It looks as if everyone's worst fears have been realised.
Latest news:
(Caveat, Sun is a rag so approach with caution)
Prince William and Kate shocked as Aussie DJ hoax nurse kills herself | The Sun |News
This professional health carer must have been mortified as various stations around the world played the tape incessantly this week in a hilarious chortlefest (their description, not mine) and a proud woman driven to despair.
It ain't big and it ain't clever.
There has been much brouhaha about Press intrusion in the UK and the illegal and immoral methods used to get information. This 'prank' is not in that mould but there are similarities in illegally or immorally obtaining information for gain or entertainment. In the case of the gutter press and media, it's both.
I have sympathies on both sides. Those that actively seek publicity in order to gain, should not expect full legal protection and privacy, but those who are of 'celebrity' status through the inconvenience of being simply 'famous' I do not think should be hounded in this way.
This brings the subject of press freedom to the fore and a battle that is raging now as we speak. I do think the press should be self regulated and I agree with Cameron that once you start legislating press freedom, it is a very thin end of a fat wedge.
The BBC are under the cosh for careless broadcasting and I trust the Australian Radio Station concerned will likewise look inwardly for a bit of soul searching, if not legal prosecution.
I don't know, anyone have a view?
PS I would add that even if you think the British Royal Family a waste of space, it is not a relevant argument in this case.