The Media Often Gets Criminal Law Wrong

I wrote a series of articles last summer on Canadaland’s dismal attempt to trash one of this country’s most important and valued charities. Today, I am posting an example of a piece where a Canadaland writer got the story right.

Mainstream media portrayed a recent Ontario Court of Appeal decision as a license for drunks to commit sexual assault. In this Canadaland piece, law student Vanshika Dhawan clearly explains the Court of Appeal’s decision, the logic behind it, and the false spin given to the case.

I am writing a legal handbook for journalists and journalism students that will help prevent misinterpretation of these kinds of decisions. Dhawan’s piece should inspire corrections from the media outlets that got it wrong. But I won’t hold my breath.