The Canadian Journalists for Free Expression want your input on how access to information could – and should -- be improved in Canada. For those who don’t know CJFE, it’s an independent Canadian organization that works to protect journalists, freedom of expression, and access to information in Canada and around the world. They’re good guys.
Tomorrow is the 2012 CJFE Gala “A Night to Honour Courageous Reporting.” The event is an opportunity to recognize the courage of those who stand up for free expression. This year they will be honouring Rami Jarrah (Syria) and Mae Azango (Liberia) with the International Press Freedom Awards. Daniel Henry (Canada) will be receiving the Vox Libera Award, and Radio-Canada's program Enquête (Canada) will be accepting the Tara Singh Hayer Award.
A note: Last year’s winner of the Vox Libera Award was Ron Haggart, honoured posthumously. His daughter—my colleague Kelly Haggart—has very recently published an ebook of her father’s writings, Cool Heads at Kingston Pen, his account of the 1971 riots at Kingston Penitentiary. Haggart was instrumental in mediating an end to the crisis.
Tomorrow CJFE also launch their new video on the current state of access to information in Canada.
If you don’t have time to watch it (it’s really short) the bottom line is this: Canada ranks 55th out of 93 countries surveyed for freedom of expression. The study was carried out by the Centre for Law and Democracy.
And so, CJFE asks your input into a submission for the Office of the Information Commissioner on the changes needed to update and improve the system. Help improve the state of access to information in Canada: complete the survey.
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