Name and shame (campaign)

"Name and shame" was a 2000 anti-pedophile public shaming campaign that resulted in several lynch-mob and firebomb attacks in England and Scotland, most having been directed at people wrongfully alleged to be pedophiles or child sex offenders.

The campaign was launched by then top-selling tabloid journal News of the World, owned by press magnate Rupert Murdoch and edited by Rebekah Brooks. The newspaper would publish sensationalistic articles about indiscriminate types of sex offenders, in which their identities and home addresses would be exposed. Name and shame was initially supported by deputy prime minister John Prescott and home secretary David Blunkett, although government authorities soon began to distance themselves. It was opposed by the liberal press, human rights groups and police agencies.

Having published a total of two issues in seven days, name and shame was cancelled in August amid criticism from government bodies. Vigilante mob attacks and marches carried on after its termination. Most of the anti-pedophile protestors were women and children. The campaign unsuccessfully called for laws allowing public access to sex offender registries in the country, which subsequently remained mostly restricted.