Seven News coverage of bike death could be first major test of new privacy rules
Seven News is under growing pressure over the question of whether it intruded into the privacy of a mother whose daughter had died in a quad bike accident.
A family friend has published a detailed post questioning the network’s version of events in a move that makes it increasingly likely that the complaint may be among the first tests of the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s new privacy guidelines.
As Mumbrella reported yesterday, Linda Goldspink-Lord claimed that Seven News invaded her privacy through use of helicopter shots of her with her daughter’s body. Seven denies this.
She accused the network of causing “pain and harassment” and claimed that a journalist was on private property. Her comments on the Seven News Facebook page were deleted by the network.
Ouch.
How about we put ourselves in others shoes? Can we truly imagine what they are going through?
No. Not unless we’ve been there before.
There’s a difference between getting the job done, and knowing if its right.
Sooner or later, something bad is going to happen to these ‘reporters’ that will spark further controversy.
Ouch.
This par is misleading:
“The guidelines now state that “A person’s seclusion may be intruded upon where: he or she would have a reasonable expectation that his or her activities would not be observed or overheard by others; and a person of ordinary sensibilities would consider the broadcast of these activities to be highly offensive.” ”
Yes, that’s what the guidelines state, but it’s meant to be a definition, not a prescription. Here’s a more accurate version:
Basically, the issue comes down to a question of public interest. The guidelines spell out when a person’s seclusion may be intruded upon: if there is no consent, and if the material is not in the public domain, then the broadcast of the material needs to be in the public interest. Otherwise, the broadcast is in breach of the privacy code.
The media ghouls don’t always work for the public interest. Lindy Chamberlain endured trial by media which led to her being jailed, then released, then exonerated after 30 years.
I wouldn’t have wasted my time making threats or having a conversation about police and News Directors.
Arrest the buffoons yourself. Detain the crew and pilot.
NSW has quite broad citizens arrest laws. 7 years for resisting arrest.
Once their actions leading to arrest become the story, they’re losing. As they are now, though time increases the pain somewhat.
The police and magistrates would likely be sympathetic to such a course of action if they had indeed:
Committed assault. I’d consider egregious personal intrusion at a time of, and being aware of, immediate trauma and grief to be arguable assault here to the victim’s “health and comfort”
Unlawfully landed a vehicle on your property. CASA would likely be unamused as no emergency had been declared or warranted. And presumably no permission to land given.