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In Canada, Criminal Libel Charges Laid For Criticizing Police

Posted by timothy on from the buncha-hosers-you-say? dept.

BitterOak writes "A Calgary man is facing criminal charges of libel for criticizing police. According to the story, the RCMP have filed five charges against John Kelly for claiming on his website that Calgary police officers engaged in perjury, corruption, and obstruction of justice. What makes the story unusual is that the charges are criminal and not civil. Even in Canada, which has much less free speech protection than the United States, it is extremely rare for people to be charged criminally with libel. It is almost always matter for civil courts."

3 of 383 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Less protection for free speech? by commodore64_love · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    >>>In Canada, I can watch uncut movies on public air broadcast channels that contain violence and nudity. In the US, your broadcasts are under a required broadcast delay and censored when deemed inappropriate. Who in this case has more freedom of speech?
    >>>

    Yeah that is bullshit (and unconstitutional). The argument dating to the 1920s was that children needed to be protected from curse words on the radio and tv. I guess everyone forgets that children eventually grow-up, and then they don't want to be censored by the Nanny Government. - Fortunately 70% of americans are now hooked to Cable TV, which has no government censorship.

    --
    "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall
  2. Re:Less protection for free speech? by commodore64_love · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    >>>Quebec men prefer pussies, you like cocks?

    I have to admit when I traveled to Nouveau Brunswick and some cute girl started talking to me in French, I was instantly smitten. ;-)

    --
    "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall
  3. Re:Less protection for free speech? by commodore64_love · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    >>>Or, looking at it another way, a single language was used to enforce the control of a privileged minority who trampled the rights and freedoms of people across an entire continent.

    True, but by 200 AD everyone was a Roman citizen regardless if they were in Rome or 1000 miles away in Britain. That unity & sharing of ideas via a universal tongue allowed them to enjoy a prosperity never seen before, or afterwards (dark ages)

    --
    "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall