Private matters, THE erosion of free uccess to information continues apace in B.C. The latest contributor to the cause is Information and Privacy Commissioner David Flaherty. His recent ruling against the North Shore News in its quest to ascertain the name of a traffic accident victim in West Vancouver raises some disturbing issues. [t also establishes a precedent that anyone in the information trade should be concerned about. ; Securing stich detail as an accident victim’s name used to be routine scuff — it being a key detail in accident sto- ries. But no more. The process now involves becoming enmeshed in the wheels of police and provin- cia] government bureaucra- cies. The media and, ultimately, the public are the losers. Fewer details, less truth. In her request for the rele- vant information about the accident in question, News reporter Anna Marie D’Angelo rightly sought specifics. Not generalities. As with most such stories, those specifics reside in police files. Without police coopera- tion a lot of relevant informa- tion would remain in those files. For many in the law enforcement trade that’s where they would prefer the information to stay. The less released the bet- ter. But while that might make police work fess compli- cated, it doesn’t do the pub- lic much good, The information in most cases can eventually be obtained from other sources. But the route of ambulance chasing and funeral home stakeouts would result in far more invasion of privacy for those involved in the story than if the information were supplied by the police. Ms. Flaherty has upheld the West Vancouver Police argument that the disclosure of the accident victim’s name in this case was an unreason- able invasion of her privacy because it was information compiled in a police investi- gation. But the name was also withheld from public release because the victim’s next of kin told the police to keep it private. In upholding the police department's decision to shield the name from public release, Flaherty has extended the privacy rights of the vic- tim to those of the victim’s family. Release of the name, he ruled, would be an invasion of their privacy coo. The rul- ing thereby adds to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act new next-of-kin privacy rights that undermine the public’s right to know about incidents in their community thar could affect their lives. Flaherty also opined that a newspaper story without such details as a victiny’s name is no less credible than a new Paper story with those details. T have no idea what Mr. Flaherty’s journalistic creden- tials are, but in this case they don’t pass muster. He has in effect condoned state press censorship. The credibility of news stories and any information source suffers significantly when key details are arbitrari- ly removed or withheld. Names and identities are key details in any newspaper story especially in cases of death. Their absence raises questions as to why they are missing. The privacy act prevents disclosure of personal infor- mation if that disclosure is adjudged an unreasonable rmai{weax Fullerton Dear Editor: Re: Soccer Turf War Erupts April 11 News. It’s too bad all those upset soccer players didn’t make it to last year’s public hearing on the Fullerton site. A new all-weather playing field could have been the community pay-off for re- zoning cheap industrial land toa much more valuable des- ignation allowing for a hotel and auto mall. Still, as would be expected of a developer, Greystone S.LAURSEN & draperies Serving the Lower Mainland for over 27 years public concems invasion of a third party’s personal privacy. But the release of an acei- dent victin’s name can hardly be considered an unreasoan- able invasion of privacy. The story at the heart of this matter is tragic; it is espe- cially tragic for the families involved. But there is no expose of loss or grief sought bere — only the need to provide a consistently honest and open public record. Flaherty argues that sur- viving family members might want to inform other family mentbers and friends about the death personally before any identity is released to the public. No argument there. Bur a death on a public street remains a story of Jegit- imate public interest in the life of the community that needs to be told. Fully. Flaherty’s ruling, sets a precedent that could be adopted by other police departments and extended to other incidents — criminal or other — in the community. Should the right to bar disclosure of information be extended to murder victims and their next of kin even if it might help solve the crime? How far are we from municipal police declining to release the name of someone charged with an offence because it might breach fami- ly privacy? The current controversy over sections of the Young Offenders Act that shield the names of violent young crim- inals from publication under- scores the depth of public feeling on the subject. Flaherty based his decision in part on the contents of a private letter sent to him by a family member of the deceased. But its contents are sceret. The commission has declined to release that letter to the News tor rebuttal or consid- eration. So we have privacy rights extended to key evidence submittes in an important aceess-to-information ruling. That's bad for the open operation and scrutiny of our security and justice systems. Privacy needs protection, but so does the free exchange of information. Your right to know is being eroded. The more it erodes, the more the public loses -— victims and their next of kin included. — trenshaw@direct.ca should have field Properties argued against providing a playing field, and instead = offered == North Vancouver City a lousy $250,060 towards building one elsewhere. So what if Greystone’s land value would increase by millions if the re-zoning were approved! Untortunately, our pro- development city council dropped the ball and capitu- lated te the developer (except Councillors Dean and Fearnley). Scratch one much SON & blinds Std. www.sidrapasandblinds.com Custom Ruds, Upholstery & Bedspreads (Ask about our Seniars Discount For Free Estimate call 922-4975 or 987-2966 Drapery Labour $13.50 per pane! lined. Low Low Prices ACUPUNCEULE cm be used to treat: Arthritis © Insomnia © Ulcers © Stress © Menstrual Problems Allergies ¢Skin Problems ¢ Chrunic & Acute Pain ¢ Depression 151 E. 15th St., North Van @ 115 - 585 6th St., West Van needed playing field. 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