J. K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling, author of Harry Potter and mother of her eight-year-old daughter have recently been featured in OK! Magazine.  There was a complaint made by Rowling that their privacy had been unlawfully invaded.  Rowlings’ daughter had photographs used of her in the magazine at a party in a swimsuit, when on holiday in Mauritius on the beach.  The beach area where they were staying was private and only accessible to residents of the hotel.

The photographs of Rowlings’ daughter were not in the interest of the public and they have now opened her up to scrutiny that would not have existed before she had become the victim of the paparazzi.  However, there is always an understandable level of interest in relations of famous figures of the media. 

These elements however we believe should not be used against the person in question because of the unfairness of the situation. The publication of the image of Rowlings daughter was supposed to be included as a ‘family shot’ because it was in-keeping with the accompanying article.  Rowling complained that publications should seek the consent from parents before publishing pictures of young children, which might unfairly embarrass them. 

This type of privacy complaint was also made by Prime Minister and Mrs Blair against the Daily Sport concerning a photograph of their son.  This was used to sustain the argument between Rowling and OK! Magazine because there was also no consent or effort made towards privacy for a photo, which had been taken and published of their son whilst also in a private beach area.

However, these events will become more and more apparent because of the high amount of money, on average £10,000, the paparazzi photographers can receive at one time.  A stricter remedy should be made available to respect the privacy and family life of famous people.  This should include the dis-use of long-lens photography in places where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy. 

Overall, greater protection to children under 16 is needed where the welfare of the child is involved and when it requires a justification other than being the child of a famous parent for publishing material about their private life.