1. INVASION OF PRIVACY MEDIA LAW

2. Greatest fault?  Three out of four in Times Mirror survey said news organizations invade people’s privacy.

3. Four ways to invade privacy  Intruding on person’s physical or mental solitude  Publishing or disclosing embarrassing personal facts.  Giving some publicity that places a person in a false light.  Using someone’s name or likeness for commercial benefit.

4. INVASION OF PRIVACY  Most privacy lawsuits do not succeed.

5. Physical or mental solitude  OK to photograph on a public street or at a public event.  Release form signed if in a private situation.  Galella vs. Onassis: Photographer ordered to stay away from her and her family.

6. Embarrassing Personal Facts  Personal facts used must be newsworthy.  Public officials have little legal protection from reporting about their private lives.  Public records (including court proceedings) are not private.

7. False Light  False light: what was implied about someone in a story is incorrect.  Time Inc. vs. Hill — 1955 Supreme Court ruled that actual malice must be proved in false light cases.  Cantrell vs. Forest City Publishing — 1974 Actual malice proved when reporter intimated that he had seen and spoken to widow.

8. How to Avoid False-Light Cases  Portray events and people truthfully.

9. Right of Publicity  Permission must be given to use someone’s name and likeness (especially important for advertising and public relations).  This right continues even after a person dies.