Justin Brake
@justinbrake.bsky.social
📤 5171
📥 153
📝 89
He/him. Journalist. Settler. Future ancestor. Born 338 ppm. EIC
@independentnl.bsky.social
🫐
Here's my first story as Atlantic Investigative Reporter for
@ricochetmedia.bsky.social
&
@independentnl.bsky.social
add a skeleton here at some point
about 22 hours ago
1
9
7
We're only giving away 15 tote bags, so don't miss out!
add a skeleton here at some point
6 days ago
0
1
1
reposted by
Justin Brake
Joy SpearChief-Morris
8 days ago
A look into how the RCMP set up a spy operation on Indigenous organizations in the 1970s by CBC's Brett Forester
www.cbc.ca/news/indigen...
loading . . .
How RCMP spies infiltrated the 1970s Indigenous rights movement | CBC News
A CBC Indigenous investigation has found the Cold War-era RCMP Security Service had a widespread and intrusive surveillance operation targeting at least 30 legitimate Indigenous political organization...
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/rcmp-spies-1970s-indigenous-rights-9.7134112
0
43
17
reposted by
Justin Brake
Unrigged
7 days ago
TONIGHT
@independentnl.bsky.social
presents 'Ready or not, AI is HERE' hosted by editor-in-chief
@justinbrake.bsky.social
in conversation with
@techwontsave.us
host
@parismarx.com
at Corner Brook's Rotary Arts Centre in Newfoundland and Labrador. Watch online at
riverside.com/studio/ready...
1
2
1
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
7 days ago
INTERVIEW: Avi Lewis wants to fight fascists, create a national non-profit grocery chain & reinvigorate our political imagination. He’s got a detailed plan for accomplishing these things, and it’s one he thinks will resonate with Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
theindependent.ca/news/lji/int...
loading . . .
INTERVIEW: Avi Lewis says N.L. is ‘ground zero’ for the biggest challenges facing Canadians – The Independent
The federal NDP candidate says socialism and economic populism are the antidote to unfettered capitalism and the ‘epic market failures’ it has brought
https://theindependent.ca/news/lji/interview-avi-lewis-says-n-l-is-ground-zero-for-the-biggest-challenges-facing-canadians/
1
48
17
Tonight! 7-9 p.m. Newfoundland time / 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. ET Join virtually here:
riverside.com/studio/ready...
7 days ago
0
1
2
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
8 days ago
LISTEN: Journalists and
#pressfreedom
advocates discuss the
@amberbracken.bsky.social
/
@thenarwhal.ca
v. RCMP trial in BC and what it means for press freedom in Canada and the public's right to know. (Transcript also available.)
theindependent.ca/news/listen-...
loading . . .
LISTEN: Justin Brake talks Amber Bracken case & press freedom on CBC Radio's 'The Signal' (with TRANSCRIPT) – The Independent
An hour-long conversation led by CBC Radio host Adam Walsh, feat. Justin Brake, Geoff Budden, Karyn Pugliese, Brent Jolly and Ethan Cox
https://theindependent.ca/news/listen-justin-brake-talks-amber-bracken-case-press-freedom-on-cbc-radios-the-signal-with-transcript/
0
7
3
Indigenous academics rally behind ‘pretendian’ researcher found guilty of defamation
www.aptnnews.ca/featured/ind...
loading . . .
Indigenous academics rally behind Leroux after defamation loss
High-profile Indigenous scholars signal their support for University of Ottawa researcher Darryl Leroux found liable for defamation
https://www.aptnnews.ca/featured/indigenous-academics-rally-behind-pretendian-researcher-found-guilty-of-defamation/
11 days ago
0
7
5
“[The company] can make it seem safe. They can make it seem a lot of things. I think this will be the end of the harbour and any natural thing for us," says Valerie Walsh of Fermeuse. "There will be no whales coming in anymore, no puffins, no fishery, no boats, no anything."
#LNG
#Fermeuse
#nlpoli
add a skeleton here at some point
12 days ago
0
3
1
For the first time ever, NL's Chief Medical Examiner is collecting data on gambling as a risk factor in suicides in this province. Thank you to Rob Csernyik for continuing to follow this important story. Our province and the Atlantic Lottery Corp. profit off gambling, but at what cost?
#nlpoli
add a skeleton here at some point
13 days ago
0
2
3
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
14 days ago
Days after The Independent broke a story about the apparent use of
#artificialintelligence
in a government-commissioned healthcare report, the province added safeguards to its public procurement process in an effort to mitigate risks associated with the use of
#AI
.
theindependent.ca/news/lji/pro...
loading . . .
