Press Freedom and Governance
Ensuring freedom for the media around the world is a priority. Independent, free and pluralistic media are central to good governance in democracies that are young and old. A free and independent media:
- can ensure transparency, accountability and the rule of law;
- promote participation in public and political discourse, and
- contribute to the fight against poverty.
The independent media sector draws its power from the community it serves and in return empowers that community to be full a partner in the democratic process.
Freedom of information and freedom of expression are the founding principles for open and informed debate. New technology will continue to evolve and allow citizens to further shape their media environments as well as access a plurality of sources. The combination of access to information and citizen participation in media can only contribute to an increased sense of ownership and empowerment.*
Source: The United Nations.
Our Principles
• Accuracy
NetNewsLedger reporters, editors, columnists and contributors seek out the truth in all matters of public interest. Our team invests our time and skills to learn, understand and clearly explain the facts to our audience. The production techniques we use serve to present the content in a clear and accessible manner.
• Fairness
In our information gathering and reporting, we treat individuals and organizations with openness and respect. We are mindful of their rights. Our goal and aim are to treat everyone we work with to gather news and information even‑handedly and with fairness.
• Balance
NetNewsLedger seeks to contribute to boosting informed debate on issues that matter to people from Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario to all Canadians by reflecting a diversity of opinion. Our content seeks to present a wide range of subject matter and views. We bring in viewpoints from a variety of points of view to accomplish this goal.
On issues of controversy, NetNewsLedger works to ensure that divergent views are reflected respectfully, taking into account their relevance to the debate and how widely held these views are. We also ensure that they are represented over a reasonable period of time.
• Impartiality
NetNewsLedger works to provide professional judgment based on facts and expertise. Our goal is that we do not promote any particular point of view on matters of public debate.
• Integrity
The trust of the public is our most valued asset. We avoid putting ourselves in real or potential conflicts of interest.
This is essential to our credibility.
Policy on News Sources with Personal Agendas
NetNewsLedger is committed to delivering news that is accurate, balanced, and fair. We understand that individuals or organizations may approach us with information that could potentially be newsworthy. However, we also acknowledge that sometimes these sources may have personal or political agendas that seek to harm or unfairly target specific individuals or groups.
In order to protect the integrity of our journalism and the public’s trust in our work, we have the following policy for dealing with news sources who may have a personal agenda:
- Source Verification: All tips, leads, and sources will be scrutinized thoroughly to ascertain their credibility and motivation. We will strive to identify any potential biases or personal agendas that might influence the information provided.
- Corroboration of Information: Single-source stories, especially those that could potentially harm an individual’s reputation, will be treated with the utmost caution. We will seek to corroborate the information from multiple independent sources before considering it for publication.
- Fair Representation: Any individual who is the subject of potentially harmful news will be given a reasonable opportunity to respond before the story is published. We believe in representing all sides of a story fairly and accurately.
- Transparency: If a source has a known agenda or bias, we will disclose this information to our readers to the extent that it is relevant and necessary, respecting privacy laws and journalistic ethical guidelines.
- Ethical Considerations: We will never knowingly publish a story that is intended to harm someone out of malice or personal vendetta. Our journalists adhere strictly to the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics, which includes the principle to “minimize harm.”
Our ultimate goal at NetNewsLedger is to serve the public interest. We believe in holding the powerful accountable while ensuring that individuals are treated fairly and with respect. We hope that this policy reinforces our commitment to upholding the highest standards of journalistic integrity.
January 2019 – Update:
Often there are concerns raised over how images are used online. Here is Canadian Law on the issue:
Infringement of Copyright and Moral Rights and Exceptions to Infringement
Moral Rights Infringement
Marginal note: Nature of right of integrity
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28.2 (1) The author’s or performer’s right to the integrity of a work or performer’s performance is infringed only if the work or the performance is, to the prejudice of its author’s or performer’s honour or reputation,
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Marginal note: Where prejudice deemed
(2) In the case of a painting, sculpture or engraving, the prejudice referred to in subsection (1) shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of any distortion, mutilation or other modification of the work.
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Marginal note: When work not distorted, etc.
(3) For the purposes of this section,
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(a) a change in the location of a work, the physical means by which a work is exposed or the physical structure containing a work, or
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(b) steps taken in good faith to restore or preserve the work
shall not, by that act alone, constitute a distortion, mutilation or other modification of the work.
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- R.S., 1985, c. 10 (4th Supp.), s. 6;
- 2012, c. 20, s. 20.
Exceptions
Fair Dealing
Marginal note: Research, private study, etc.
29 Fair dealing for the purpose of research, private study, education, parody or satire does not infringe copyright.
- R.S., 1985, c. C-42, s. 29;
- R.S., 1985, c. 10 (4th Supp.), s. 7;
- 1994, c. 47, s. 61;
- 1997, c. 24, s. 18;
- 2012, c. 20, s. 21.
Marginal note: Criticism or review
29.1 Fair dealing for the purpose of criticism or review does not infringe copyright if the following are mentioned:
- 1997, c. 24, s. 18.
Marginal note: News reporting
29.2 Fair dealing for the purpose of news reporting does not infringe copyright if the following are mentioned:
- 1997, c. 24, s. 18.
