Name suppression law 'needs review'
The courts may soon be held up to ridicule in this internet age, and given the rapid rise in social media. All of
"We have long pushed for a thorough review of the law surrounding name suppression - whether it is justified at all, and if so in what circumstances" said Garth McVicar, National Spokesman for Sensible Sentencing Trust.
"This morning we have the ludicrous situation of the names of the two men alleged to have assaulted cricketer Jesse Ryder being suppressed by a Judge, when their names have been published in both the main stream media, and on social media sites, for hours" McVicar said.
"There is a real danger that the courts will end up looking ridiculous - locking the stable door not only after the horse has bolted, but when it’s halfway down the track, in front of a grandstand full of punters" said McVicar.
"While there may be justification for name suppression in some circumstances, there is no clarity as to when that might be, or for whose benefit such orders are made. When offenders come to our attention, it is impossible to find out for sure whether a name is suppressed or not, and therefore whether we risk breaking the law by publishing an offender’s details".
"We have surely reached the point where a full review of both the law and the practicalities of name suppression in the internet age is long overdue, and we would wholeheartedly support such a review". Mc Vicar said.
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