PRESS RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
Channel 5 pays substantial damages for the third time in 6 weeks for misuse of private information relating to ‘Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away!’
National broadcaster Channel 5 and production company Brinkworth Films Limited have agreed to pay substantial damages to Natasha Lowe, and have publicly apologised to her, for distress caused as a result of their misuse of her private information in the broadcast and production of ‘Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away!’.
This is the third case Channel 5 and Brinkworth Films have agreed to settle over the past 6 weeks, having also settled claims from Neelam Zarghune and Melanie Gray in similar circumstances.
Natasha Lowe was filmed in a state of distress having arrived home to find High Court Enforcement Agents threatening to seize her possessions unless she could prove ownership, in respect of a debt owed by her then-partner. Natasha asked the film crew to leave, but the High Court Enforcement Agents remained at her property. Footage from the High Court Enforcement Agents’ bodycams and radio microphones was subsequently incorporated into an episode of ‘Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away!’ and broadcast to 9.9 million people, misusing her private information.
Simon Burn, the solicitor who represented all three successful claimants said:
“These cases are an expensive reminder for broadcasters and producers of the need to respect the privacy of private individuals in the making of so called ‘observational documentary’ series. The TV shows are made for public entertainment under the guise of a public interest, when in reality they expose vulnerable people to humiliation, ridicule and upset. It is right that victims should be properly compensated for a gross violation of their rights.”
Notes for Editors:
Simon Burn Solicitors is a litigation boutique; known for complex and detailed specialist advice to both company directors and organisations; particularly in the field of insolvency related litigation, directors’ disqualification work and commercial, publication and privacy related litigation.
SBS has an outstanding track record and is known as the firm which broke Manolete Partners claim of being ‘never beaten in Court’.
www.simonburn.com
National broadcaster Channel 5 and production company Brinkworth Films Limited have agreed to pay substantial damages to Natasha Lowe, and have publicly apologised to her, for distress caused as a result of their misuse of her private information in the broadcast and production of ‘Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away!’.
This is the third case Channel 5 and Brinkworth Films have agreed to settle over the past 6 weeks, having also settled claims from Neelam Zarghune and Melanie Gray in similar circumstances.
Natasha Lowe was filmed in a state of distress having arrived home to find High Court Enforcement Agents threatening to seize her possessions unless she could prove ownership, in respect of a debt owed by her then-partner. Natasha asked the film crew to leave, but the High Court Enforcement Agents remained at her property. Footage from the High Court Enforcement Agents’ bodycams and radio microphones was subsequently incorporated into an episode of ‘Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away!’ and broadcast to 9.9 million people, misusing her private information.
Simon Burn, the solicitor who represented all three successful claimants said:
“These cases are an expensive reminder for broadcasters and producers of the need to respect the privacy of private individuals in the making of so called ‘observational documentary’ series. The TV shows are made for public entertainment under the guise of a public interest, when in reality they expose vulnerable people to humiliation, ridicule and upset. It is right that victims should be properly compensated for a gross violation of their rights.”
Notes for Editors:
Simon Burn Solicitors is a litigation boutique; known for complex and detailed specialist advice to both company directors and organisations; particularly in the field of insolvency related litigation, directors’ disqualification work and commercial, publication and privacy related litigation.
SBS has an outstanding track record and is known as the firm which broke Manolete Partners claim of being ‘never beaten in Court’.
www.simonburn.com
