header-logo header-logo

When is private information in the public interest?

31 March 2023 / Jeremy Clarke-Williams , Sophie Taraniuk
Issue: 8019 / Categories: Opinion , Public , Defamation , Privacy
printer mail-detail
117288
Is there any recourse for families at the centre of a media storm? Jeremy Clarke-Williams & Sophie Taraniuk assess whether the discourse surrounding the disappearance of Nicola Bulley crossed the line

Certain cases capture the public’s attention and generate an extraordinary volume of reportage, scrutiny, comment and speculation.

On 27 January 2023, Nicola Bulley’s disappearance quickly became the subject of very widespread and intense media coverage. How intense? Well, Private Eye (No 1593) reports that by 21 February 2023, the Daily Mirror had run 232 pieces about the matter while The Sun had published 175 articles, and MailOnline 328 (that works out at more than 13 a day).

Inevitably, this led to viral coverage on social media. The unusual and mysterious circumstances of Ms Bulley’s disappearance, coupled with the apparent lack of progress in finding her, led to widespread speculation and a number of self-styled ‘social media detectives’ even taking it upon themselves to visit the location. In due course this potent mixture

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll