When Should the Media Respect Privacy Rights?

[GhostAnime]

I've recently been thinking of a new topic to debate besides religion, so I thought of something..

Let's say you have a politician. He has been exposed to watching porn, or something that most likely doesn't affect his ability to be a politician. Do you think the media should have the right to report this if he does not want it known? Keep in mind that this debate isn't about the fact that it would be reported regardless or the publication companies will lose money; this is more about the moral issue.

I argue two things. First, if we do focus on these secrets famous people hold that aren't illegal, but are seen as "negative", wouldn't it distract us from the real issues at hand? Wouldn't it be more important to focus on political issues than personal issues?

Second, I argue that even if you find something that you, at first thought, think may have an effect on how a person does their job (whether it's playing a sport or being a politician). What if they've done their job successfully for the last 10 years? Wouldn't it be superfluous? I think focusing on the effects and results of someone's work will always be better than focusing on the causes, because the effects happen regardless of the cause; whether it's because of a drug problem or incompetency.

Thoughts?

 

[meteor64]

It depends entirely what the problem is.

If said politician was caught with a porn stash, it obviously hasn't affected how he's done his job for the past few years, why is it important? Same deal if he was gay, or even bi.

However, if they did something like child abuse or rape, then that SHOULD be noted and made public.

 

[Snipehsheep]

I mean, why would you care if he has a porn stash?

Now, a drug stash, that would be news.

 

[GhostAnime]

Obviously there are some exceptions when he does something illegal, but more often than not, it's some irrelevant coverage merely used by a politician for mudslinging.

Think of the whole Obama church thing, for example.

 

[meteor64]

I remember during one election here in the UK some Lib Dem politician was exposed as gay, and the whole media jumped on him.

I mean, come on? How old are we, 8?

 

[Vermehlo_Steele]

The privacy of all people must be respected. It dosn't matter if you think this liberal is trying to destroy the nation or if this conservative is evil incarnate, privacy must be private.

In Australia, one network recorded our Opposition leader in Afghanistan talking to the Aus' Commander. The were talking about the recent Australian death and the Opp' Leader said "well, sometimes **** happens". This glorious network tried to make it look like the Opp' Leader was a flint heart, but it backfired and there was this universal scorn around the other parts of the media for this network.

What my point is, is that yes the media will always play it's silly games in the hope for more audience members, but the public isn't blind, most people see through the lies and distortions. But, what is interesting for the fact it is disturbing is that the media still sets the agenda by choosing which topics to cover and which topics to ignore. There a several issues that are over covered, and several that are under covered.

I conclude, everyone sees a media game, but the media still sets the agenda (more or less)

 

[GhostAnime]

Are you sure that everyone sees the media game? I'm not convinced they do.

 

[Vermehlo_Steele]

Are you sure that everyone sees the media game? I'm not convinced they do.

most people see through the lies and distortions.

Generally a lot of people do, in my experience. But most and generally are, interesting words. I've yet to meet someone who actually cares of a politician gone bad or celebrity fluff story. Sportspeople are different, I guess parents worry that their kid's may be influenced more by a sportsperson rather than a pollie.

 

[Pansy :]]

I think that if you want to be famous then just expect the poporazi (don't you just love my spelling????) to follow you, and disrespect your privicy... if you don't like it then suck it up. Noone forced you to be fammous.

 

[Mankanshoku Mako]

I think that if you want to be famous then just expect the poporazi(don't you just love my spelling????)

I love your laziness.

to follow you, and disrespect your privicy...

And they should expect you to kick them in nuts, smash their camera, and tell them to piss off.

if you don't like it then suck it up.

So I'm supposed to just tolerate invasion of my privacy?

No_one forced you to be fammous.

Although you can't just stop being famous all of a sudden.

 

[Pansy :]]

I love your laziness.

Thank you

And they should expect you to kick them in nuts, smash their camera, and tell them to piss off.

Only if its well known that your on crack

So I'm supposed to just tolerate invasion of my privacy?

That's the price for being famous

Although you can't just stop being famous all of a sudden.

then don't try to become famous in the first place

 

[GhostAnime]

I suppose it's true that people who decide to become famous always anticipate that possible invasion of privacy.

But since this is a moral issue, does this mean the media should still do it?

 

[Vermehlo_Steele]

It depends entirely what the problem is.
{...}
However, if they did something like child abuse or rape, then that SHOULD be noted and made public.

uhh, I think it should be handled discreetly by the courts rather than have a storm of coverage and trial by media. Even criminals shouldn't be subjected to a media influenced trial.

 

[Willow's Tara]

Jenny- Ah excuse me but many people don't ask to be famous, some actors probably just do their job the way they should, just as that acting, they may not care about the fame or the money, but that still can't keep a papparazzi away, they should be allowed to do a job without being hassled.

And yes I believed in privacy rights, to be honest the media needs to back the hell off celebrities, seriously they are just like everyone else in the world. How about stop exposing affairs in magazines as well, yeah I am sure the person getting cheated on wanted to find out that way >.>

And nobody cares if you have a porn stash, especially if you are a guy, half of the guys in the world probably have one. And you know that person who's looking down on some celebrity for going to a nightclub or getting drunk or smoking, or drink driving, or speeding, or losing their temper, or taking drugs or who have porn stash are probably guilty of the same thing! So pretty much being hypocrites, and I don't care or think they are meant to be role models, and these said people are the same who have kids or people who look up to them as a role model but you don't see them stopping doing all of that.

 

[Aquanova]

Jenny- Ah excuse me but many people don't ask to be famous, some actors probably just do their job the way they should, just as that acting, they may not care about the fame or the money, but that still can't keep a papparazzi away, they should be allowed to do a job without being hassled.

And yes I believed in privacy rights, to be honest the media needs to back the hell off celebrities, seriously they are just like everyone else in the world. How about stop exposing affairs in magazines as well, yeah I am sure the person getting cheated on wanted to find out that way >.>

And nobody cares if you have a porn stash, especially if you are a guy, half of the guys in the world probably have one. And you know that person who's looking down on some celebrity for going to a nightclub or getting drunk or smoking, or drink driving, or speeding, or losing their temper, or taking drugs or who have porn stash are probably guilty of the same thing! So pretty much being hypocrites, and I don't care or think they are meant to be role models, and these said people are the same who have kids or people who look up to them as a role model but you don't see them stopping doing all of that.

I agree with this. Many famous people didnt ask to be famous, but became famous through their work. I think these people have a right to not have cameras shoved through the windows of their houses and cars. Like you and me they have the right to have a private life. People often forget that Actors singers and other celebrities are people too. Yes part of these people's job is getting photos taken and publicity but there has to be a line somewhere that the media dosent cross.