In the age of media, it has become intriguing for celebrities to keep themselves away from the spotlight. Whether public figures should give or give not first-hand information to the media, has become a widely celebrated debate among media outlets. Some people opine that the idea of freedom of expression; freedom of the press, should not be exploited, especially when it comes to private lives. Others hold that when one has decided to be a public influencer, then one should be an open book. However, I would support the former. Privacy infringement should also have limits. There is a dire need to understand human nature, obtain consent, and keep media ethics, before broadcasting a piece of news.
The privacy of a person becomes subject matter as soon as he starts influencing the public. Mass media keeps his fans updated about their ideal. A public icon becomes an inspiration for hundreds if not thousands. People who idealise someone aspire to appreciate their hero. The media delivers them the purpose. Likewise, the media keeps a close eye on celebrities and inculcates them with a sense of accountability.
The privacy of any public personality should be revealed depending upon the nature of the things and the environment under which an action was done. To begin with, a public figure should not be taken as a superhuman who is less prone to commit mistakes and blunders. So, considering human nature, the media should react sensibly. A mad race for breaking a piece of news among media channels has become a part of journalism. Sometimes the family; which everyone is sensitive about, of an imminent person comes under the clutches of media propaganda. It unleashes public backlash. In such a situation expecting a plain reaction from the head of the family is unreal.
Therefore, before broadcasting any family news, the media should have a few basic ethics. Showing constraint and patience should be emphasized by media handles. Media platforms should learn to differentiate between responding and reacting because they play a pivotal role in shaping public opinion. Every piece of news is not meant to be public without consent and proper authentication.
Let’s boil down the discussion. Living as a public icon is not easy. Most of the time they remain under the media coverage. The public is curious to interact with their idols and the media mediate the process. However, it becomes a burden when it comes to personal life at some points. So, there should be some limitations to freedom of the press or at least censorship regulations to keep human dignity intact.