One of the most common criticisms of journalists is that they focus too much on the private lives of celebrities, politicians, and public figures.
This criticism may be unfair because there are several reasons why people find it interesting to know about the personal lives of these individuals. One reason is that it allows them to relate to their leaders on a more human level and helps them feel like they can understand who they are outside of their professional roles. Another reason is that it provides insight into what makes those individuals tick, which can help predict how they will behave in certain situations.
Voyeuristic fascination with leaders' sexual lives reveals collective moral anxieties about sex and power dynamics.
There have been many high-profile cases where journalists have published stories about powerful men who abuse their positions for sexual favors from subordinates. These cases often result in resignations, firings, and legal action against the perpetrators.
Some argue that this kind of behavior should be expected in a culture that objectifies women and treats them as sexual objects. In addition, when powerful men exploit their position to get sexual gratification from vulnerable women, it raises questions about whether society condones this type of behavior.
There are also examples of powerful women using their sexuality to gain an advantage in business or politics.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was accused of having affairs with her husband while he served in office, but she denied these claims. Her opponents argued that this made her unfit for public office because she couldn't be trusted not to use her position for personal gain.
Journalism has an important role to play in exposing wrongdoing by powerful people.
There may be times when reporting on private matters goes too far and invades privacy unnecessarily.
The decision about what information to publish lies with editors and reporters, who must balance competing interests like public interest versus invasion of privacy.
In what ways does voyeuristic fascination with leaders' sexual lives reveal collective moral anxieties?
Researchers have noted that the public's interest in leaders' private affairs is often fueled by a desire for more openness from politicians about their personal lives (Jaffe 2017). It also reflects an underlying fear of hypocrisy among those who expect high standards of behavior from political figures while condoning similar behaviors in themselves or others (Walters et al. 2018).