Journalistic Standards and Practices

I. LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK

1. CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

The Charter guarantees a number of fundamental freedoms, notably "freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication". The effect of this guarantee ultimately depends upon the decisions of the courts.

The validity of any law that is inconsistent with a freedom guaranteed by the Charter depends upon whether the limits which the law imposes on that freedom "can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society".

The extent of Charter protection in the face of apparent legal limits is a matter of continuing interpretation. CBC journalists are cautioned not to assume that they have particular rights based on the Charter that override existing legal restrictions without consultation with CBC's Law Department.