Province updated public procurement process days after Deloitte AI scandal exposed – The Independent
Proponents and suppliers are now required to disclose any intended use of AI before the government will award a contract
https://theindependent.ca/news/lji/province-updated-public-procurement-process-days-after-deloitte-ai-scandal-exposed/
1
4
4
reposted by
Justin Brake
Adrian Harewood
16 days ago
LISTEN:
@ricochetmedia.bsky.social
podcast “#PressFreedom on Trial in Canada w/ the groundbreaking journalist
@justinbrake.bsky.social
A conversation about the
@amberbracken.bsky.social
&
@thenarwhal.ca
case vs. the
#RCMP
”
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/i...
loading . . .
Press Freedom on Trial in Canada w/ Justin Brake
Podcast Episode · In Bed with the Elephant · March 17 · 42m
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/in-bed-with-the-elephant/id1807424900?i=1000755675613
0
8
9
Here's my report on the Narwhal/Bracken v.
#RCMP
#pressfreedom
case in B.C. Lawyers on both sides are relying on the 2019 NL Court of Appeal decision in my case (the "Brake decision"). So I wanted to dig into how the RCMP interpreted & used it to justify jailing
@amberbracken.bsky.social
in 2021.
add a skeleton here at some point
20 days ago
0
4
1
reposted by
Justin Brake
Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ)
23 days ago
❗On Friday evening, the CAJ learned that journalist Rachel Gilmore had recently been approached in public by individuals linked to, or implicated in, an investigation she had written, and was published by The Tyee that focused on white nationalists.
https://loom.ly/z22FRzg
13
285
107
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
24 days ago
EVENT: 'Ready or not, AI is HERE' 💬 Stories & Conversation, feat. Indy Editor-in-Chief
@justinbrake.bsky.social
and tech journalist &
@techwontsave.us
host
@parismarx.com
March 25, 2026 @ 7-9 p.m. NDT More details below 👇
theindependent.ca/announcement...
loading . . .
EVENT: 'Ready or not, AI is HERE' – The Independent
Last November The Independent broke the story that a $1.6-million provincial healthcare report from accounting firm Deloitte contained AI-generated errors
https://theindependent.ca/announcements/event-ready-or-not-ai-is-here/
0
10
3
Rhea Rollmann argues
#InternationalWomensDay
#IWD2026
is not a day for celebration. Here's why 👇
theindependent.ca/commentary/t...
loading . . .
International Women’s Day is not a celebration – The Independent
How do we build a fighting feminist movement?
https://theindependent.ca/commentary/toast-and-tulips/international-womens-day-is-not-a-celebration/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQabsFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF2OHUycmtMYXpubkUwZWlOc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmNrSG1-bp4LL-dBbpOVOR7tAVfJ0PDDsdRqo05kelmgVk280Yu0riPeVI28_aem_TdnoaH7xInFEWFeHfXjaNA
24 days ago
0
5
3
NEW: Deloitte is being investigated by Newfoundland & Labrador's accounting watchdog over the firm's use of
#AI
in a $1.6-million government healtcare report that contains at least four fake citations
#artificialintelligence
#nlpoli
theindependent.ca/news/lji/acc...
loading . . .
Accounting watchdog to investigate Deloitte over fake citations in $1.6-million healthcare report – The Independent
Chartered Professional Accountants N.L. is leading the investigation after Deloitte admitted AI was involved
https://theindependent.ca/news/lji/accounting-watchdog-to-investigate-deloitte-over-fake-citations-in-1-6-million-healthcare-report/
25 days ago
1
25
17
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
26 days ago
"In today’s world of far-right conservative men waging war on women and other gender minorities, and with the past century’s human rights gains rapidly unraveling, there should be no illusions that we have time or cause to celebrate anything."
#IWD2026
theindependent.ca/commentary/t...
loading . . .
International Women’s Day is not a celebration – The Independent
How do we build a fighting feminist movement?
https://theindependent.ca/commentary/toast-and-tulips/international-womens-day-is-not-a-celebration/
0
6
7
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Walrus
28 days ago
With the sky warmed by the setting sun, the scene at the refugee camp
Michelle Shephard
visits in Adré, Chad appears almost bucolic. But just five kilometres away, the war in Sudan rages on, forcing thousands into life-threatening displacement.
https://thewalrus.ca/sudan-genocide/
1
14
7
"These deaths happened," says investigative journalist Nilo Tabrizy. "They’re important for us to investigate, and all of us should be interrogating what happened."
