Situation Definition
In Windsor, Ontario, rumors were flying about Mayor David Burr and his relationship with his then secretary. On top of the rumors, the news leaked of Burr separating from his wife at the time. Shortly after an article was posted about the separation, Burr announced that he would be traveling to Japan, Hong Kong, and China for a trade mission. Along for the ride was his secretary, who had no credentials for accompaniment on the trip, and was also being funded by taxpayer dollars. A curious Marty Beneteau questioned the itinerary of the trip in the council meeting. Burr talked about what would happen on the trip and who was going, but nothing was mentioned about his relationship with his secretary Kim Wilson.
Beneteau was faced with two ethical dilemmas in this situation- the exposure of a public figure’s personal life and the reputation of his work as a journalist.
Analysis
The initial issue that Beneteau had to consider was whether or not this information was something that the public needed to know. Foreman states that “Journalists cannot delve into a person’s past to report notorious information if that information has no bearing on the person’s present life, or if it is something that the public has no legitimate interest in” (2016).
After thought and deliberation, Beneteau and his colleagues had decided that this issue had finally hit the point of becoming legitimate public interest. “Beneteau contacted the mayor by telephone at his home, explained the situation and asked: ‘Is Kim Wilson your girlfriend?’ Burr, who was upset about the line of questioning, acknowledged that he had heard the rumor since his separation and flatly denied it. The conversation ended abruptly” (Beneteau & Brennan, 1985).
Peterson talks about a book by John Stayner titled Intimate Politics: Publicity, Privacy and the Personal Lives of Politicians in Media-Saturated Democracies. Stayner mentions that politicians have a personal sphere which includes “the inner life of a politician, significant relationships, and an individual’s life space” (Peterson, 2013). Stayner argues that there are factors that can be used to “understand international differences in a nonconsensual release of a politician’s personal information” (2013). These can range from things like household income and details about their spouses (2013).
Although unfair, politicians signed up for a life in the limelight. When rumors are spreading about them and their personal lives, it is bound to end up in print, on television, or, in today’s world, in social media. Although not directly stated in the constitution, the public has a right to information. “An individual’s desire for privacy is trumped by the media’s duty to report on the public performance of of public officials, crimes, and accidents,” (Foreman, 2016).
When it comes to the object of credibility, Beneteau had to make sure he was giving his readers what they wanted to hear, but also making sure the information was accurate and did not incorrectly diminish Burr’s reputation.
In a study by Cecile Gaziano and Kristen McGrath, evidence was found that credibility suffers when the audience believes that their newspaper isn’t correctly demonstrating ideas or information to its public (1987). “Respondents appeared to be the most supportive of press freedoms when the press was seen as a watchdog over government” (1987). At The Star, the newspaper in which Beneteau holds employment, the assistant metro editor Doug Firby undoubtedly agreed that this topic was of public interest (Beneteau & Brennan, 1985).
Beneteau and Firby discussed when and where this issue should be put into writing. They decided the best place for it was in the bottom of a 21-paragraph story, summarized in two sentences (1985).
Naturally, Beneteau and The Star received backlash from Burr for posting this information. Burr continued to deny it while secretary Wilson came out to admit it after an assortment of proof came into the public eye. The two got married on October 29, 1988.
Conclusion
When facing issues such as this one, it is important for journalists to outweigh each and every possibility such as Marty Beneteau did. Before completing research on this case, I thought different about public privacy. This case taught me that it is flexible and each case is not the same. It is critical to make sure journalists are making the best decisions for the case they have at hand, not treating them all the same.
References
Beneteau, M., & Brennan, R. (1989, April). Kiss and Tell. Retrieved March 27, 2018, from http://mediaschool.indiana.edu/research-2/ethics-case-studies/kiss-and-tell/
Foreman, G. (2016). The ethical Journalist: Making responsible decisions in the digital age. Hoboken: Wiley.
Gaziano, C., & McGrath, K. (1986). Measuring the Concept of Credibility. Journalism Quarterly, 63(3), 451-462.
Petersen, D. L. (2013). Politicians’ Personal Lives and the Media. Journal Of Mass Media Ethics, 28(2), 152-153. doi:10.1080/08900523.2013.784674