Davis Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights
Presents
Lawyers and the Media – In the Public Interest
November 23, 2011
12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Room FLB, Flavelle House
Faculty of Law, University of Toronto
A light lunch will be served.
The media often shows intense interest in the court cases that shape social policy in Canada. Constitutional and human rights related cases such as the recent Insite decision (Canada (Attorney General) v PHS Community Services Society), the Polygamy Reference Case, Bedford v Canada (prostitution challenge), as well as a number of national security cases have been reported on, debated and championed by journalists and commentators in all forms of media across Canada. What is the role that lawyers play in the public debate of the issues in the cases? To what extent do the media influence the outcomes, if at all? How can the media’s interpretation of decisions affect public perception?
A significant concern for lawyers acting in such public interest cases is how to effectively communicate their client’s issues to the media, or whether to do so at all. What do you do when a reporter calls? What are the professional responsibilities of lawyers to their clients, as officers of the court and to the administration of justice when talking to reporters? How is it different if you act for the government? How can lawyers effectively work with the media in the public interest?
Panel:
Julian Falconer, Partner, Falconer Charney LLP
Urszula Kaczmarczyk, Senior General Counsel, Immigration Law Division, Department of Justice
Tracey Tyler, Legal Affairs Reporter, The Toronto Star
Professor David Schneiderman, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto
Moderator: Paul Schabas, Partner, Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP
For more information, please contact cheryl.milne@utoronto.ca
