Trial by (media) circus

Under current UK law, journalists are not allowed to report the names of victims in rape cases – from the moment the rape is alleged – once the allegation has become known to a third party. Such as the police. At the same time however, journalists are permitted to name the person alleged to have made the assault whenever they like. Even before the trial? Yes. And even after he (or she) has been cleared? Let’s look at the evidence. Case in point: John Leslie. Completely exonerated of those charges but to witness his fall from media grace you wouldn’t think it. And his is just one, high-profile instance of a life ruined (or at least, very filthily tainted) by associations of sexual assault.

So with that in mind, an old friend of mine has picked up on a very interesting story that a convicted serial rapist is trying to obtain an injunction to prevent newspapers reporting on him. Or more specifically, from printing his name and address. This is an overwhelming debate between public interest versus personal freedom. And this is an incredibly hot time to debate this issue, given that less than two weeks ago the Government pledged to extend the anonymity granted to rape victims to defendants as well. It will be very interesting to hear the verdict on both of these issues.

Elsewhere in the world then: Italian women offered money – almost four grand – to not have an abortion. And according the the Mail, five million euros of public money will be available for the initiative. The women will need to be sufficiently poor and also considering abortion to qualify. Personally I find this story absolutely baffling. The offer of a huge lump of greenbacks might certainly convince some cash-strapped women to keep their babies, but what happens when the money runs out? And isn’t there just the slightest chance that this scheme will tempt young, financially-challenged women to have a child just to get some free cash? I say it again; baffling.

And a day of mourning in Canada – and in toy shops around the globe – as Chris Haney, creator of the best board game ever invented has passed away.