It’s no secret that Alberta has entered one of its most divisive political moments.
The uproar of Albertans who are vying to separate from Canada has resulted in the proposal of a nine-question referendum this coming October, which will test an individual’s ability to critically engage with the ramifications separation may have on their lives.
In this period of uncertainty and disinformation, Alberta enters what is coined as a “post-truth” world; one wherein emotion and irrationality takes the reins of socio-political conversations.
As Cambridge Dictionary defines post-truth as, “relating a situation in which people are more likely to accept an argument based on their emotions and beliefs, rather than facts.”
In light of this; journalists, educators and media organizations are found to be the subject of legal threats simply due to the content that they report on. More often than not, facts and figures are getting buried in lawsuits that are served by both larger corporations and political parties to prevent these public servants from administering the truth.
Media companies like Global News’ parent company Corus Entertainment Inc. are consolidating their Alberta offices, and local stations like Calgary’s 660 NewsRadio are forced to shut down at the decision of a major media conglomerate like Rogers to render the truth as no longer publicly accessible. Instead, access to information is now a privilege to be obtained by those who can afford it, but more importantly, control it.
Right now independent media organizations, press freedom groups and leading academics are leading the charge against efforts to silence these people by proposing an Anti-SLAPP Legislation.
Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) is a claim which has the ability to serve media outlets or individuals with legal action over their reporting. Anti-SLAPP legislation not only has the ability to protect independent writers and media creators from financial strain or legal suppression, but it gives society the chance to take back control over what kind of information they choose to engage with.
The Gauntlet as an editorial team and publication society has chosen to co-sign an open letter to reaffirm their vow to both the University of Calgary student body and the public that what is reported and published is truthful, fair and written with integrity. In Alberta where journalism programs are few and far between, organizations like the Gauntlet and the Gateway become the training ground for up-and-coming journalists to hone their skills and understand what it means to fight for the truth and advocate for democracy.
Anti-SLAPP Legislation has been implemented in provinces all over Canada, so why not introduce it in Alberta? The poisoned pen that the Government of Alberta used to write nonsensical bills is the same pen used by the larger companies that signs the lawsuits to drown out the journalists, creators, writers, unions and citizens.
Anti-SLAPP Legislation gives these people a fighting chance against those who are spinning a narrative solely around moral panic and discomfort.
The fundamental freedom to share information has been denied time and time again as the rights and livelihoods of Albertans become increasingly ambiguous. The legislation is intended to break through the ambiguity and amplify the voices of those who are willing to share the truth with those who need to hear it.
You can read the full open letter the Gauntlet signed onto here.
