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The Press Complaints Commission has said it is open to discussions with the Ministry of Justice in relation to reviewing guidance on reporting rape defendants. According to a BBC report , proposals put forward in the government's coalition agreement to grant anonymity to those charged with rape in England and Wales appear to have been dropped.

But the Ministry of Justice said it had not ruled out granting anonymity between the point of arrest and charge.

According to the report, Justice Minister Crispin Blunt told the House of Commons he would rather "put pressure on the media not to name suspects than bring in a new law".

He also indicated that this could be achieved through a strengthening of industry guidelines.

The PCC today told Journalism.co.uk they would be "happy to discuss the matter with the Ministry of Justice".

"The Editors' Code of Practice has never prevented the identification by the press of individuals accused of rape. The PCC issued a guidance note to editors in 2004 which gives general guidance to the industry about the reporting of people accused of crime in general (but not about rape specifically). This guidance draws together the parts of the Code that are relevant, including accuracy and privacy."

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Written by
Rachel Bartlett

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