WBIR and other outlets have run with the story that Claudia Ragsdale, County Mayor Mike Ragsdale's wife, has filed for divorce, prompting a conversation at yesterday's BlogFest on where the line should be drawn in reporting on public persons' private lives.
It seems pretty clear to me. If the story affects public policy or expenditures then it is news and should be reported. Otherwise, it's just gossip.
It doesn't matter whether other outlets report it.
It doesn't matter whether the "people" want to know.
It doesn't matter if it boosts ratings.
If it's not in the public interest, then reporting it is just repeating gossip.
Posted by Rich at April 13, 2008 12:12 AM | TrackBack