#Iran
www.democracynow.org/2026/3/4/nil...
loading . . .
Who Bombed Girls’ School in Iran? Reporter Nilo Tabrizy on What We Know About Massacre, 175 Killed
After a strike on a girls’ elementary school in Minab, Iran, killed at least 175 people, nearly all young schoolchildren, online reports spread disinformation about the attack, including claims that t...
https://www.democracynow.org/2026/3/4/nilo_tabrizy
28 days ago
0
1
1
"History is consistent: sustainable freedom is built by people who organize, strike, write, teach, and resist—not by foreign jets, sanctions regimes, or crowns," writes Sima Atri. "Iranians deserve more than a choice between destruction and dictatorship."
add a skeleton here at some point
28 days ago
0
29
11
The Tony Wakeham government quietly placed an asterisk next to its promise, ‘For all of us’
add a skeleton here at some point
29 days ago
0
1
0
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
30 days ago
N.L. NDP Leader Jim Dinn is calling on Progressive Conservative government to legislate wage increases
#nlpoli
theindependent.ca/news/lji/pcs...
loading . . .
PC's minimum wage increase 'far from a living wage,' says NDP leader – The Independent
NDP Leader Jim Dinn is calling on the PCs to legislate wage increases
https://theindependent.ca/news/lji/pcs-minimum-wage-increase-far-from-a-living-wage-says-ndp-leader/
1
6
5
reposted by
Justin Brake
Harbinger Media Network
about 1 month ago
Canada needs an independent podcast community. It's Day 15 of our Winter 2026 fundraising campaign help us reach our goal of 50 new Harbinger supporters. Challenge right-wing and corporate media - support socially and politically progressive Canadian podcasts at
harbingermedianetwork.com/join/
🔶️
0
7
5
reposted by
Justin Brake
Join our team! The Indy has a small, dedicated team of volunteers who selflessly make our work possible. If you have time (5-10 hours/month), skills and a burning desire to see independent journalism flourish in Newfoundland & Labrador, apply to join our Board of Directors!
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 month ago
0
3
4
“This war is a war of power, a war of resource and land grab, and it is nothing about democracy.” 'Why These Iranian-Canadians Strongly Oppose U.S.-Israeli Aggression' from
@readthemaple.com
#cdnpoli
www.readthemaple.com/why-these-ir...
loading . . .
Why These Iranian-Canadians Strongly Oppose U.S.-Israeli Aggression
“This war is a war of power, a war of resource and land grab, and it is nothing about democracy.”
https://www.readthemaple.com/why-these-iranian-canadians-strongly-oppose-u-s-israeli-aggression/
about 1 month ago
1
25
11
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
about 1 month ago
Today marks the 4th anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Since then, many Ukrainians have made NL home. Some, like Katarina Gavrilyuk & her family, have returned to Ukraine to visit family and friends. 🇺🇦 Read our Nov. 2025 story about that journey:
theindependent.ca/news/lji/ret...
loading . . .
Returning home brings mixed feelings for Ukrainians living in Newfoundland – The Independent
A recent visit home by a Ukrainian refugee living in St. John’s underscores the joys of her homeland amid the harsh reality of the ongoing war
https://theindependent.ca/news/lji/returning-home-brings-mixed-feelings-for-ukrainians-living-in-newfoundland/
0
2
1
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
about 1 month ago
"Each cut sends the same message, never stated outright but unmistakable: research not directly tied to immediate economic outcomes is dispensable." Read MUNL Philosophy Professor Sean McGrath's new op-ed in our 'State of the University' series 👇
theindependent.ca/commentary/c...
loading . . .
Slowly killing research at Memorial University – The Independent
A university is not its buildings, and it doesn’t exist to serve private-sector interests. It is about the pursuit of knowledge.
https://theindependent.ca/commentary/columns/state-of-the-university/slowly-killing-research-at-memorial-university/
0
6
4
Join our team! The Indy has a small, dedicated team of volunteers who selflessly make our work possible. If you have time (5-10 hours/month), skills and a burning desire to see independent journalism flourish in Newfoundland & Labrador, apply to join our Board of Directors!
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 month ago
0
3
4
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
about 1 month ago
A St. John’s woman is speaking out after facing online backlash and racism for criticizing the provincial government’s lacklustre acknowledgement of
#BlackHistoryMonth
.
#nlpoli
#BHM2026
theindependent.ca/news/lji/pcs...
loading . . .
