Public Interest, Media reporting and Renae Lawrence
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News headlines over the last two days highlight the need to distinguish ‘public interest’ from ‘what may interest the public’.
The saturation coverage of Renae Lawrence’s release from prison and her arrival in Australia is catering to voyeuristic interests of some members of the public rather than reporting on a matter of public interest.
As an aside it is also worth noting that to prevent a person from going where they’re entitled to go amounts to false imprisonment, while intentionally touching her without her consent and legal justification, amounts to assault, and both are legally actionable.
Ms Lawrence committed a crime for which she was imprisoned for a number of years. She may also be charged for a number of offences. So what!
Once again the media are creating public interest in someone who doesn’t fit the stereotype. Renae Lawrence is a woman who doesn’t appear to be middle class, nor fragile and feminine the way women are traditionally expected to look. Why promote stereotypes?
There are many newsworthy issues of public interest on which our media could be reporting, instead. Don’t we have a right to expect them to instinctively make this distinction.
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