You were the Editor

Figures in a Christmas nativity scene in a public park have been vandalized and the community is outraged, with some people calling for corporal punishment for the culprits. Police question suspects seen in the vicinity but there's insufficient evidence to determine which members of the group damaged the figures. Police, however, issue a charge of causing mischief against one teenager seen pulling down a string of lights as the group left the area.

Your newspaper does not publish the names of the accused persons unless it intends to follow a court case to conclusion. This can be a lengthy and time consuming process. Also, the newspaper usually doesn't publish names of those accused of minor offenses. As editor, do you:

A.  Name the accused person, who may or may not have been the ringleader.

Readers  26%
Editors  25%

B.  Do not name the accused, but report a person has been charged.

Readers  74%
Editors  75%


Readers comments:

"Vandalism is such a frequent crime, every avenue should be used to discourage it, including naming the offenders."

"This type of vandalism should be covered from start to end."

"Don't name the person. It would be pure speculation this was the ringleader but readers might assume this was the case."

"Never name anyone without proof."

"It's enough the person was there during vandalism, whether a ringleader or not."

"Individuals caught in the act and charged should be named and held responsible."

"I never agree on printing the names of accused persons because it could be false, and blemishes their names forever."

"Whether the person is ringleader or not is not the issues. The one seen pulling down the string of lights and charged should be named, even if it is a minor offense. If their first offense was with the wrong crowd you can be sure they may think twice if their accusations became public."