Invasion of Privacy?

In this image made available Tuesday Oct. 2, 2007, from evidence presented at the inquest into the death of Diana Princes of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed. The head of Diana Princess of Wales, in the rear seat, her bodyguard Trevor Rees left, and driver Henri Paul are seen shortly before the car crash that killed Diana, her companion Dodi Fayed and the driver in Paris Aug. 31, 1997.

The deaths of Princess Diana, her companion Dodi Fayed and their driver, Henri Paul, on that tragic night of August 31, 1997 were, after six months and almost 250 witnesses, found to be caused by the gross negligence of their speeding driver and pursuing paparazzi. Because the accident happened in France, no British charges could be laid against the photographers.

Nine were charged with manslaughter in France, but the charges were thrown out in 2002. Three photographers, Jacques Langevin, Christian Martinez and Fabrice Chassery, were convicted of invasion of privacy for taking pictures of the couple and were each fined one euro in 2006.

Although Princess Di used publicity for her causes, she often appealed to the press to give her and her family space to live.Princess Di was used to being the most photographed woman in the world, but her linking up with Dodi al Fayed had thrown the scavengers of celebrity into a heightened state of alert. They wanted pictures that would pay and they would stop at nothing to get them.

If there is any doubt that the world of photography had gone insane, moments after Princess Di had been pronounced dead, the dilemma facing some British publishers was what to do about the pictures taken that fateful night. The National Enquirer's Coz said he would not purchase any such photos, in an effort "to send a message." Someone may well publish a picture from the tunnel, and to keep blood off its hands, the public must avert its eyes. We can blame the press only if we stop watching.