Media

Media Different media are obsessed with scandals surrounding politicians. Most of these individuals are high-ranking individuals; some are very wealthy. Of course, one could say that the media are always fishing for any information that would get the public asking questions.
Whereas it is the duty of the media to report scandals, especially those concerning politicians, they should ensure that they respect the rights of the politician as an individual (Losco & Baker, 2013). Unfortunately, this has not been the case; the media seem to be obsessed with marketing and advertisement. Any story that sells means that the advertisers have a field day.
Prior to the 2008 US presidential elections, Mr. Obama’s religion was questioned. There were claims that the former senator was a Muslim (Smith et. al., 2009). The media made this such a debate, so much so, he had to lay the issue to rest. Pundits viewed the scandal as a propaganda meant to derail his presidential ambitions then. The media have always capitalized on such scandals to cash in money (Smith et. al., 2009).
Although the issue of religion is a “ public issue”, one wonders why it did not generate endless debates prior to the campaigns. For instance, does one have to account for their middle names? Such was the case with Obama’s “ Hussein” middle name. Politicians, like the rest of us, deserve to a fair treatment by the media (Marion, 2010). Some scandals were able to expose the mistakes and ‘ evil’ sides of the politicians; majority of them were ‘ created’ by different media houses so that they could make more money selling the stories to curious citizens (Marion, 2010).
The pubic have a right to know the integrity of their leaders or would-be leaders; however, the politicians are entitled to their privacy. The media must ensure they expose only the scandals that touch of the politician’s integrity and efficiency concerning their public administration.
References
http://abcnews. go. com/US/remembering-monica-lewinsky-scandal/story? id= 23611528
http://mediamatters. org/research/2006/05/26/media-matters-by-jamison-foser/135819
http://www. cbsnews. com/news/herman-cain-reassessing-candidacy-after-affair-claim/
Losco, J., & Baker, R. (2013). Am gov: 2013-2014. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Marion, N. E. (2010). The politics of disgrace: The role of political scandal in American politics. Durham, N. C: Carolina Academic Press.
Smith, S. S., Roberts, J. M., & Vander, W. R. J. (2009). The American Congress reader. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.