Recently I was covering the house of Jill Kelly, the socialite who started the investigation that forced Gen Patraeus to resign. There were many cameras representing many news media outlets on all sides of her house. One day in particular Ms. Kelly sat in a chair in front of an uncovered window for a period of about 30 minutes. She was doing nothing special, just going about her business. As she had come home earlier and seen the cameras, as well as complained about them to the police, she as well aware of their presence. To my knowledge all the cameras stayed on the sidewalk.

It is my understanding that using a zoom lens to look into a window of a house, covered or not, can be considered an invasion of privacy. While a wide shot of the house would be acceptable. I am very glad I as not there at the time this happened, as I would have been uncomfortable zooming in to her, but would have felt extreme pressure from the producer to do so. I was worried it would happen again and I would be forced to make a decision. Thankfully I was not.

Please comment on your experience with this type of situation, and what would you do, as well as what SHOULD you do. I understand that would and should are not always equal. If anyone has actual case law that would be great, especially if it is a Florida case.