In light of the recent criticism that the media have received regarding the leak of the fact that Prince Harry has been serving in Afghanistan from the Drudge Report, I believe that the media’s actions cross the line. The media often wonder why readers distrust them, and this is a clear example why. The media had a prior agreement with military defense to withhold the information. Not only does the leak bring up ethical concerns, but also legal ramifications as well. While Prince Harry is a public figure and does have a lower expectation of privacy, I don’t believe that there was any public benefit or newsworthiness in publishing the information. Under a democratic society, the media have stripped him of what we value most – liberty and freedom of choice. If anything, the publishing of the information puts individuals in harm’s way, considering it involves war and human lives. I really don’t think it would have hurt the media if they waited until Prince Harry was finished at battle to publish the story. If they could have waited, they probably would have a better story in the long run and greater positive feedback from readers. It would have been one thing if the media discovered on their own that the prince was in Afghanistan, but the fact that they went against the agreement is simply a portrayal of vindictiveness and loss of credibility on the media’s part.
Prince Harry Media Leak March 4, 2008
In light of the recent criticism that the media have received regarding the leak of the fact that Prince Harry has been serving in Afghanistan from the Drudge Report, I believe that the media’s actions cross the line. The media often wonder why readers distrust them, and this is a clear example why. The media had a prior agreement with military defense to withhold the information. Not only does the leak bring up ethical concerns, but also legal ramifications as well. While Prince Harry is a public figure and does have a lower expectation of privacy, I don’t believe that there was any public benefit or newsworthiness in publishing the information. Under a democratic society, the media have stripped him of what we value most – liberty and freedom of choice. If anything, the publishing of the information puts individuals in harm’s way, considering it involves war and human lives. I really don’t think it would have hurt the media if they waited until Prince Harry was finished at battle to publish the story. If they could have waited, they probably would have a better story in the long run and greater positive feedback from readers. It would have been one thing if the media discovered on their own that the prince was in Afghanistan, but the fact that they went against the agreement is simply a portrayal of vindictiveness and loss of credibility on the media’s part.