The Supreme Court of British Columbia is currently deciding whether Olivia Pratten’s inability to access the identity and medical records of her unwitting biological father—a sperm donor 28 years ago—violates her constitutional rights to “life, liberty, and security of person.” Pratten, a reporter for the Canadian Press, sued to[Read More…]
Opinion
Opinions from our editorial board and contributors.
Source confidentiality must be protected
McGill Tribune Last Friday, the Supreme Court of Canada outlined certain principles for assessing cases in which journalists in Quebec are asked to reveal the identities of anonymous sources they use in gathering sensitive information. The Tribune feels it is vital to the public interest that reporters are able to[Read More…]
Freeing Demasduit
McGill Tribune Demasduit was 23 when she saw her husband die. In 1819, Newfoundland colonists raided her village and took her captive. They shot her husband before her eyes, leaving her newborn child to die. Eventually the colonists tried to return Demasduit to her people, but could not find them.[Read More…]
The enjoyment ethic
You are familiar with the words usually attributed to Bob Marley: “In every life we have some trouble/ But when you worry, you make it double/ Don’t worry, be happy.” This famous line—adopted as a mantra by stoners everywhere—was actually written by an early 20th century Indian mystic named Meher[Read More…]
The library stampede
McGill Tribune The Library Stampede kicks off when you wake up. After slamming your alarm clock you stumble groggily from bed, glaring around the room, daring anything or anyone to mention something about good sleep leading to good grades. The glorious image of an open, spacious library spot—plug-in included—begins to[Read More…]
Buying all (anti-Muslim) bigots!
McGill Tribune I do not expect corporate media outlets to report “facts” without exaggerating them, cherry-picking them, “misprinting” and later retracting them, or making them up entirely. I do, however, expect these outlets and their celebrity reporters to at least publicly pretend they lack a double standard. How foolish of[Read More…]
New committee a victory for students
McGill Tribune There is a brand new committee at McGill: the Student Consultation and Communication Work Group. Created by Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning) Morton Mendelson, the group’s mandate is to “broadly consider, and make recommendations about, the methods used to consult and communicate with our students.” At least[Read More…]
Under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh
Umbrellas amaze me. They’re just one of those inventions that make you stop and wonder. They aren’t as mind-blowing as, say, photocopiers—they staple and collate!—or mirrors that don’t fog up in the shower. But still, umbrellas are awesome. For one thing, there’s their ubiquity. I always thought that the inevitable[Read More…]
Obama harshing on my mellow
Reclining on my couch a few nights ago after a long day at the Trib office, I exhaled deeply upon reading the news that the Obama Administration will continue enforcing federal drug laws in the state of California even if its voters next month pass Proposition 19. If passed, this[Read More…]
Discipline and punish
Last summer, while casually lounging with my friends on a bench in Washington Square Park after a night of partying in New York’s East Village, I came face to face with three policemen hovering over us. “What are you doing here?” one of them said. “We are just sitting,” I[Read More…]
