High court judge Justice Salesi Temo has placed a media ban on the coverage of a controversial rape case after an application by the DPP's office.

The case involves a man who is charged with allegedly raping his daughter, step-daughter and grand step-daughter over a number of years.

The DPP's office made an application for the names of the victims to be suppressed and that strict guidelines be placed to protect the identity of the victims.

Judge Temo called for comments from the prosecutor and the defense on the application to ban the media from being in court during the proceedings.

While doing so, he stressed that while the interest of the victims and the accused are paramount, this is a very important case and the public needs to know how the judiciary is dealing with the case.

He said there must be a balance as the public interest is a virtue of the courts and questioned how to reconcile these issues.

However, after stressing the need to protect the identity of the victims, Judge Temo ruled that the media will not be allowed to cover the proceedings and that all information is to be obtained from the court registry.

He also ordered that a screen be placed in the witness stand when the victims give their evidence to shield them from the accused.

The trial has started in the Suva high court.