The International Forum for Responsible Media Blog
In a judgment handed down on 16 April 2014, Mr Justice Dingemans (pic) awarded Paul Weller’s three children a total of £10,000 damages for misuse of private information ([2014] EWHC 1163 (QB)).
The case arose out of seven paparazzi photos which were published by Mail Online in October 2012 under the headline “A family day out: Paul Weller takes wife Hannah and his twin sons out for a spot of shopping in the hot LA sun“. Continue reading
On 20 May 2013, the Court of Appeal handed down judgment in AAA v Associated Newspapers ([2013] EWCA Civ 554). It held that the Claimant, a child, did not have her rights under Article 8 breached by an article in the Daily Mail which speculated that her father was Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. The Judgment raises interesting questions as to the extent to which the behaviour of a child’s parent affects the former’s expectation of privacy. Continue reading
If you want to find mistakes in papers look at the pictures. The Sun on Sunday has just paid out in a libel settlement after running a story about a man discovering he was the son of Fred West – but the picture they printed on the front page was the man’s half-brother who was entirely unconnected to the serial killer. It has been reported that a five figure sum has changed hands as a result. Continue reading
The law of privacy has once again been thrust into the spotlight in the aftermath of the publication of topless photographs of the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, by French magazine Closer, rapidly followed by a newspaper in Ireland, and magazines in Italy, Norway and Denmark. Continue reading
So Kate and Wills have now jetted back from the South Pacific and are lying low after French Closer published topless pictures of the Duchess under the headline “OH MY GOD!” and other publications followed suit. Continue reading
The recent publication of topless pictures of The Duchess of Cambridge in a French magazine, following so closely after the exposure of Prince Harry’s nocturnal activities in Las Vegas, has returned the issue of the private lives of public figures to the forefront of the news once again. Coming as Lord Justice Leveson prepares his report arising from the eponymous inquiry, there are a number unresolved debates relating to the publication of private information about celebrities or public figures such as the royal family. Continue reading
So, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been successful in obtaining an injunction against Closer magazine from the Tribunal de Grande Instance de Nanterre, preventing the magazine from re-publishing or selling topless pictures of the Duchess. Is that the end of the story? Far from it, the story will continue for ever thanks to the internet. Continue reading
As the froth dissipates it is worth reflecting on what lessons the saga of the Prince Harry photographs has for the media regulation debate. There is a natural tendency to conclude that this is another passing “silly season” story – with as much wider significance as the Essex lion. After all Prince Harry holds no public office and the invasions of his privacy were relatively minor in the scheme of things. Such a conclusion would be too hasty. The absurd affair of Prince Harry’s bum is nevertheless a very clear and illuminating example of what remains wrong with the tabloid press and, we suggest, provides five important lessons for the media regulation debate. Continue reading
The internet has, today, been buzzing with stories about Prince Harry “cavorting naked” in his hotel suite in Las Vegas. It is said that the photographs are available on US celebrity websites – but the British press have rightly held back from publishing even “edited highlights”. Continue reading
A small child whose father is alleged to be a philandering politician has won £15,000 privacy damages at the High Court. The mother of the girl, identified only as AAA, has not named the father on her daughter’s birth certificate and wants to find the “right time” to reveal his identity to her.
Mrs Justice Nicola Davies (pictured), in a judgment ([2012] EWHC 2103 (QB)) handed down after a six-day private hearing in London, said the professional position of the supposed father, a married elected politician, spoke for itself. Continue reading
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