THE RIGHT OF THE PATIENTS TO THEIR PRIVACY IN THE MEDIA SPACE IN THE LIGHT OF CHURCH DOCTRINE AND POSITIVE LAWS OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

ABSTRACT

The speech about examples of violation in the context of discussion of the right to privacy is especially relevant in the modern, digital age. Although it directly concerns the protection of the inner area of the human person, his conscience, private and family life, it actually affects many areas of society. In the context of talking about the right to privacy, the role of the media is very important. The activities of the media are focused on the public sphere, they concern the right to information, and the right to privacy to the personal. Therefore, the legal regulations of both goods are often in conflict. When subjects are entitled to patients' privacy, the problem is further complicated by the fact that in some cases health care takes on the character of an issue of general interest. This was especially evident in the media coverage of the COVID 19 pandemic. Does it aim to provide some answers to questions such as Is it in the public interest to know above the dignity of patients? When and why is it important not to diagnose patients? Who benefits from unethical and bioethical careless reporting? The ultimate purpose of the paper is to sensitize the media when it comes to presenting facts about a person's health condition, guided by positive civil laws, principles of church doctrine and provisions in the canon law area. The intention of the paper is not to properly assess individual cases, but to open questions with a general overview and prevent the negative consequences of the wrong approach and insensitivity to the issues that are the subject of this paper. © 2022 University of Split. All rights reserved.