The Courier-Mail, 31st July 1999,
My comments in red - article covers my arrest the day before.
An operator of an Internet web site was charged yesterday after he allegedly named a man facing child sex charges before he was committed for trial.
Webmaster Scott Balson was charged by police under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act of 1978. The law prohibits the identification of any person charged with a sexual offence before they are committed for trial or sentence.
The penalty for such an offence is six months in jail or a $500 fine.
Balson yesterday appeared to be seeking publicity for his recent book as he walked from Brisbane Watchhouse after being charged. He wore a shirt and held a book that both carried the slogan "Murder by Media, Death of democracy in Australia" - a reference to the title of the publication. (this statement reveal complicity between The Courier-Mail and the police - only I and arresting officer Myers knew of my arrest. The reporter knew when and where I was. How?)
Police said Balson was granted Watchhouse bail and issued a notice to appear before the court in a fortnight.
Police from Taskforce Argos, which investigate paedophile activity, interviewed Balson earlier in the day over the alleged offence, (this is incorrect I refused to be interviewed by the police).
Attorney-General Matt Foley authorised the Crown Solicitor to investigate the incident on Wednesday after it was alleged in a committal hearing in the Brisbane Magistrates Court that a website had named the man involved in the child sex allegations before the court. The man's name was later removed from the web site.
The man, a Queensland politician, is facing a committal hearing over 47 child sex offences including rape and indecent dealing. (This statement is a breach of the Act under which I was charged. Under the Act you are not allowed to refer to the person's occupation or mention "rape".)
Balson did not comment outside the Watchhouse yesterday. But in an article which appeared later on his website he wrote, "Let me make it quite clear that I am not admitting I published the (man's) name.