(cont.) During the administration of JFK, the media had a "hands off" policy regarding his "personal" life (including any extramarital sexual involvements); the "rules" of reporting protected him from such exposure.  That has changed....everyone and everything is "fair game." Many of us remember Gary Hart, Donna Rice and "Monkey Business."

We, the "media audience" are only too eager to read of anything resembling a scandal....bad news or, if one can be found, a really "juicy" scandal will sell papers or keep us watching a TV newscast far more effectively than some "lightweight" feel-good piece.  The impacts on the individuals featured in the story are, at best, of secondary importance.  

We don't want "too much" scandal, "hey, we're not National Enquirer subscribers", but, spice up our daily reading or viewing with some local "dirt."  Don't forget Don Henley's "Dirty Laundry."  It's OK to read and watch this stuff, but we should have to listen it it whle we do.