Kinkikali

Public Right/Private Right: SeaWorld or SeeWorld

Earlier this year, a trainer got killed at SeaWorld with cameras rolling.  This tragic accident took a turn when the family of the trainer wanted the video footage sealed, citing privacy.

This brings up the question of privacy versus public right to know.  Do we all have the right to control our image?  Who decides what images are public domain or private propriety?  What about retroactively gaining ownership of  “public images”?

Public record (of the image variety) is so important for the public good.  Going in the opposite direction is only fair if it is all or nothing.  Giving certain groups the advantage to “cover up” is wrong and wrong.  And that is where the SeaWorld case is so important. Being in public means being the public…subject to the eyes and the lenses therein.