PCs under fire for ‘disappointing’ treatment of Black History Month – The Independent
Celebrated Black community leader and anti-racism advocate target of racist comments after speaking out online
https://theindependent.ca/news/lji/pcs-under-fire-for-disappointing-treatment-of-black-history-month/
0
12
7
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Intercept
about 2 months ago
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: “I was literally begging the agent who was holding me back to let me do CPR,” she told The Intercept.
loading . . .
The Woman Alex Pretti Was Killed Trying to Defend Is an EMT. Federal Agents Stopped Her From Giving First Aid.
One of the women Alex Pretti was killed trying to defend is an EMT. Federal agents stopped her from giving him first aid.
https://interc.pt/4aNO9Q6
54
4358
2111
reposted by
Justin Brake
Katie Hyslop
about 2 months ago
Fun (?) fact: Justin was the subject of another major media freedom case in Canada in recent years for his coverage for
@independentnl.bsky.social
of Indigenous opposition to Muskrat Falls development in Labrador. He won, so why do police continue to arrest journalists?
rrj.ca/charged-jour...
add a skeleton here at some point
1
20
10
Quick update on the latter half of this week's proceedings from the BC Supreme Court in the Narwhal/Amber Bracken v. RCMP
#pressfreedom
trial in Vancouver. Stay tuned, there's lots more to come!
loading . . .
about 2 months ago
2
11
5
reposted by
Justin Brake
Ricochet Media
about 2 months ago
"The final fight for
#pressfreedom
begins here." The latest from
@justinbrake.bsky.social
covering
@thenarwhal.ca
and
@amberbracken.bsky.social
’s case against the RCMP. What’s at stake, what could happen next, and what has led to this moment? Follow us on TikTok!
www.tiktok.com/@ricochetmed...
loading . . .
The Narwhal and Amber Bracken’s case against the RCMP, explained. Reporter Justin Brake breaks down what’s at stake for press freedom in @The Narwhal’s historic trial against the RCMP, and everything ...
TikTok video by Ricochet Media
https://www.tiktok.com/@ricochetmedia/video/7603445608984218901
2
19
13
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
about 2 months ago
UPDATE: The Independent &
@cajournalists.bsky.social
submitted an application to the BC Supreme Court to obtain exhibits submitted by The Narwhal / Amber Bracken and the Crown / RCMP in the
#pressfreedom
case underway in Vancouver. Justice Diane MacDonald granted our request.
#cdnmedia
loading . . .
0
10
5
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
about 2 months ago
EXPLAINER: The significance of The Narwhal & Amber Bracken v. Attorney General of Canada et al. press freedom case.
loading . . .
1
18
11
reposted by
Justin Brake
🔫Scott Martin🛼
about 2 months ago
NEW: With the gutting of The Washington Post, we've entered a major change in the news media landscape. Large outlets are either die slowly or are funded explicitly to propagandize from the right. Despite fear mongering about a "free press" dying only in dictatorships, the culprits are capitalists.
loading . . .
Goodbye Washington Post, Hello State Propaganda
Neoliberalism has done what capitalist ideologues feared for decades
https://readthecatch.ca/goodbye-washington-post-hello-state-propaganda/
0
27
13
My Feb. 3 update on the Narwhal v. RCMP
#pressfreedom
case in Vancouver. On Tuesday, and for the rest of this week, the court will be hearing from RCMP officers involved in the raid of the tiny house at Coyote Camp in unceded Wet'suwet'en territory.
#cdnmedia
add a skeleton here at some point
about 2 months ago
0
10
7
reposted by
Justin Brake
PEN Canada
about 2 months ago
Did you know that there's a database of banned books across Canada? If you've heard of a ban, the
@cfetmu.bsky.social
encourage all libraries (public, school, academic, and government) in Canada to add it to this online resource by completing a simple form:
cfe.torontomu.ca/databases/ca...
loading . . .
The Canadian Library Challenges Database | Centre for Free Expression
The CFE-CFLA/FCAB Canadian Library Challenges Database provides access to challenges libraries have faced to items in their collection, and to displays, programs, room usage, and computer access.
https://cfe.torontomu.ca/databases/canadian-library-challenges-database
0
9
8
I'll be in Vancouver all week reporting on this landmark case for
#pressfreedom
in Canada. Sign up for
@independentnl.bsky.social
&
@ricochetmedia.bsky.social
's free newsletters and be notified when we publish articles about the case.
add a skeleton here at some point
about 2 months ago
2
21
11
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Narwhal
2 months ago
Carol Linnitt, co-founder and editor-in-chief, provides an update on The Narwhal’s court case against the RCMP. Amber Bracken finished cross-examination late Jan. 28. It took more than 12 hours. To learn more about the trial visit
www.thenarwhal.ca/press-freedom
loading . . .
