(OTTAWA) The global rise in disinformation is threatening national institutions and processes that support democracy, the Chief Justice of Canada’s Supreme Court has warned.
Richard Wagner said in a speech on Wednesday that people around the world have increasingly polarized ideas about what is true.
Wagner told a conference hosted by the Canadian Bar Association that exposure to misinformation can increase political cynicism, alter voting patterns and distort national debates on important issues.
He pointed out that misinformation in Canada can threaten public health and safety, as well as the legitimacy of democratic processes, according to researchers.
This global rise in misinformation is related to the global assault on democracy and the rule of law.
Richard Wagner, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada
Wagner said he and others at a session of Canada’s Judiciary Council in April discussed these threats to democracy and the rule of law.
“We agreed that the judiciary has a role to play in addressing these trends,” he said.
A strong democracy depends on Canadians having access to diverse and reliable sources of information so that they can form opinions and participate productively in public debate, the Chief Justice argued.
Fewer journalists in the courtyards
Earlier in the year, Mr. Wagner attended a conference that brought together judges and court communications officials from across Canada.
“They were asked if they noticed that fewer journalists covered their dishes. Everyone raised their hands, including representatives from Canada’s Supreme Court,” Mr. Wagner said.
“Journalists are not responsible for this trend. There are simply fewer journalists, fewer resources, and they all have to feed the news machine 24/7 across multiple media platforms. »
Mr. Wagner has always emphasized the importance of helping Canadians understand the work of the Supreme Court through initiatives such as publishing clearly worded summaries of decisions and relocating the Court to Ottawa, Quebec and Winnipeg.
The importance of the media
Manitoba Court of King’s Bench Presiding Judge Glenn Joyal said in a panel discussion at the conference that protecting the rule of law depends on maintaining public trust.
“We have an interest in doing everything in our power to achieve that goal,” he said. This is where the media come in.”
Mr Joyal said it is his responsibility as Chief Justice to ensure media representatives have everything they need to report information, educate the public and play a constructive role in scrutinizing the work of the courts.
“And all of this, if done right, I think will help build public confidence in what we’re doing,” he said.
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