What purpose would publishing a photograph someone's passport serve in exposing extortion? The only thing it proves is that Josh Cahill had at some point gone through border controls in East Timor, which neither party was denying.
It would tie the name to the picture of the known extorter, so that he may be refused service.
The same thing is done is some supermarkets for people caught stealing: their picture is put on a wall of shame for all to see.
If they believe it's defamation, they can try to use the supermarket, which will then release the video evidence.
It helps keeping people honest without filling the courts with shoplifters.
In general though, do you really think the 'name and shame' approach is appropriate across borders? As this Josh Cahill discovered, some countries don't have any laws that would give you any justification to start legal action, and suing an airline from East Timor in Germany is going to be difficult both in showing standing and, if you win, actually managing to extract the damages from the defendant.
Personally, I think naming and shaming is only effective when the community is small enough for people to recognize the names, and, more importantly, only justifiable where there is no existing authority that the community submits to. In this case, the airline voluntary submits to the authority of IATA, so any attempt at naming and shaming is an attempt to bypass that authority.
It could have been a stage name, but they created a proved link between his picture and his real name
> In this case, the airline voluntary submits to the authority of IATA, so any attempt at naming and shaming is an attempt to bypass that authority
And what could have the IATA done? Very likely, nothing, or likely. If it could have done something, it could have been far worse, like putting him on a no fly list maybe?
In the end, the extorter is taught a lesson, but not too harsh of a lesson - just like shoplifters, because I don't think it would be very fair to jail someone who had to steal food to survive.
A punishment may be needed, but a very light one, and ideally to teach person a lesson to try to reform them.
I think what has happened may have been for the best for the supposed extorter: he even got the free drama he likes so much!