I found this article on The Times website about BBC radio presenters Russell Brand (who hosted the MTV Video Awards) and his partner Jonathan Ross. A few weeks ago Russell and Jonathan prank called Andrew Sachs (an British actor) and left lewd messages on his answering machine about Russell Brand having a sexual relationship with Andrew Sachs granddaughter Georgina Baillie. The messages were broadcast on the radio and since then the BBC has received 27,000 complaints from listeners about the lewd comments made by the radio presenters. Since the broadcast Russell Brand has resigned and his partner Jonathan Ross is also on his way out the door. The BBC is now fearful that Georgina Baillie will sue the company for invasion of privacy, stating that "at the time this was broadcast Georgina had a reasonable expectation that this was a private matter. Merely because Brand is a celebrity, he doesn’t have the right to broadcast details of private sexual liaisons.” I honestly do not believe that Ms. Baillie has a case, she did in fact have sex with Russell Brand knowing that he was a celebrity and a radio presenter. There was not an invasion of privacy, she is just embarrassed that she became a punch line on a radio show.
If you would like to view the article, go to: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article5042870.ece
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I would have to disagree with you in regards to her not having a case. Even though Mr. Brand is a celebrity, Ms. Baillie had a reasonable expectation that this was a private matter. I am assuming when Ms. Baillie and Mr. Brand had their sexual relationship it was done in the privacy of a home. (It might be a completely different matter if they were seen in a more public venue engaging in sexual activities.) Mr. Brand because of his celebrity status does not have the right to go around and publicize the names of particular people he has had relations with, especially since it was done in such an offensive manner. As our book states "it is illegal to publicize private information about a person if the matter that is publicized 1) would be highly offensive to a reasonable person, and 2) is not of legitimate public concern or interest."
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