There are more and more instances of how the media constantly express an interest in individuals’ private lives. Stories of such intrusion on the behalf of the media can be seen on a daily basis. However, this has become quite problematic for most people who are afraid of losing their privacy in an unethical manner. The objective of this essay is to discuss that the media should not be allowed to invade individuals’ private lives because this would negatively affect people’s privacy; represent an ineffective form of collecting information; and such restrictions on the media could positively change people’s perception about its role in society.
The first reason as to why the media should not be allowed to invade individuals’ private lives is that this act would negatively affect people’s privacy. The latter is the most sacred part in one’s life and thus such invasion is meaningless and hurtful in most cases. Every individual needs to maintain his/her state of privacy, which actually emerges as his/her basic right. Therefore, the media’s intrusion into individuals’ private lives can result in quite negative reactions among people who may try their best not to expose any details related to their personal lives (Moreham 248). It has been indicated that private lives should not remain private rather than public as the media try to achieve that goal. There should be greater respect for individuals’ private lives despite that we live in a time where the word ‘respect’ even lost its initial meaning.
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"The Media Should Not Be Allowed to Invade Individuals’ Private Lives".
The second argument related to the discussion of media’s intrusion into individuals’ private lives is associated with the notion that similar acts are simply considered an ineffective form of gathering information about people. In fact, it can be stated that such information is unnecessary or irrelevant to the wide public, and thus such instances of media’s intrusion should be completely discouraged (Harlan 180). Even though the media may argue that transparency is one of their main principles, there should be certain limits that should be complied with as well as focus on the importance of privacy itself. The media should understand that there are particular aspects or areas of human life that should remain untouched or uncorrupted by others. This is the essence of privacy that should be promoted among the media in an attempt to maintain greater social responsibility and ethical attitude.
The third reason for not allowing the media to invade individuals’ private lives is that such abstinence from revealing people’s personal details in the public space can reflect in a positive perception of the role of the media in contemporary society. In other words, when the media do not demonstrate such aggressive methods to invade individuals’ private lives, people would feel more relaxed. In turn, they can change their perception about the media, as they would consider it simply a medium of communication based on social accountability, honesty and respect (Machamer and Boylan 47). It is time to alter certain negative opinions regarding the role of the media in society, implying that people should become more confident in relation to the tools and strategies implemented by the media. However, this can be only possible if the media restrain from any forms of intrusion into individuals’ private lives.
This essay discussed three main points as to why the media should not be allowed to invade individuals’ private lives. First, concerns about violating people’s privacy were demonstrated. Second, such media’s intrusion into people’s lives was considered an inefficient form of gathering specific information. Third, it has been argued that if the media stops invading individuals’ private lives, people would positively change their perception of the media’s role in society. In conclusion, there should be significant limits placed on the media regarding any forms of intrusion into individuals’ private lives.
- Harlan, Leigh. “When Privacy Fails: Invoking a Property Paradigm to Mandate the Destruction of DNA Samples.” Duke Law Journal 54.1 (2004): 179-219.
- Machamer, Peter and Barbara Boylan. “Freedom, Information and Privacy.” Business & Professional Ethics Journal 12.3 (1993): 47-68.
- Moreham, NA. “A Review of The Law of Privacy and the Media by Michael Tugendhat; Iain Christie.” The Cambridge Law Journal 64.1 (2005): 247-249.
