CJOB News Team reporting
7/4/2012
A lawyer for the Manitoba Government and Employees Union says changes in the media need to be considered in Commissioner Ted Hughes' decision on whether or not to impose a publication ban on the identities of social workers during the Phoenix Sinclair Inquiry.
Garth Smorang argued the media of 2012 has changed significantly because of the Internet.
Smorang says the comment features underneath internet articles would allow for defamatory comments to be published about social workers, who would become game for the "bloody minded".
He also argued that the media now allows "truth and accuracy to take a back seat to the sensationalization of stories and the laying of blame".
Lawyers for the media will have the opportunity to respond and argue against the publication ban.
Smorang also argued that disclosing social worker identities would seriously interfere with their ability to do their jobs because they need to be able to create a trusting relationship with families in scenarios that are often negative and hostile. He said there would be an increased risk if they were to be recognized as involved with the Phoenix Sinclair case.
The final decision will be revealed July 12.
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