About seven years ago, the Labour media ethics committee had proposed not to publish the names of people charged in court before they are found guilty.

This surely was a just and Christian proposal that should have been adhered to at least since we became aware of its unjust consequences.

At the time, I had written that although we realised it was not fair to name a person of a crime he is being accused of before he is found guilty, the media carried on with the naming, little realising the trauma created and the harm that could be done to the person and his family, especially if he is eventually found innocent.

I wonder whether the mega Bill encompassing a wide-ranging justice reform, which is to be debated in Parliament shortly, will address this shameful, unethical and unchristian behaviour.

I’m sure that if some journalist’s relative got involved in some alleged scandal, the journalist would do his utmost to keep the details a secret.

And it is an open secret that public and influential figures bend over backwards to hush up any misdemeanours or even crimes connected with members of their families. We have seen this happen many a time.

Many years ago, Leħen is-Sewwa, the Church’s voice, came out in favour of not naming anyone before sentencing by the court. But I’m not aware of any other uttering by the Church on the same subject since then.

I think it is about time that we should enrich our civilisation by banning the names of those charged on alleged crimes until they are found guilty.

Otherwise, why we do presume the accused innocent until they are found guilty?