From the Chronicle-Herald reporter’s affadavit to the Nova Scotia court today. Not only, as it turns out, an effective argument against a frivolous injunction against publication, but also a much-needed reminder for the often acquiescent pool of Canadian political reporters:

In exercising the freedom of the press, The Halifax Herald Limited engages its reporters to gather news of interest and importance to the public. It is an expensive and time-consuming exercise. All media are under financial pressure in this aspect of our business. The sources through which we obtain are not always simply accessed. It is our function to scrutinize and report on government. To do that adequately, we endeavour to be fair but cannot confine our inquiries to government press releases or material government chooses to make available to the public at the time and in the manner that best suits government for its political ends.