In yet another case against the big, bad tabloid newspapers, British supermodel Naomi Campbell won her privacy lawsuit against London’s top tabloid The Mirror Wednesday.
She sued the paper for breach of confidence and invasion of privacy over a report that she was attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
This win comes on the heels of another victory for Campbell; last week, she successfully won a suit against her former personal assistant for the same allegations.
Although the damages awarded were minor — roughly $5,000 — an important landmark was set, which may affect the way the media report on celebrities in the future.
Judge Michael Morland told Reuters he backed the 31-year-old model’s claims, believing The Mirror indeed “trashed her as a person in a highly offensive and hurtful manner.”
However, he criticized Campbell as well, who has admitted to having a drug problem.
“She has shown herself over the years to be lacking in frankness and veracity with the media.”
The Mirror editor Piers Morgan told Reuters he thinks “the whole thing’s a complete joke” and probably won’t be appealing the judgment.
“To be honest, I’m just bored with the whole damn thing. I only wish the judge had put an order on us never to mention Naomi Campbell‘s name again.”
Britain’s press is self-regulatory and uses a code of practice in which the editors make the final decisions, which has been criticized by many public figures. The government has so far kept away from tackling the issue and instituting a more stringent regulation process for printing news.
Reuters reported that Campbell, who was in Los Angeles when the judgment was handed down, is said to be thrilled with the decision and will give her award to charity.
