Don’t shoot the messenger

First and foremost, thank you to those who support our decision. It wasn’t taken lightly.

To those who have been verbally abusing the News, calling us out and saying we have double standards … perhaps it would be wise if you first get the full picture of why we did it before calling us all sorts of names.

We, as the media, are not allowed to publish the names of any suspects before they have pleaded in court. In terms of the Bill of Rights everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law.

But of course, if one media house is publishing the names, why shouldn’t we?

The reason is we are not like any other media house. We strive to uphold the law through what we practice by all means necessary.

We are not sheep that just follow the herd.

We have an obligation to protect the identities of everyone involved when reporting on crime – even those who are suspected of having committed the crimes.

Yes, we published the names of those who were murdered, but only because we obtained permission from the families. There is no law against that.

Judging by the comments on Facebook the community has already sentenced the accused to death even before their trial started.

Isn’t the principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ a legal concept that guarantees that the guilt of an accused person cannot be presumed?

Do those who judge know all the facts?

We chose to trust the law and when the law allows us to, we will publish the names.

I would like to leave you with one thought … Imagine you are the one standing accused in a packed courtroom. Think of the shame and guilt your family will be going through when reading and hearing horrible and vile – often unfounded – comments about you, regardless of whether you are guilty or not.

Next time you comment, have some compassion, or at least have some respect for those who still need to bury loved ones or find legal representatives for someone close to them.