It is in every author’s interest to contest any attempt by the State to introduce legislation regarding what can or cannot be the subject of media interest. Freedom of the press (TV, art and literature generally) is the cornerstone of a critical society that keeps its politicians in check. Democracy implies ‘the voice of the people’ and that voice must never be muted. We know that when there is oppression of any kind, people will tend to shy away from speaking up. They need the media to speak up for them.
To maintain an ethical code for decent, informative and investigative journalism merely requires heavier penalties for criminal and spuriously invasive activity together with front page retractions and apologies. A resort to existing law should always determine whether privacy violation is criminal or for the greater good.