Naming and Shaming

cork | rights, freedoms and repression | opinion/analysis Thursday September 11, 2003 00:38 by Julia Clonakilty

Ethical and legal considerations

What are the ethical and legal considerations around naming and shaming a staff member in Cork Corporation who has acted apparently in a racist way against Travellers?

The editorial group of IndyMedia might add their thoughts to the answers to this post, if any.
I am part of a loosely formed social justice group in west Cork. As we became more and more interested in Traveller issues, we saw a need to take action on one. It appears in general that Traveller housing and sites are not being built in large enough numbers, and that Traveller health and education are affected as a result. But what does not get attention is the work of some people in government organisations who seem to put an effort into making life difficult for those who have no voice. A number of Travellers visited west Cork during the summer and told us stories of incidents in Cork that happened to them and other Travellers over the last 18 months. Quite a few had bad experiences with one named staff member in Cork Corporation. We heard some of these stories repeated by other Travellers, so we think they can be believed.
We want to name and shame people like this person, who has not, it appears, acted with any professionalism or decency. We asked Travellers if they had complained against the person. They appeared afraid to go this route. Fear of retribution was the main factor, as the Corporation can do a lot to hurt you, like place you lower down on the waiting list, evict you from roadside sites, and refuse to support your application for help from community welfare officers or from Vincent de Paul. So, if a formal complaints procedure is not likely to be used, can we use this forum to expose what is going on? I would appreciate comments / advice, including alternatives if this approach is not acceptable use of IndyMedia.