Regarding the article “Police: Pittsburgh woman accused of arson in Greenfield apartment fire case” (Jan. 16, TribLIVE): The American criminal justice system is founded on the principle that a defendant is innocent until proven guilty. Yet news outlets print the names of arrested adults, regardless of acquittal or conviction.

A name may give the public a sense of finality; however, it has the potential of setting back jury selection. And the digital trail a news story leaves can blacklist the wrongly accused and damage their reputations, including preventing them from obtaining future employment.

A news story could use simply a description of the arrested person. The removal of the name removes no substance. Then the news outlet can publish a name and a more detailed account if the arrested person is convicted.

Olivia Hilborn

Peters

The writer is a student in the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

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