But where is the other News?

The level of reporting for the Stephen Lawrence murder trial may be correct, but there is certain other news that seems to have slipped from our radar. I would like to know what is happening to Ms Sakineh Ashtiani in Iran.

If the lack of news reporting is keeping her alive, then due credit to the Iranian authorities. We can all be quick to condemn but it's also important to give credit where it is due.

Now would be an excellent time for Iran to release Ms Ashtiani. To do so would be to seize the moral high ground in this saga. As any decision to release Ms Ashtiani would be made without any obvious external influence or pressure. Therefore Iran would be doing so of their own accord as a sovereign nation. The Iranian authorities could make the move and taunt the West. Especially if they accepted the Brazilian offer to grant Ms Ashtiani asylum. By taking this action, the Iranian authorities would be creating a win-win situation. They would seize the moral high ground, remove the problem to another Continent, and make new friends.

If you stop and think about it, then you realise that it's all too easy. But if it's not happening, then I would like to see some news coverage so that the case of Ms Ashtiani is not forgotten.

News

Yes the Stephen Lawrence murder trial, is in the news, but the story is not being reported at a level that I would have previously expected. Has society changed, or are the media backing off in case they hash this one up? I think it's more about the latter. The story is well known; black youth minding his own business, attacked by racist thugs and slaughtered in the street. You know the kind of story, little people, who are very brave in a gang. Especially when armed with a knife, and with the intent to use it on someone at some point in time.

The murder was sad enough, but the act was compounded by what appeared at the time to be poor policing. It led to a failed private prosecution and an enquiry.

I sincerely hope that the news is in many ways suppressed, if only so that at last justice can be done. If they did it then they go away for a very long time, and if they didn't do it then they walk free. The most important part being that the jury is not tainted by reporting and emotions, but instead consider the evidence and the pleadings as presented to them in the court room.

I was particularly pleased when I found the latest update in the (London) Times way back on page 28 or so. The small amount that was written and its position in the paper was relevant to the story as it now unfolds.