High Profile Kiwi's Busted in Drug Ring

[Hitcher]

So, say I speculate the sportsman is, I dunno say Sean Fitzpatrick, & it's not, or it is. I'm only blowing hot air. How can I be prosecuted for idol gossip. Surely this public forumn is no different than you'n me discussing it in a public place?

Totally. You're confusing private conversations with public conversations.

[oldfart]

Totally. You're confusing private conversations with public conversations.

wot say I was talking loudly, wouldn't that make it public

[White trash]

WTF? I can't believe people are speculating on a public forum who they've "been told" is involved or who they believe maybe coulda been seen with someones sister once.

Give it a rest and let the justice system sort it out. These are actually peoples lives you're talking about and rumours start getting real nasty, real quick.

And for the record, I flatted with Josh and I'd be surprised. I'm much badder than he.

I wonder who here hasn't any skeletons in their closet they'd hate to see bandied 'round an internet forum?

[MikeL]

Interesting legal question here.
FWIW I don't think we have any longer the old distinction between libel [written defamation] and slander [oral defamation] - it's just defamation. I suspect that a lot of legal minds have expended a lot of mental energy on the precise definition of "publication", "publishing" or "making public", but my guess is that naming names on this forum would fairly easily fall within whatever definition is currently accepted.
What intrigues me is where the original information came from. Could it be that the "little birdie" was hatched on the Internet??
Interestingly the same 4 names were given to me not long ago by someone not entirely unrelated to me who got them from his boss. But where his boss got them from...
All it would take is one post on a popular forum and someone's speculation could end up as gospel...

[scumdog]

Notice a loud 'no comment' from moi, - and with good reason. Shush people, shush.

[Big Dave]

Notice a loud 'no comment' from moi, - and with good reason. Shush people, shush.

Thing is there's two conversations going on in this thread - some of us are just venting at the mess class a's and that vile P have made - I certainly didn't mean to imply it about anyone.

[SixPackBack]

Thing is there's two conversations going on in this thread - some of us are just venting at the mess class a's and that vile P have made - I certainly didn't mean to imply it about anyone.

Here you on the 'p' thing.....my brother in law died last december, a direct result of 'p' addiction
He was white collar, company manager, inteligent,kind and only 36 years old. He was also one of the best mates a man could have [i'm nearly crying].
He left 2 kids behind, and literally dozens of broken hearts.

If you have an addiction please get help!

[Str8 Jacket]

So I probably shouldn't have posted the names because as far as im concerned they are only "rumoured" to be implicated. What I was trying to do was get peoples thoughts on celebrities being caught up in this kind of, dare I say it -scandal. I for one was actually very surprised to hear some of these names, and won't believe it till it is made public.
So I apologise for starting this thread with the names included and realise I was wrong. Maybe this thread could be deleted? Who do I ask?

[White trash]

So I probably shouldn't have posted the names because as far as im concerned they are only "rumoured" to be implicated. What I was trying to do was get peoples thoughts on celebrities being caught up in this kind of, dare I say it -scandal. I for one was actually very surprised to hear some of these names, and won't believe it till it is made public.
So I apologise for starting this thread with the names included and realise I was wrong. Maybe this thread could be deleted? Who do I ask?

Just edit your original post mate, and delete the names.

[Str8 Jacket]

Just edit your original post mate, and delete the names.

Cheers WT, all edited and names removed. Once again I apologise to all those that I upset . . . sorry.

[placidfemme]

She reminded the media of suppression orders in place for the six accused and the four yet to be charged.

The case has sparked a frenzy of internet speculation about the people involved in the bust.

Entertainment site biggie.co.nz warned members against posting names because it was illegal.

Auckland businessman Aaron Bhatnagar closed down comment on his blogspot after names were published.

blah... I don't think people who are drug dealers and rapists and child abuser and the such deserve name suppression... do the crime do the time (even if that includes everyone hating you).

As mentioned earlier in the thread... if this was your average Jo Blog then his name would be in the paper... no doubt along with a picture... and his life would be ruined... but because these are so called celeb's they get special treatment... It's amazing what money can buy you these days

[Hooks]

Well now that is all sorted out I can reveal with relative safety who these people are !!

The Head man is the Dingo from Ayres rock ...
The TV personality is .... SpongeBob .. (Sorry BL it's true)
& the two sortsmen are in fact .... Charisma and Ready Teddy ... Both have been in trouble over drugs before and Charisma is still on the Tea foundations Coffee only program for the hopelessly sodden !!

There that should end all the speculation and bull !! .....

And yes it has to said .... I got it straight from the horses mouth !!!

[MikeL]

blah... I don't think people who are drug dealers and rapists and child abuser and the such deserve name suppression... do the crime do the time (even if that includes everyone hating you).

Hang on...
These people have been charged, not convicted. Put the word "alleged" in front of those nouns by which you refer to them, and remember that mistakes can occur, the police sometimes falling short of adequacy let alone perfection, and then see if you still think what you have suggested is fair.

[Kickaha]

Hang on...
These people have been charged, not convicted. Put the word "alleged" in front of those nouns by which you refer to them, and remember that mistakes can occur, the police sometimes falling short of adequacy let alone perfection, and then see if you still think what you have suggested is fair.

I personally think that automatic name supression should apply until after you are convicted, it seems as soon as most people seen your name in print they assume guilt

[idb]

I personally think that automatic name supression should apply until after you are convicted, it seems as soon as most people seen your name in print they assume guilt

I absolutely agree with that.
Surely publishing the name of someone charged with a crime is no different to starting a rumour.
The only reason I can see for it is if the trial is going to be prolonged and speculation on the person's identity is likely to cause harm to others.