WAToday forced to remove article revealing identity of high-profile offender in breach of prohibition order

Media organisation Nine has been forced to remove an article revealing the identity of a high-profile offender after it was found to be in breach of a prohibition order. The article, published on WAToday early on Wednesday morning, named and pictured the offender despite a court order stating it was not allowed to do so. The order made by Criminal Injuries Compensation assessor Alice Barter stated: “I prohibit publication of any particular that is likely to lead to the identification of the applicant or the offender.” The article was removed later on Wednesday morning. Asked whether the masthead was in breach of the order, the Department of Justice told The West Australian: “WAToday has been contacted in relation to the publication, and the story has been removed.” A Nine spokesman said, “When the Dept (sic) of Justice informed the masthead of a prohibition order made by a compensation assessor, the story was removed.” The decision in question related to the payout of $75,000 in compensation — the maximum allowed under WA law — to the victim of the crime.