases, the YCJA does not allow publication of identity information that would identify young victims or witnesses (often described as an “automatic” protection).

Why it matters

These limits exist to support rehabilitation and protect children and teens from lifelong harm caused by permanent online exposure—while still allowing the public to understand what the justice system is doing.

What Readers Can Look For to Spot Credible Court Reporting

A trustworthy court story usually includes:

• clear attribution (what police allege vs. what was proven in court)

• careful language and avoidance of speculation

• respect for publication bans and youth identity protections

• timely corrections when errors occur

• separation of news from opinion/advocacy content

The Last Word: A guide to Canadian journalism standards, court reporting rules, and youth privacy protections under YCJA.