Media unite to challenge suppression on charged South Australian politician ADELAIDE'S media have used the state's newest law to challenge the re-suppression of the identity of a politician charged with child pornography offences. This morning adelaidenow, the ABC, and Channels 7, 9 and 10 filed applications with the Adelaide Magistrates Court. They have asked the court to remedy a highly unusual legal situation in which the politician can no longer be named or shown - despite his case having been widely publicised for months. Two weeks ago, the Full Court of the Supreme Court overturned orders that the politician stand trial on aggravated counts of obtaining and taking steps to obtain child pornography. It ordered his committal be re-heard in the Adelaide Magistrates Court - which, in an unexpected side-effect, re-activated a statutory suppression on his identity. Under Section 71A of the Evidence Act (1929), persons accused of sexual offences cannot be publicly named until they have entered a plea or been committed to stand trial. Journalists who breached that section faced a maximum $10,000 fine, while media organisations could be fined up to $120,000. Today, however, an amendment to that legislation - drafted by Attorney-General John Rau - came into effect. It permits the media to ask the court to lift the publication ban if doing so would be "in the public interest." The magistrate with conduct of the case has discretion whether or not to grant the application a hearing and, if so minded, orders all parties be notified to present argument. Last week, Mr Rau said the courts had requested more time to prepare for the changes but, following the politician's case, he asked they be fast-tracked. This morning, media organisations filed applications under the amended Act. Chief Magistrate Liz Bolton will hear the media's applications tomorrow afternoon