Naming and shaming…

Published: August 25, 2011

I WOULD very much like to record my appreciation of John Gulliver’s timely and extremely worthwhile observations about the incredible shortcomings of the media in reporting crime and court proceedings in breach of an accused presumption of innocence (Should ‘suspects’ be named and shamed? August 18).

It is astonishing what is being allowed.

He does not actually refer to papers employing (so I understand) legal advisers; where on earth are they while all this is going on?

This past week I had occasion to leave a comment on a Daily Mail feature concerning an accused rioter which allowed comments absolutely prejudicing the accused presumption of innocence. It ran to more than 90 comments and later they were withdrawn.

So my strictures may have done some good. I had referred to the Bristol murder case around Christmas time.

Another thing that intrigues me is that in some countries absolutely no coverage is allowed – so I understand – until the accused has been convicted.

I’d very much like to somewhere read a well-researched, comparative, piece about these cultures.
Ian Cameron
Studley Road, SW4