2023-08: Penna v Toronto Star

2023-08: Penna v Toronto Star

March 17, 2023 – for immediate release

The National NewsMedia Council dismissed a complaint about accuracy in a November 24, 2022, editorial, “A welcome step in the climate fight,” published by the Toronto Star.

The editorial argued that an international agreement to help developing countries deal with the devastating effects of climate change was a “landmark victory,” but cautioned that action must be taken quickly and collectively to address a changing climate and its impact on vulnerable nations.

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2023-10: Coakley v Hamilton Spectator

February 28, 2023 – for immediate release

The National NewsMedia Council found that corrective action was taken to address a concern about accuracy in a January 19, 2023, obituary, “Rabbi Bernard Baskin, Hamilton’s wise man, dies at 102,” published by the Hamilton Spectator.

Mark Coakley filed a complaint with the NNC stating concern that the article inaccurately referred to the late Rabbi Baskin as having lived in the Hamilton, Ontario, neighbourhood of Westdale. The complainant pointed out that the rabbi’s long-time residence was in fact located in the nearby neighbourhood of Ainslie Wood.

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2022-79: White v Toronto Star

February 1, 2023 – for immediate release

The National NewsMedia Council dismissed a complaint about accuracy and reporting on sensitive issues in a November 21, 2022, news article, “New Democratic MPP Joel Harden under fire for antisemitic comments,” published by the Toronto Star.

The article reported on an Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament who had apologized for antisemitic comments. Jeff White filed a complaint stating that the article inaccurately conflated criticism of the Israeli government with antisemitism.

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2022-71: Heywood v Vancouver Sun

January 31, 2023 – for immediate release

The National NewsMedia Council dismissed a complaint about accuracy in an October 13, 2022, article, “North Vancouver Election 2022: Traffic congestion, development dominate debate,” published by the Vancouver Sun.

The article outlined key issues ahead of the municipal elections for Vancouver’s North Shore communities, including debate surrounding housing, infrastructure, and taxes.

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2022-62: Robinson-Houweling v Northern News Services Ltd.

December 10, 2022 – – for immediate release

The National NewsMedia Council considered and dismissed a complaint about the identification of a witness in a September 21, 2022, news article, “Eyewitness gives account of homicide at Aurora Pointe,” published by Northern News Services Ltd.

The article reported on a fatal incident at a Yellowknife apartment complex. It included an account of the incident from a witness at the scene.

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2022-47: Fantino v Globe and Mail

December 19, 2022 – – for immediate release

The National NewsMedia Council found that corrective action was taken to address a complaint about
accuracy in a May 9, 2022, obituary, “Gifted magazine writer Gerald Hannon was no stranger to
controversy,” published by the Globe and Mail.

The obituary recounted a number of stories penned by the deceased magazine writer, including a 1995
Globe and Mail feature, “The Kiddie Porn Ring That Wasn’t,” about an investigation into a child
pornography ring in London, Ontario.

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2022-65: Regier v National Post

November 22, 2022 – for immediate release

The National NewsMedia Council has considered and dismissed a complaint about a lack of disclosure regarding a conflict of interest in an August 13, 2022, opinion column, “Donald Trump will be a successful president again,” published by the National Post.

In his column, Conrad Black argued that the former U.S. president was a “very effective and successful president and will probably be so again,” despite attempts to “derail him by manipulating the rancidly corrupt American criminal justice system.”

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2022-68: Harrison v SooToday

November 8, 2022 – for immediate release

The National NewsMedia Council has dismissed a complaint about use of sensitive photographs in an October 3, 2022, article, “Fatality reported in weekend Highway 17 crash,” published by SooToday.

The article reported on a three-vehicle collision that resulted in the death of an 81-year-old man. Aerial photographs showed the damaged vehicles and first responders at the scene of the accident.

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2022-20: Huyer vs Toronto Sun

May 7, 2022 – for immediate release

The National NewsMedia Council has considered and upheld a complaint about an issue of accuracy in a February 18, 2022 article “Emergencies Act regulations ban protests except for Indigenous or refugees,” published by the Toronto Sun.

The article stated that specific groups of people, including Indigenous peoples and refugees, were exempt from the prohibition on participating in banned protests as part of the federal government’s activation of the Emergencies Act. In particular, the article states that “Under the provisions of the Emergencies Act invoked by the Trudeau government, protests can be banned in certain areas and for most people — but not for First Nations or refugees to Canada.”

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2022-28: Lopes vs Voice of Pelham

April 14, 2022 – for immediate release

The National NewsMedia Council dismissed a complaint about bias and the use of inappropriate language in a March 20 letter to the editor published by the Voice of Pelham.

The letter was published in response to an opinion column that argued that the Canadian flag had been “captured” by protesters during the recent “Freedom Convoy” in Ottawa. The letter writer praised the column and expressed strongly-worded criticism against the protesters.

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