A piece on the BBC about a Facebook page showing photographs of women walking home after a night out, coupled with what is reported as some derogatory comments.
Fair depiction of actions in a public setting, or invasion of privacy? Censorship by the university or legitimate protection of students' privacy?
It depends upon what type of world you wish to live in. Would the women in question consent to this? Probably not. If so, the question becomes "do we now live in a society where this is to be expected and so people should act accordingly?". Personally, I think that a world in which people are free to make fools of themselves and not have a permanent record of such foolishness recorded for perpetuity, is one worth fighting for. So I say: unreasonable invasion of privacy. Not surprisingly, I also decry what I consider to be the absolutely ridiculous use of CCTV cameras throughout the UK and Ireland (including in a parking lot that contained more sheep than people on Valentia Island off the coast of Ireland, pop. 900) and cannot believe that people seem so accepting of them. Orwell must be turning in his grave.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely. I suspect a key problem is that people are scared. The words of Martin Niemoller are perhaps too extreme for the situation but they do come to my mind from time to time. he was writing about the Nazi regime in Germany
ReplyDeleteFirst they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.
I would not equate any of our political leaders with the Nazis but freedom is a precious gift.