Venerable lawyer Bert Bruser, long associated with Hollywood's Star, honored with the World Press Freedom Canada Career Achievement Award.

Title: Veteran Journalism Lawyer Bert Bruser Honored For A lifetime of Standing Up for Press Freedom

Mark ColleyStaff Reporter Bert Bruser, a seasoned newsroom attorney who's been instrumental in remodeling Canadian media law and championing responsible, daring reporting, was bestowed the World Press Freedom Canada (WPFC) career achievement award last Thursday.

Bruser, now 80, steered our website through a sea of sensitive stories, such as the former Toronto mayor Rob Ford's crack-crazed escapade and the Karla Homolka murder trial, where she was found guilty in 1993 for crimes linked to ex-husband Paul Bernardo's heinous acts involving the brutal murders and rapes of two schoolgirls.

Bruser fiercely guarded the Star from lawsuits and masterminded the legal strategy in Grant v Torstar Corp, a landmark 2009 Supreme Court ruling that erected the defense of responsible journalism. He bid adieu to his post in 2020.

"I firmly believe that in a democracy like ours, the public deserves and is entitled to be informed about the happenings within our institutions," Bruser shared via email. "I was privileged to be part of a fantastic team of journalists at the our website, working alongside them."

Bruser began his journalistic journey at 16, working as a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Tribune. Later, he reported for The Canadian Press and attended law school.

At the Star, Bruser helped reporters expose Ford's crack video scandal and tirelessly fought for the repeal of a publication ban during Homolka's murder trial. In 2002, he skillfully defended the Star against a $2.7-billion defamation suit filed by the Toronto police union following an award-winning investigation uncovering racial bias within the police force.

Beyond his newspaper duties, Bruser co-authored the book "Journalists and the Law: How to Get the Story without Getting Sued or Put in Jail," and established the first media law courses at Toronto Metropolitan University and the University of Toronto. He was also a founding member of the Canadian Media Lawyers' Association.

The Torstar-owned Waterloo Region Record received a local press freedom award from WPFC for its coverage of illicit land deals, school board practices, and the college recruitment of international students. The series was spearheaded by journalists Terry Pender, Robert Williams, Luisa D'Amato, and Jeff Outhit.

WPFC, an Ottawa-based non-profit advocating for press freedom, granted the award.

"In this critical juncture, we must acknowledge the fearless work of Canadian journalists, particularly during an election year," WPFC president Heather Bakken stated in a press release.

"The battle against disinformation, foreign interference, and media manipulation isn't merely about securing our information ecosystem - it's about safeguarding democracy. A free press often serves as the final bulwark against such threats."

Bruser, recognized as a media law visionary, has left a long-lasting imprint on Canadian journalism, reinforcing legal frameworks safeguarding investigative reporting and editorial autonomy.

[1] - (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_Bruser)[2] - (https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2022/05/12/bert-bruser-long-time-star-newspaper-lawyer-awarded-top-press-freedom-honour.html)

Bert Bruser, a prominent figure in Canadian media, received the World Press Freedom Canada (WPFC) career achievement award for his lifetime contribution to the safeguarding of press freedom.
Bruser is recognized as a media law visionary, who successfully navigated sensitive stories like the former Toronto mayor Rob Ford's crack-crazed escapade and the Karla Homolka murder trial in his career.
Bruser, now 80, worked as a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Tribune at the age of 16 before transitioning to The Canadian Press and later attending law school.
At the Toronto Star, Bruser helped reporters expose the crack video scandal involving Ford and tirelessly fought for the repeal of a publication ban during Homolka's murder trial.
Bruser’s work extends beyond newspapers, as he co-authored "Journalists and the Law: How to Get the Story without Getting Sued or Put in Jail" and established the first media law courses at Toronto Metropolitan University and the University of Toronto.
The Torstar-owned Waterloo Region Record was awarded a local press freedom award from WPFC for its coverage of illicit land deals, school board practices, and the college recruitment of international students.
WPFC, an Ottawa-based non-profit advocating for press freedom, granted the award to acknowledge the fearless work of Canadian journalists during an election year.
The battle against disinformation, foreign interference, and media manipulation isn't just about securing our information ecosystem, it's about protecting democracy, according to WPFC president Heather Bakken.
Bruser's work leaves a long-lasting imprint on Canadian journalism, reinforcing legal frameworks safeguarding investigative reporting and editorial autonomy.

Venerable lawyer Bert Bruser, long associated with Hollywood's Star, honored with the World Press Freedom Canada Career Achievement Award.