Publicity all part of fame game

THE introduction of new legislation is normally a tricky task for any government, beset with potential pitfalls and fallout from those who disagree with the change.

Yet it's hard to see too many people kicking up a fuss over changes which came into effect earlier this week, making it harder for celebrities and sports stars to get name suppression when they come before this country's courts.

Under the Criminal Procedure Act, which was passed last October and comes into effect this week, name suppression will not be granted solely on the grounds of "wealth, reputation or public awareness."

The move is not before time, and it's just a shame that it's taken repeat expressions of public concern before anything changed.

Defence lawyers love to fall back on the argument that publication of the name of their celebrity client could potentially be more punitive than in the case of a "regular" person.

More often than not, they're right - but that's still no reason for that person's identity to be concealed.

Sportspeople and actors use their success and accompanying public profile to secure lucrative endorsements and sponsorship deals, but that same profile also means the spotlight will inevitably shine on them again if they become involved in allegations of wrongdoing.

Despite what some might think, so-called "celebrities" have always been news. Arguably, that's even more so the case now.

Any person who has reached a point in their chosen career where they have established some sort of public profile, be that profile something they strived for or an unwanted byproduct of success, also has to accept that along with that success comes the potential for publicity, should they end up in court.

It comes with the territory.

The new law should work to break down the "us and them" mentality which successive high-profile court cases involving celebrities with name suppression has built up over time.

It's also important to remember that nothing in the new legislation prevents a celebrity before the courts from being granted name suppression if it is warranted for some reason other than their high public profile.

Success should not automatically preclude an individual from having the same legal rights as someone who doesn't turn up in a Sunday newspaper's social pages.

While the new law may leave some in our celebrity set feeling slightly aggrieved, if it means the rest of us have more faith in our legal system, then surely that's a step in the right direction.

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