0
174
76
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
2 months ago
Akinturk says she's glad extreme cases of Islamophobia are not common in NL. But when attacks happen in other parts of the country, it becomes a painful reminder that Islamophobia is real and must be addressed, she says. Read more 👇
theindependent.ca/news/lji/mus...
loading . . .
Muslim community commemorates 9th anniversary of Quebec City Mosque shooting – The Independent
Anti-hate advocates say there's still work to be done to combat Islamophobia in the province
https://theindependent.ca/news/lji/muslim-community-commemorates-9th-anniversary-of-quebec-city-mosque-shooting/
0
3
1
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
2 months ago
Where did this LNG announcement come from and what does it mean for the future of Fermeuse and Newfoundland's Southern Shore?
#LNG
#Fermeuse
#nlpoli
Read the full analysis from Eric Devine, Grace Fitzpatrick, Seamus MacKenzie & Angela Carter 👇
theindependent.ca/commentary/a...
loading . . .
An LNG future for Fermeuse? – The Independent
Proposal for massive liquefied natural gas hub exhumed on Newfoundland’s Southern Shore
https://theindependent.ca/commentary/analysis/an-lng-future-for-fermeuse/
0
4
3
At
@independentnl.bsky.social
, we take our name seriously. Wr have big plans for 2026, but we need your support! Sign up here:
theindependent.ca/support-us/
youtu.be/Kh_zBMVqQtg?...
loading . . .
'Imagine if we could do more': Justin Brake
YouTube video by The Independent NL
https://youtu.be/Kh_zBMVqQtg?si=10Pdq7YMYiiQW7r8
2 months ago
0
5
3
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
2 months ago
NL's new Progressive Conservative government is inviting public input ahead of the party's first provincial budget in more than a decade. But it isn't doing anything in an effort to bolster trend of poor public engagement.
#nlpoli
theindependent.ca/news/pcs-inv...
loading . . .
PCs invite public input ahead of Budget 2026 – The Independent
The coming provincial budget will be the Progressive Conservatives' first in more than a decade
https://theindependent.ca/news/pcs-invite-public-input-ahead-of-budget-2026/
0
2
1
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
2 months ago
Instead of throwing taxpayer subsidies at an incredibly profitable oil company like Equinor [...] surely using that money to help workers transition to job market realities is a far better use of public money," writes Angela Antle.
#nlpoli
#climate
#EnergyFutures
theindependent.ca/commentary/e...
loading . . .
Why taxpayer subsidies for Big Oil won’t create more jobs – The Independent
As Equinor delays Bay du Nord decision, report finds less than 1% of Canada’s jobs now in fossil fuels
https://theindependent.ca/commentary/energy-futures/why-taxpayer-subsidies-for-big-oil-wont-create-more-jobs/
1
17
12
Dan inspired me, like so many other reporters, after I joined APTN. He enriched both my career as a journalist and my life, and I'm so grateful for his years of support. Thank you, Dan. You will be missed.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvy4...
loading . . .
Esteemed journalist and APTN National News founding director Dan David passes away | APTN News
YouTube video by APTN News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvy4ZwR4ToM
2 months ago
0
5
1
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
3 months ago
Nasim Makaremi Nia’s new exhibit at The Rooms in St. John's tells a story of migration, transition, and identity in fantastic animal hybrids and beautifully fragile paper sculpture
#nlarts
theindependent.ca/news/lji/ent...
loading . . .
Entangled: Fragile and complex truths reflected in art – The Independent
Nasim Makaremi Nia’s new exhibit tells a story of migration, transition, and identity in fantastic animal hybrids and beautifully fragile paper sculpture
https://theindependent.ca/news/lji/entangled-fragile-and-complex-truths-reflected-in-art/
0
8
4
reposted by
Justin Brake
Democracy Now!
3 months ago
A new investigation by
@propublica.org
has found over 40 cases of immigration agents using chokeholds and other potentially fatal breathing restrictions, including during the ICE arrest of 16-year-old U.S. citizen Arnoldo Bazan in Texas.
loading . . .
8
308
147
“By 9:23 a.m. on January 2 [2024] Canada’s 100 highest-paid CEOs had already made what the average worker will make all year,” the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says in its report, Living the high life: A record-breaking year for CEO pay in Canada.
#canlab
#inequality
add a skeleton here at some point
2 months ago
0
10
4
Load more
feeds!
log in