Banning media coverage of ethics probes a bad idea, openness groups say
OTTAWA — Pro-transparency groups are panning the new federal ethics watchdog’s suggestion that he should be able to prevent the media from reporting on his investigations.
In testimony at a House of Commons committee this week, conflict of interest and ethics commissioner Mario Dion said that for many Canadians an allegation against a public office holder is akin to a finding of wrongdoing.
Dion floated the notion he be given authority to issue confidentiality orders to stop parliamentarians from talking about a complaint and to prevent media outlets from reporting on it.
Weakening transparency and keeping Canadians in the dark won’t solve the problem Dion identifies, said Duncan Pike, co-director of Canadian Journalists for Free Expression.