Privacy v Gossip

Many people are so paranoid that they think there is some kind of conspiracy on the part of the government. On February 15, 2012 we learned that unmanned drones are now being used by law enforcement in order to assist in surveillance and arrests which further fueled the theories. We also heard that drones are being used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to watch glaciers and they have spread to non government users like real estate agencies. The sale of drones to private entities has the Airline Pilot Association concerned if it gets out of hand and they get in the way of flights.

It fascinates me that people want their privacy. On March 13, 2012 I heard a 12 year old girl was suing her school for demanding her FaceBook password because she posted negative comments about a hall monitor; we want the schools to stop bullies but keep their hands tied. And apparently some employers, including the federal government and colleges are asking for the passwords before they hire or allow students admittance; it was pointed out that parents don’t even have legal access to their kid’s passwords. Some say reading the FaceBook page is like reading a diary while others say FaceBook or any internet site is public information and others say if someone’s information is protected (limited to who sees it and who the person communicates with) that it’s private information. With all the crazies out there we must remember that Craig’s List has helped murderers find victims, the social network (internet) is used to brainwash or bully people, support human trafficking (on April 4 the UN reported that 2.4 million people are victims of human trafficking), help sex offenders find young children and stalkers to find their prey. On December 15, 2011 we heard a Judge wouldn’t issue Selena Gomez a permanent (3 year) restraining order (she has letters from the stalker saying that God told him to kill her) until after he heard from her stalker on January 6th; there is a temporary order in place and the stalker has admitted to the stalking and agrees with Selena that he can’t stop himself; he’s on a psychiatric hold as he has a history of stalking people – the point here is the girl should be made to feel safe, not the predator; the judge did extend the temporary restraining order. On April 23 President Obama signed an Executive Order allowing US sanctions against nations using the social network or cell phone technology to carry out civil rights abuses. So, I’m not sure we want to continue with touting the US Constitution and privacy rights to allow criminals to continue with their horrid ways.

Apparently the average person doesn’t think celebrities are entitled to their privacy. And Americans are not the only ones obsessed with celebrity’s lives and keep tabloids and reality shows around the world alive while real newspapers go under. On January 28, 2011 on the View it was pointed out that we’re so consumed with gossip that there’s a book outing stars as Gay or Bisexual. And I don’t think that 911 calls by celebrities should be public information as they may hesitate to call and the failure to call could cost them their lives. This obsession is why we have paparazzi chasing people causing accidents, tabloids making false accusations and the scandal involving Rupert Murdoch, owner of the tabloid News of the World, Fox News and the Wall Street Journal. I don’t know why anyone is surprised about phone hacking, reporters going to any length to get a story, bribes to law enforcement for scoops or politicians turning a blind eye to a situation when there are big bucks involved. If you didn’t want the gossip these things wouldn’t happen. I find this behavior offensive as everyone has a right to some privacy but I’m sure this industry knows interviews and photo shoots won’t soothe the gossip beast. I found it disgusting that Charlotte Church at age 13 was asked to sing at a wedding – her offer was the usual (negative) or positive press. On January 19 I heard that Rupert Murdoch’s News International settled with 36 high profile people in the phone hacking scandal and just recently although he did none of the acts personally he was accepting responsibility for what his staff did.

The need for gossip should not override a person’s right to privacy and I think we’re lackadaisical when it comes to the paparazzi. I also think if you have nothing to hide it shouldn’t matter if the government, the schools or parents have your password or if there’s a drone in your neighborhood.