Ethical Question of the Day - Was The Sun Right To Publish Prince Harry's Naked Pics ?

The newspaper has defended its decision to publish the pictures on the grounds that several other newspapers outside the UK and website outlets have already done so.

The newspaper say that 'there is a clear public interest in publishing the Harry pictures, in order for the debate around them to be fully informed. The photos have potential implications for the Prince’s image representing Britain around the world'.

Palace’s lawyers, via the Press Complaints Commission, however, warned the UK’s newspapers against printing them, claiming they would breach Harry’s privacy and the PCC Code.

But has The Sun crossed the line ? Do the public have a right to know ?

Send in your views by emailing us at news@hereisthecity.com (all comments will be published on an anonymous basis).

Comments

1. 'You'd have thought by now that Murdoch's empire would have learned a few lessons. Obviously not'.

2. 'Scandalous. Words fail me. The arrogance of this newspaper group'.

3. 'This is more to do with the fact that The Sun wants to sell more newspapers than about any public interest case. I'm not interested in the least'.

4. 'I would think that this episode will do much for Prince Harry's street cred, and little to convince the public that Murdoch should still be owning newspapers'.

5. 'Frankly I'd have been amazed if The Sun hadn't published them. So predictable'.

6. 'The Sun's weak argument that this is a public interest case is flawed. Understandably as third in line to the throne his actions will be judged to a far higher standard than the average 27 year old. That said, no illegal acts were committed and the Prince is entitled to have a life and should be able to enjoy this in private!'.

7. 'Prince Harry has a right to a personal life and should be able to conduct it in private. The Sun is printed to appeal to cretins and the publishers should have their heads stuck on spikes at the Tower of London'.

8. There was no 'public interest' argument for publishing whatsoever - the public was already well aware of both the facts and the broad content of the pictures following the Sun's mock-up yesterday. The only 'public interest' involved is the potential prurient interest amongst parts of the public to see how Harry's nudity differs from the mock-up Personally, I despise the Sun and all associated with it - if this causes more of the public to do the same, then it could go the same way as the News of the World. However, I suspect that the paper's sales today may be higher than usual - which is sad.

9. 'The guy lives and parties on the government dole. The public has the right to know and see'.