The growing threat to freedom of expression brought journalists and academics from across Canada to Ottawa Nov. 1-3 for a conference jointly sponsored by CAUT and Canada's largest union of media workers, the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada.
After hearing what is happening in newsrooms and campuses across North America in the aftermath of Sept. 11 and as a result of commercialization and concentration of media ownership, delegates voted unanimously for a statement calling on CAUT and CEP to "work together to promote and defend freedom of expression, including academic and journalistic freedom."
Specific provisions called for the defence of journalists from undue commercial and political pressures, promotion of public service values and a diversity of voices in the media, and for support for adequate public funding for academic research to maintain its independence and integrity.
Delegates also called for the two organizations to develop practical mechanisms to rally support for journalists or academics whose freedom of expression is threatened or denied.
Aidan White, general secretary of the International Federation of Journalists, welcomed delegates' call for the IFJ, Educational International and Public Service International to convene an international meeting next year to explore ways of providing more effective international protection of freedom of expression for journalists, academics and public servants.
John Baglow, a regional executive vice-president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, urged that the defence of freedom of expression be expanded to "reclaim our public space." Conference delegates agreed, calling for CAUT and CEP to work with other groups in the defence of freedom of expression, civil liberties and fundamental human rights.
CAUT president Victor Catano and CEP media vice-president Peter Murdoch agreed to take the conference resolution to their organizations' governing bodies for ratification and to meet again within six months to discuss other joint actions.