Manawatu Herald SUTURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1921. “KEEP MY NAME OUT OF THE PAPER.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2348, 29 October 1921, Page 2

Manawatu Herald SUTURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1921. “KEEP MY NAME OUT OF THE PAPER.”

HARDLY a Magisterial Court day passes but what some prosecuted person appeals to have their name withheld from publication. Some tender money, others plead for the sake of wife or children, and some are even bold enough to threaten. At times it hurts to have to refuse such requests, but the press have a public duty to perform, and publicity in restraint of* crime is essential. The law-breaker is wonderfully considerate for the good name of his wife and family after, instead of before his lapse. Magistrates have discretionary power to prohibit names from publication in the press, and failing such order, the press uses its own discretion. Reporters are sometimes approached to withhold names, but to give way to such temptation means instant dismissal from the staff of any well-conducted journal. We have in the past suppressed names in civil cases where debts have been confessed, and where prohibition orders have been issued on personal application, but beyond this we do not intend to go, despite tears and threats.