Newsworthy: The Supreme Court Battle over Privacy and Press Freedom

There is an inherent tension between the freedom of the press and the privacy of individuals involved in newsworthy events. Barbas (law, Univ. of Buffalo Sch. of Law) examines this tension through the lens of the pivotal U.S. Supreme Court case of Time, Inc. v. Hill. In 1952, the Hill family was held hostage by escaped convicts. Media interest in their story was high, but eventually the Hills were able to return to their regular lives. Years later, a novel loosely based on their experience led to theatrical and cinematic adaptations and, crucially, an article in Life magazine. Barbas here documents the Hills' legal battle to limit the ability of the press to invade the private lives of citizens and the eventual Supreme Court case that shaped the landscape we have today. Barbas leaves no stone unturned as she shares the story of the case as it evolved. Especially impressive is the degree to which the author illuminates the ways in which the law is shaped by the individuals involved in creating it.