The right to privacy vs the right to information: case studies

Abstract

The current study sets out to analyse the existing tension between two fundamental human rights: the right to privacy and the right to information. This study was conducted through a thorough analysis of the newspaper coverage of three local cases concerning the area of privacy: Prof. Abraham Galea, a well-known local psychiatrist, Siamese twins daughters of Michelang and Rina Attard from Gozo and Police Commissioner George Grech. In-depth interviews with both journalists and non-journalists were held to deepen the understanding of the complex issue. The findings showed a clear distinction between private and public figures, with the latter's right to privacy being very limited. Another distinction that came out was in the responses of journalists and non-journalists with the latter deeming more weight to the motion of public interest. The findings showed that while general consensus exists on the importance of the right to privacy, its interpretation when applied to concrete cases has proved to be very subjective and also very limited.