Survey pushes for greater privacy
A survey finds TV footage of a person grieving, using a hidden camera, or revealing a person’s sexual preferences is an invasion of privacy.
- Published by David Knox
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- Filed under News
A survey by the media watchdog is looking to shape guidelines on privacy in broadcasting.
Commissioned by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, it asked 1200 Australians a series of questions about privacy in news and current affairs reporting.
93 per cent of people believe it is either ‘very important’ or ‘somewhat important’ for broadcasters to safeguard a person’s privacy in news and current affairs programs.
Between two-thirds and three-quarters of people believe extensive footage of a person grieving, using a hidden camera, or revealing information about a person’s sexual preferences are ‘very intrusive’ of personal privacy.
There was also a high disregard for broadcasting personal material from online social media sites where access has been restricted to online friends.
The survey used several case examples to gauge reactions, including the Kyle Sandilands lie detector controversy from radio and the Seven News footage of NSW politician David Campbell leaving a sex-on-premises venue.
However, current affairs shows were seen by some participants as giving ‘underdogs’ or ‘victims’ a voice, and exposing wrong-doers, whether as individuals or corporations. But some people felt they were prone to one-sided reporting.
Draft guidelines on privacy for broadcasters are available for comment on ACMA’s website.
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4 Responses
He was a public figure and Police Minister, so fair game
Misery porn has become a truly egregious staple of Australian news reporting. Just this morning, ABC News Breakfast led with footage of the memorial for the Logan fire victims. It’s reprehensible. As for the current affairs “underdog” thing, many of the “victims” who turn up on Today Tonight and A Current Affair are anything but. They’re often the kinds of people who throw tantrums because they’re too lazy/stupid to read fine print and contracts, yet we’re supposed to feel outraged for them.
All this said, this is ACMA we’re talking about. Nothing significant will come of this.
I don’t watch the tripe that passes for news on Seven or Nine but occasionally I’m made aware of their disgustingly intrusive practices of stalking victims such as the poor girl who was held hostage with the fake bomb recently. However, over the last few years, this malaise has been creeping into the way that the ABC reports on these types of matters, too.
The way that people accused but yet to be found guilty of crimes have their face and other personal details such as where they live broadcast on TV is a major concern also. Let’s just bring back mob lynching and save everybody’s time.
They just realise this now? I remember Seven News and Nine News using helicopters to film the grieving family of a man who was shot and showing his body laying on the ground.