[Canada] Canadian Politics Redux

[Malthus]

About what? 

The escrow account for Somali crack dealers.

Assume you are a journalist.

How exactly would you protect yourself if you wanted to get this story? Would you just hand over 200K to some drug dealing dudes on their say-so? Perhaps in unmarked, used bills?

[Barrister]

About what? 

The escrow account for Somali crack dealers.

Assume you are a journalist.

How exactly would you protect yourself if you wanted to get this story? Would you just hand over 200K to some drug dealing dudes on their say-so? Perhaps in unmarked, used bills?

Which is why none of the journalists did pay the dude when first approached.

But clearly somali crack dealer isn't going to deal with lawyers and escrow.  He wants cash.  The "guarantee of authenticity" was letting the journalist view the video before purchasing it.

[HVC]

Can a lawyer pay out the escrow for an illegal activity. As far as I know taping someone for finacial gain without their knowledge and consent is illegal in Canada.

Is a journalist paying an informant illegal?

The people organizing this sure don't act like they are committing an illegal act - it could not be more public.

but a newspaper could pay and refuse to name, but I don't think a lawyer can. If its for an illegal service then their hands are tied, right?

But BB says its ok, we'll kind of.

[Malthus]

About what? 

The escrow account for Somali crack dealers.

Assume you are a journalist.

How exactly would you protect yourself if you wanted to get this story? Would you just hand over 200K to some drug dealing dudes on their say-so? Perhaps in unmarked, used bills?

Which is why none of the journalists did pay the dude when first approached.

Well, and that they wanted a million dollars at first, which few journalists keep handy in their wallets. 

But clearly somali crack dealer isn't going to deal with lawyers and escrow.  He wants cash.  The "guarantee of authenticity" was letting the journalist view the video before purchasing it.

And there is the problem. No-one is (I assume) going to be dumb enough to just pay in cash for some video without any ability to verify. "Yup, looks okay to me" simply isn't good enough these days, when fakery is so very easy.

[Malthus]

Can a lawyer pay out the escrow for an illegal activity. As far as I know taping someone for finacial gain without their knowledge and consent is illegal in Canada.

Is a journalist paying an informant illegal?

The people organizing this sure don't act like they are committing an illegal act - it could not be more public.

but a newspaper could pay and refuse to name, but I don't think a lawyer can. If its for an illegal service then their hands are tied, right?

But BB says its ok, we'll kind of.

Allegedly, the guy (if Ford) who was videotaped knew he was being taped, and mugged for the camera - including making off-colour comments about Justin Trudeau.

Not sure if selling such a tape would be illegal. It depicts an illegal activity (allegedly).

[Barrister]

Can a lawyer pay out the escrow for an illegal activity. As far as I know taping someone for finacial gain without their knowledge and consent is illegal in Canada.

Is a journalist paying an informant illegal?

The people organizing this sure don't act like they are committing an illegal act - it could not be more public.

but a newspaper could pay and refuse to name, but I don't think a lawyer can. If its for an illegal service then their hands are tied, right?

But BB says its ok, we'll kind of.

Allegedly, the guy (if Ford) who was videotaped knew he was being taped, and mugged for the camera - including making off-colour comments about Justin Trudeau.

Not sure if selling such a tape would be illegal. It depicts an illegal activity (allegedly).

Didn't the video supposedly end with the guy saying "you better not be taping this"?

[Josephus]

Yes, it allegedly does end with Ford saying that.

[Malthus]

Can a lawyer pay out the escrow for an illegal activity. As far as I know taping someone for finacial gain without their knowledge and consent is illegal in Canada.

Is a journalist paying an informant illegal?

The people organizing this sure don't act like they are committing an illegal act - it could not be more public.

but a newspaper could pay and refuse to name, but I don't think a lawyer can. If its for an illegal service then their hands are tied, right?

But BB says its ok, we'll kind of.

Allegedly, the guy (if Ford) who was videotaped knew he was being taped, and mugged for the camera - including making off-colour comments about Justin Trudeau.

Not sure if selling such a tape would be illegal. It depicts an illegal activity (allegedly).

Didn't the video supposedly end with the guy saying "you better not be taping this"?

Depends on how it is said. Jokingly, it can mean the exact opposite - that he knows he's being taped and that it's a bad idea (but being stoned, he thinks it is funny). 

It isn't clear friom what I read that he's being taped without his knowledge.

[viper37]

Is a journalist paying an informant illegal?

Not illegal, but probably against their code of ethics.  In Quebec at least, it is "forbidden" by their professional order.  The quotes are because everyone knows they'll do it and there's no penalty for doing it.

[Josephus]

The Toronto Star has stated that they do not pay for information. It's against its policy.

[viper37]

The Toronto Star has stated that they do not pay for information. It's against its policy.

if they think they can get away with it, they'll do it.  Had he asked 2500$ for the tape, they would have made the check.

[crazy canuck]

And there is the problem. No-one is (I assume) going to be dumb enough to just pay in cash for some video without any ability to verify. "Yup, looks okay to me" simply isn't good enough these days, when fakery is so very easy.

The Somali drug dealers must have thought that if the reporter was dumb enough to report what he saw on their video as truth without authenticating the video then the reporter would also be dumb enough to hand over cash without verifying the authenticity of the video.

What the Somali drug dealers missed is that there was no harm to the reporter if he reported something he didnt bother to authenticate - that falls squarely on the shoulders of the person who is the subject of the story.  And since no one likes Ford then who cares whether it ever gets authenticated.  Right Jos?

[crazy canuck]

Is a journalist paying an informant illegal?

Not illegal, but probably against their code of ethics.

I dont think so. 

[Jacob]

...since no one likes Ford then who cares whether it ever gets authenticated.

You seem to like him

[crazy canuck]

...since no one likes Ford then who cares whether it ever gets authenticated.

You seem to like him

What gives you that impression.