Media 7 - Wednesday 15th July - Privacy

Media7 this week looks at privacy which is an area of growing friction between the media and ordinary citizens.

We have all seen the sensational and sometimes lurid coverage of celebrities and their families which can erupt in the tabloid press, on talk-back radio and on television when yesterday’s hero is revealed to have problems with the law, relationships or drugs and alcohol.

But do the celebrities bring it on themselves in the good times by their relentless self-promotion and the acceptance of fat fees for “exclusive”stories about them and their families.

Kristin Dunne-Powell was never a celebrity nor did she seek the limelight, but her life was invaded and her morals and values were put under the media microscope when details of her relationship with the former TVNZ sports’ broadcaster Tony Veitch became a sensational story which ran for months.

Media7 will look at how journalists behaved as this story and its actors were pursued beyond the limits of professional ethical behaviour.

Top Media Lawyer, Tracey Walker and Sunday Star Times Deputy Editor, Miriama Alexander will then discuss the rights and wrongs of this and several other prominent cases with host Russell Brown.

Media7 will also be examining new concerns over the privacy of New Zealanders.

In an age where cameras are almost everywhere and almost anyone is “fair game”, private citizens can become public property and suffer the consequences when they’re caught on a security camera or even covertly filmed for a “reality” or a consumer’s rights’ TV series.

“Target”Executive Producer Vincent Burke; Philly Isles, the producer of reality shows like “Police 10/7” and lawyer Steven Price will debate the rights and wrongs of this top-rating genre which can unmask wrong-doers but also expose ordinary people to public shame and other consequences.

On a completely different note, Media7 is also looking at the current (and expensive) advertising and publicity campaigns being waged by rival telcos for a slice of the lucrative mobile-phone and data market.

NBR business journalist Hazel Phillips and Dave Walden CEO of TBWA Whybin will be joining Russell Brown to sort out the good, the bad and the downright ugly messages that are being delivered by the media.

Media7 is recorded in front of a live audience in Auckland’s Classic Comedy Theatre on Wednesday evening at 6.00pm.

The show is broadcast at 9.10pm on Thursday on TVNZ 7 and is replayed several times during the week.

It is also available on demand from TVNZ’s website, can be downloaded as a podcast and is available on YouTube and Sky Channel 97.

This week is our last filming at the Comedy Club. From Wednesday 22nd July we will be filming at TVNZ in their Studio 3. Same day, same time, same hot topics. We hope you will keep coming along as we believe our audience is a vital ingredient in the success of the show. We value your input and at Media 7 we’re always on the look out for stories. If you have a media issue that you think needs addressing, drop me a line – you never know, you could wind up on the panel!

ENDS

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