SOUTH Australia's history of spectacular clashes between politicians, the judiciary and the media found a new chapter this week when a mess of eggs ended up on the face of the Attorney-General, forcing a humiliating backflip over internet censorship.
With free speech as its casus belli Adelaide's The Advertiser and its online incarnation, AdelaideNow, went to war with the Attorney, Michael Atkinson. The media won within 24 hours.
The episode centred on a package of amendments to the Electoral Act, decreeing that online comments posted during a state election must show the real name and postcode of the person posting them. Website hosts would be required to retain that information for six months after the election, or risk a fine. The restrictions could even apply to social sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
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