The Physician, the Media, and the 'Spectacular' Case

THE PRESS came into the operating theater 20 years ago when Christiaan Barnard, MD, electrified the world by performing the first human heart transplant. Since then, physicians with a "spectacular" medical case have found themselves, their patients, and their projects in the unwavering spotlight of the press. In our media-intrusive society, the spectacular case confronts physician-researchers with dilemmas unknown to their professional forebears. If the research happens to be conducted in the United States, the problems—or opportunities—tend to be intensified. American press organizations are unique in that their freedom to report news is guaranteed by the national constitution, and freedom and protection from previous restraint cannot be limited by government. Legislation and judicial decisions during the past quarter century have tended to make reporters' access to information easier, and citizens' recourse in libel actions more difficult. Consider these factors in relation to a spectacular, newsworthy medical case, especially one where