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v. Hill, 385 U.S. 374 (1967), regarding the
widespread publication of personal matters:
One need only pick up any newspaper
or magazine to comprehend the vast
range of published matter which
exposes persons to public view, both
private citizens and public officials.
Exposure of the self to others in varying
degrees is a concomitant of life in a
civilized community. The risk of this
exposure is an essential incident of life
in a society which places a primary
value on freedom of speech and of press.
Freedom of discussion, if it would fulfill
its historic function in this nation, must
embrace all issues about which
information is needed or appropriate to
enable the members of society to cope
with the exigencies of their period. (385
U.S. at 388).
Given this broad language as to what is
protected by Constitutional freedom of the press, as
stated by Professor McCarthy, it is no wonder that:
"Judges are uncomfortable with deciding that some
information which is demanded by some people is of
’no concern’ to the public." Accordingly, "most judges
in fact have adopted a laissez faire attitude and
’simply accept the press’s judgment about what is
and what is not newsworthy.’" 2 J. Thomas
McCarthy, The Rights of Publicity and Privacy, §
8:51, p.181 (2d ed. 2009).