Sad day for free expression in Canada

[ARMY_101]

http://www.danieldickin.ca/

Jury rules in favour of Warman in Warman v. Fournier and Does
This just in: the jury has ruled in favour of Richard Warman in the case of Warman v. Fournier & Does.

After days of deliberations, the jury found that Mark and Connie Fournier, the operators of the conservative discussion forum Free Dominion, did not remove posts allegedly libeling Warman "fast enough."

For the statement of claim which started this case, back in 2007, see here.

For a great day-by-day summary of the trial, see here.

For more information on Warman, see here.

Stay tuned for updates as more becomes available.

Update: 8:01pm commenters are claiming that Warman was awarded $42,000, which included "substantial punitive damages."

 

[pbi]

On the face of it, this certainly doesn't seem very good for free expression in Canada, but it's really a bit difficult to make much of a judgememt from the sources you've provided.

The

great day-by-day summary of the trial, s

isn't really useful: it's more of a rambling, disorganized chit-chat about everything under the sun including peoples' fashion choices, how jurors relate to each other, and all of the boring but necessary little routine and protocols that happen in a civil case courtroom.

A sharp, concise summary of the evidence and the decision would support your case more effectively.

The story seems to be a complicated one, and Mr Warman may not exactly be a snowy-white angel. That said, I'm not 100% clear on the point that you're raising. Is it about libel laws, or the CHRC, or Mr Warman himself? ???

 

[ARMY_101]

I'm saddened that a SLAPP lawsuit has succeeded; that a third party has been held financially liable for the comments of some other, anonymous person; that there was never a chance for the defences of truth or fair comment to be raised; and so on.  This case took six years, and Warman (who, if I understand correctly, is also a DND employee working for DGCFGA) has pursued numerous other lawsuits against this couple and against other conservative-minded bloggers, columnists, and authors.

Part of the irony here is that Warman has sued so many political commentators, journalists, and media types that no one wants to comment on the result of this case. One poorly chosen word and Warman will sue the person for libel!

 

[George Wallace]

Indeed, over the past decade or two, Mr Warman has been involved in several Court cases on these matters.  For the most part they have gone unnoticed by the general public.  For those that are interested in his courtroom maneuvers, they can be found simply by Googling his name.

 

[ARMY_101]

As well: http://www.amazon.ca/Shakedown-Government-Undermining-Democracy-Rights/dp/0771046189/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381073124&sr=8-1&keywords=ezra+levant+shakedown

 

[Edward Campbell]

The important lesson from this case is for Army.ca members: if we, you and I, post incorrect, defamatory or libelous comments or articles here, then the victim of those comments may sue Mike Bobbitt who owns Army.ca and they may win in court. The same might apply to comments or articles which can be considered hateful or even just hurtful.

Mike Bobbitt has been threatened with legal action by someone who a) took exception to comments made here, third hand, about him b) would likely have taken legal action had Army.ca not tightened its posting rules and standards.

Mike Bobbitt has a team of dedicated moderators who enforce standards of care for what we all post because it is his bank account, his home, indeed, which is put at risk if we break the Conduct Guidelines.

I sincerely hope every single member has read, understood and regularly considers those guidelines and the Tone and Conduct guidance, too.

 

[ARMY_101]

Here's more information on the allegations and the answers from the jury.

 

[Scott]

The important lesson from this case is for Army.ca members: if we, you and I, post incorrect, defamatory or libelous comments or articles here, then the victim of those comments may sue Mike Bobbitt who owns Army.ca and they may win in court. The same might apply to comments or articles which can be considered hateful or even just hurtful.

Mike Bobbitt has been threatened with legal action by someone who a) took exception to comments made here, third hand, about him b) would likely have taken legal action had Army.ca not tightened its posting rules and standards.

Mike Bobbitt has a team of dedicated moderators who enforce standards of care for what we all post because it is his bank account, his home, indeed, which is put at risk if we break the Conduct Guidelines.

I sincerely hope every single member has read, understood and regularly considers those guidelines and the Tone and Conduct guidance, too.

I'm glad this was referenced here. Thanks, Edward.

 

[ARMY_101]

Renowned conservative commentator and journlist Ezra Levant is in court today, also defending his right to free expression and fair comment.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/10/14/exceedingly-political-libel-case-pits-free-speech-advocate-ezra-levant-against-master-of-lawfare/

http://www.standwithezra.ca/

 

[Lightguns]

Hopfully Mr. Levant will prevail.

 

[ModlrMike]

Ezra Levant vs Clayton Ruby and family. This should be interesting.