Whittingdale and the ex-dominatrix: conspiracy of silence or good press behaviour?

This is the original version of an article that appeared in Newsweek on 13.4.16. The John Whittingdale ‘dominatrix’ story is a classic case study of the eternal balancing act between the right to privacy and the public interest in disclosure. In practice this is rarely a purely ethical or editorial decision. Inevitably, legal, political and taste issues will come into play. The circumstantial details are vital. Yes, ‘publish and be damned’ but in a country without a First Amendment, there has to be a justification.