How the media should handle private information from the Internet
Private information and images about people on the Internet may not be disseminated by the media without restrictions. This was stated by the Swiss Press Council in a statement.
The Complaints Board has taken up the topic of "Internet and privacy" on its own initiative. The question of whether it is permissible to disseminate or refer to information posted on the internet has become central to media professionals in the exercise of their profession.
In relation to the internet, publicity does not necessarily also mean "media publicity". The decisive factor is not only the intention with which someone exposes themselves in the public sphere on the Internet. Depending on their content, information or images retain their private character despite being published on the internet. In individual cases, journalists are therefore obliged to carefully weigh up which interest prevails: the public's right to information or a person's right to the protection of their private life.
In this assessment, the context in which the information was posted online is decisive. According to the Press Council, the following questions need to be clarified: Does the information appear on a social network such as Facbook or on an institutional website? Is the information intended for a small circle of recipients or for the general public? Is the author a private individual or publicly known?
Media professionals must also ensure that one of the requirements for identifying reporting is met. The cases listed in Guideline 7.2 on point 7 of the "Declaration", in which naming is permitted, also apply on the Internet: It must therefore be a public appearance, the person must be generally known and the information must be related to this, the person concerned has given their consent to their name being mentioned, the person holds a political office, they have a leading function in government or society, there is a risk of confusion or there is another overriding public interest in the name being mentioned.
In relation to the internet, publicity does not necessarily also mean "media publicity". The decisive factor is not only the intention with which someone exposes themselves in the public sphere on the Internet. Depending on their content, information or images retain their private character despite being published on the internet. In individual cases, journalists are therefore obliged to carefully weigh up which interest prevails: the public's right to information or a person's right to the protection of their private life.
In this assessment, the context in which the information was posted online is decisive. According to the Press Council, the following questions need to be clarified: Does the information appear on a social network such as Facbook or on an institutional website? Is the information intended for a small circle of recipients or for the general public? Is the author a private individual or publicly known?
Media professionals must also ensure that one of the requirements for identifying reporting is met. The cases listed in Guideline 7.2 on point 7 of the "Declaration", in which naming is permitted, also apply on the Internet: It must therefore be a public appearance, the person must be generally known and the information must be related to this, the person concerned has given their consent to their name being mentioned, the person holds a political office, they have a leading function in government or society, there is a risk of confusion or there is another overriding public interest in the name being mentioned.
