In a ruling described as landmark by gay rights activists, Uganda’s high court ruled that media in the country should not publish identities of people they say are homosexuals.

The verdict came in a case against the Rolling Stone newspaper, which last year published several lists of people it said were gay. One of the articles had the headline “Hang them” above a list of names and photos.

A coalition of gay rights campaigners had petitioned the court after people listed by the paper alleged they were attacked. “The judge granted a permanent injunction against Rolling Stone from publishing names,” a lawyer defending the gay rights, told AFP. The newspaper argued that as the three people who brought the case were known gay rights leaders, it could not be punished for saying they were homosexuals.

Move from news to views and get in-depth reports on issues that matter to you, every fortnight.
Subscribe now »