Wrestling with the idea of journalists reporting on the private lives of public figures

Sunday, March 2, 2008 | 2:01 a.m.

Twenty years ago I made the toughest call of my journalistic life.

A high-ranking, titled GOP operative had gone on a radio show and accused a prominent Democratic candidate of being unfaithful to his wife. Is that news? After much hand-wringing, I decided it was and wrote a story, making it obvious (or so I thought) that the Republican apparatchik had no evidence.

I am still not sure two decades later that I made the right call. Other journalists were not happy with me and didn’t want to do the story — but of course they did it.

The story quickly faded, but it was a searing moment. I recalled that incident after the Sturm und Drang last week over whether the media should have reported that Gov. Jim Gibbons and first lady Dawn Gibbons were considering a divorce.

It’s not an easy call. And it goes to the very heart of the public’s right to know everything and whether, as a very thoughtful, veteran journalist suggested to me, we should put out the information and let readers and viewers decide for themselves the value of said information.

It’s a compelling argument. And it may well hold sway if — if — the story can be confirmed and if it is well-sourced.

My problem is too many journalists believe elected officials, once they have the title, have no zone of privacy and everything is fair game, even if there is no clear nexus to public performance. And in the era of bloggers and 24-hour cable stations, the imperative to be first often supersedes the necessity of being right.

I am amused — yes, in a very patronizing, mainstream media way — about the bloggers out there doing their vehement “in defense of reporting damaging rumors about people we don’t like,” accompanied by their bemusement at the MSM’s sanctimonious self-congratulation at showing restraint. I wonder, if the governor were a progressive Democrat who had raised taxes, proposed scotching the coal plants and crafted universal health care, would they be so nastily gleeful now and have so readily reported rumors about his marriage’s potential(!) dissolution.

I am as competitive as any journalist alive, and no one in the MSM has been more critical of Jim Gibbons’ gubernatorial performance. But I’m not unhappy to have been one of the last into print on this one.

To some extent, the governor — and the first lady — brought this on themselves.

Jim Gibbons hired Dianne Cornwall, a close friend of his wife’s, as his deputy chief of staff (later chief operating officer) and she is the one who, without his sanction, disclosed the marital problems. That caused the media dominoes to fall.

The governor’s recklessness on the night of Oct. 13, 2006, also affected the story. Even if what is occurring now has nothing to do with that infamous evening at McCormick & Schmick’s, countless people will draw a direct line between that night and today. I don’t think you will find too many people who completely believe either Jim Gibbons or Chrissy Mazzeo about whatever happened that rainy evening — but most people believe something happened. And now, because Gibbons, a married Mormon, thought it would be a good idea to go carousing right before an election for the state’s highest office, the context for the marital troubles will be irresistible for many.

The first lady also has been no ordinary gubernatorial spouse. She essentially acted as the Lack of Administration’s personnel director early on, handpicking a man she calls her “son,” Mike Dayton, as chief of staff, and at one time proposing that her friend Cornwall be co-chief. Her influence, for whatever reason, has been felt. And she has been a fervent and visible activist on several issues, including methamphetamine abuse and autism.

What we now know, knowledgeable sources confirm, is that both of them have lawyers and that the governor planned to file for divorce next week, after talking to the couple’s son, who is returning home this weekend. But this is one of those cases in which breaking the story may change the story — that is, perhaps this will not happen now that this is in the public domain. Maybe they will reconcile.

The easy part for the media is over. We decided it was a story that Cornwall says the couple is having marital strife. So no matter what happens — divorce, separation, reconciliation — do we now try to delve into why there is marital discord, who caused it, and determine, somehow, whether this is affecting Gibbons’ performance?

Anyone have an easy answer for that one?

Jon Ralston hosts the news discussion program “Face to Face With Jon Ralston” on Las Vegas ONE and publishes the daily e-mail newsletter “RalstonFlash.com.” His column for the Las Vegas Sun appears Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Ralston can be reached at 870-7997 or at ralston@vegas.com.

Discussion: 7 comments so far…

By darkhorse

3/2/08 at 7:06 a.m.

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Mr. Ralston
The reason why this is news, is because Gov. Gibbons ran on the idea he was a good Mormon and family man.
During Gibbons 14 months in office he, has shown there are numerous things he claimed to be but is not. I have lived in Nv. for 20 years and never once heard of Gibbons being a Mormon while in the Legislature or Congress, until his run for Governor.
Governor Gibbons is a lawyer, pilot, geologist, liar and opportunist.(The Emperors New Clothes) Just because you do something for a brief period of time does not make you an expert.
Reporters in Nevada should not become tabloid reporters, however, they should ask follow up questions and do some research occasionally.
Stop allowing the Sigs, R&Rs, Ernauts, and Ferraros of this State, to continue running this State with their agendas.
Follow the money and make the connections!
Also why is it that the public is not outraged that people can buy the Governors ear, for a small contribution to his legal defense fund for issues that were created while filling another political position? I'm guessing Gibbons will be wearing an XL orange coverall in the near future.
Dario, Lance, and Jimmy?
By kurt

3/2/08 at 7:37 a.m.

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This was a very big story. How about the Nevada media covering it with even 10% of the zeal that you covered Bill Clintons indiscretions? Gibbons claimed to be a family values right wing Mormon. Now, if adultery can be proved, he will be excommunicated from his church. That is big news. Also the fact that Gibbons seems to oppose his churchs stand on alcohol should raise serious questions about his judgement. Remember Larry Craig never campaigned as a dogmatic letter of the law Methodist. Gibbons did claim to be a holier than thou Mormon that would never let the state down. Also the Nevada media needs to ask Mitt Romney why he is standing by Gibbons, while he threw Larry Craig under the bus.
By NVMojo

3/2/08 at 11:06 a.m.

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Well, it is probably news worthy in the sense that most of us living around their stomping grounds already know certain things that were bound to leak out into the media or into their "public" lives anyways.

Both of them should have been more discreet if they didn't want their personal lives leaking out.

I also have to wonder if Cornwall was directed to tell the media what was up as a chess move on the part of Mrs. Gibbons.
By JohnF

3/2/08 at 4:26 p.m.

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Jon,

To mix the themes of your last two columns....

What are the odds of getting our Governor to do the honorable thing?
By sweeper

3/2/08 at 9:01 p.m.

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Nice message. Wrong messenger. Resolve your own ethical issues before you appoint yourself chief of the ethics police.
By Beezie

3/3/08 at 8:54 p.m.

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In my humble opinion,Gibbons reputation has been suspect since before the incident with Mazzeo. News of his marriage in crisis is no news. Just like Dubbya and his impending exodus,I can't wait until the next gubernatorial election. People....please stop voting for the "family values" politician.....it's an oxymoron. Emphasis on moron... or is that Moroni?
By AngryPostman

3/4/08 at 11:06 p.m.

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Hmmmmm.....

I hope you didn't lose too much sleep living up to your journalistic obligations Jon.

Less QQ and more PEW PEW!