Non-commercial User-generated Content
Marginal note: Non-commercial user-generated content
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29.21 (1) It is not an infringement of copyright for an individual to use an existing work or other subject-matter or copy of one, which has been published or otherwise made available to the public, in the creation of a new work or other subject-matters in which copyright subsists and for the individual — or, with the individual’s authorization, a member of their household — to use the new work or other subject-matter or to authorize an intermediary to disseminate it, if
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(a) the use of, or the authorization to disseminate, the new work or other subject-matter is done solely for non-commercial purposes;
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(b) the source — and, if given in the source, the name of the author, performer, maker or broadcaster — of the existing work or other subject-matter or copy of it are mentioned, if it is reasonable in the circumstances to do so;
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(c) the individual had reasonable grounds to believe that the existing work or other subject-matter or copy of it, as the case may be, was not infringing copyright; and
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(d) the use of, or the authorization to disseminate, the new work or other subject-matter does not have a substantial adverse effect, financial or otherwise, on the exploitation or potential exploitation of the existing work or other subject-matters — or copy of it — or on an existing or potential market for it, including that the new work or other subject-matter is not a substitute for the existing one.
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Marginal note: Definitions
(2) The following definitions apply in subsection (1).
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intermediary means a person or entity who regularly provides space or means for works or other subject-matter to be enjoyed by the public. (intermédiaire)
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use means to do anything that by this Act the owner of the copyright has the sole right to do, other than the right to authorize anything. (utiliser)
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- 2012, c. 20, s. 22.
Reproduction for Private Purposes
Marginal note: Reproduction for private purposes
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29.22 (1) It is not an infringement of copyright for an individual to reproduce a work or other subject-matter or any substantial part of a work or other subject-matter if
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(a) the copy of the work or other subject-matter from which the reproduction is made is not an infringing copy;
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(b) the individual legally obtained the copy of the work or other subject-matter from which the reproduction is made, other than by borrowing it or renting it, and owns or is authorized to use the medium or device on which it is reproduced;
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(c) the individual, in order to make the reproduction, did not circumvent, as defined in section 41, a technological protection measure, as defined in that section, or cause one to be circumvented;
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(e) the reproduction is used only for the individual’s private purposes.
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Meaning of medium or device
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), a medium or device includes digital memory in which a work or subject-matter may be stored for the purpose of allowing the telecommunication of the work or other subject-matter through the Internet or other digital network.
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Marginal note: Limitation — audio recording medium
(3) In the case of a work or other subject-matter that is a musical work embodied in a sound recording, a performer’s performance of a musical work embodied in a sound recording or a sound recording in which a musical work or a performer’s performance of a musical work is embodied, subsection (1) does not apply if the reproduction is made onto an audio recording medium as defined in section 79.
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Marginal note: Limitation — destruction of reproductions
(4) Subsection (1) does not apply if the individual gives away, rents or sells the copy of the work or other subject-matter from which the reproduction is made without first destroying all reproductions of that copy that the individual has made under that subsection.
- 2012, c. 20, s. 22.
Fixing Signals and Recording Programs for Later Listening or Viewing
Marginal note: Reproduction for later listening or viewing
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29.23 (1) It is not an infringement of copyright for an individual to fix a communication signal, to reproduce a work or sound recording that is being broadcast or to fix or reproduce a performer’s performance that is being broadcast, in order to record a program for the purpose of listening to or viewing it later, if
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(b) the individual, in order to record the program, did not circumvent, as defined in section 41, a technological protection measure, as defined in that section, or cause one to be circumvented;
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(c) the individual makes no more than one recording of the program;
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(d) the individual keeps the recording no longer than is reasonably necessary in order to listen to or view the program at a more convenient time;
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(f) the recording is used only for the individual’s private purposes.
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Marginal note: Limitation
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the individual receives the work, performer’s performance or sound recording under an on-demand service.
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- providing educational and training opportunities aimed at Indigenous inclusion; and
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- Ensure authentic and appropriate representation of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people, inclusive of diverse Indigenous cultural backgrounds, in order to address negative and discriminatory stereotypes. Support Indigenous people sharing their stories, from their perspectives, free of bias, discrimination, and false assumptions, and in a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive way. Increase the number of Indigenous people in broadcasting, television, and radio, and in journalist, reporter, producer, and executive positions in the entertainment industry, including, and not limited to, by: providing scholarships and grants aimed at Indigenous inclusion in media, film, and music industry-related fields of study.
Marginal note: Definitions
(3) The following definitions apply in this section.
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broadcast means any transmission of a work or other subject-matter by telecommunication for reception by the public but does not include a transmission that is made solely for performance in public. (radiodiffusion)
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on-demand service means a service that allows a person to receive works, performer’s performances and sound recordings at times of their choosing. (service sur demande)
June 2019 Update:
In understanding of the issue of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls and the Final Report of the Commissioners: Reclaiming Power and Place, NetNewsLedger accepts and to the best of our abilities will include the media and social influencer’s recommendation in our reporting.
Media and Social Influencers
- We call upon all media, news corporations, and outlets, and, in particular, government-funded corporations and outlets; media unions, associations, and guilds; academic institutions teaching journalism or media courses; governments that fund such corporations, outlets, and academic institutions; and journalists, reporters, bloggers, film producers, writers, musicians, music producers, and, more generally, people working in the entertainment industry to take decolonizing approaches to their work and publications in order to educate all Canadians about Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people. More specifically, this includes the following:
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- Ensure authentic and appropriate representation of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people, inclusive of diverse Indigenous cultural backgrounds, in order to address negative and discriminatory stereotypes. Support Indigenous people sharing their stories, from their perspectives, free of bias, discrimination, and false assumptions, and in a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive way. Increase the number of Indigenous people in broadcasting, television, and radio, and in journalist, reporter, producer, and executive positions in the entertainment industry, including, and not limited to, by: providing scholarships and grants aimed at Indigenous inclusion in media, film, and music industry-related fields of study.
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- Take proactive steps to break down the stereotypes that hypersexualize and demean Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people, and to end practices that perpetuate myths that Indigenous women are more sexually available and “less worthy” than non-Indigenous women because of their race or background.
