SECTION 5. Privacy

Exercise 1. The MP Clare Short was recently attacked about her personal life. Read her interview in which she explains why she thinks people in the public eye (such as herself) do not deserve to have their personal life made public by the ‘gutter press’ (popular newspapers) and answer the following questions.

a) In what situations does she think her life deserves to be exposed? Give examples.

b) What does she object to the popular press doing, and why? Give examples.

c) What would she like to see and what would happen as a result?

CLARE SHORT: I say that anything I do in my public life is a matter for scrutiny by the media. If I’m a hypocrite in any way between my private and public life that is to be exposed, if I’m corrupt in any way that is to be exposed. But I am a human being and it isn’t right – I mean I have a normal human life. I have a bath. I mean if the News of the World put a picture of me in the bath on the front page it would be true that I do have baths but it wouldn’t be right. And it’s both for me as me the human being but also for all of us. I think this behaviour drags our press and our culture into the gutter. It’s nothing to do with investigative reporting, it’s just to do with linking everyone up with something to do with sexuality that’s supposed to be ideally a little bit hidden and deviant. And I think if we had a privacy law we’d actually help our press out of the gutter and we’d get very much better investigative journalism.

Exercise 2. In groups, discuss the following questions.

a) Do you agree that there should be a privacy law? Think of the arguments for and against.

b) What actions can people in your country take if the newspapers print stories about someone, which are untrue, and cause that person to suffer?

c) What compensation should people like Clare Short get?

d) What are your opinions on the view that people get the kind of newspapers they deserve?

Exercise 3. Read the newspaper article.

Elton John Awarded 1 million pounds damages

after Sun allegations about his private life

_______________

READER’S RIGHT TO REPLY

This week in the news there has been a lot of publicity about the huge compensation given to a certain pop singer after he proved that a popular newspaper made untrue claims about his personal life. However, are readers aware that:

· There is no legal aid for libel. Only reasonably wealthy people can sue. An ‘ordinary’ person could not afford the 30,000 pounds needed to take a newspaper to court. Is it fair that famous people can defend their reputations and stand to win a lot of money when ordinary people can’t?

· Damages in libel actions are decided by a jury rather than a judge so they are based entirely on their opinion and can result in people being given very large sums of money. However, if you are blinded, or lose an eye or a leg, the judge decides and there are clear calculations made.

Write and give us your opinion on the issues above. Say what you think of the popular press’s invasion of privacy. Suggest if and how you think the law should be changed with regard to privacy and compensation.

Exercise 4. In groups, make notes for a letter in reply to the article. Then write the letter.

Exercise 5. Exchange your letter with other groups. Decide which letter is the best.

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