Pros and Cons

There are two sides of the argument about privacy rights of public officials, those who believe that public officials should have more privacy, and those who believe that they should not.

The pro privacy side argues that public officials are American citizens who should have just as much of a right to privacy as other Americans. The side argues that the public interest is not what is represented in most media, and instead that public officials privacy is invaded with intimate details about their lives. The press sensationalizes information about public officials to sell newspapers. This can unfairly ruin the reputations of public officials, causing unneeded conflict in their lives. The public does not need to know about public officials private lives, because great leaders can have messy personal lives and still be brilliant at their jobs, and vice versa. Public officials should not always be held to a higher standard than the public, as all people make mistakes. Public officials also become more and more concerned with image as their lives are greatly invaded.  

The con argument, states that public officials do not deserve more privacy. Public officials run for office with full knowledge that they will receive large amounts of attention, criticism, and possibly attacks from the other side of their race. The people have a right to know who they are voting for, who they put in power, and who represents them. The public needs to be able to trust they representatives to adequately represent them and stand up for their needs. To do this, the public needs to be able to see into the lives and character of their representatives. The public also pays for public officials salaries, and deserve to know where their money is going. The line between a public and private matter is also unclear. There is no law that specifically state what privacy public officials have a right to, so reporting a public officials illness, illegitimate child, or affair is not off limits to the media. The press is the watchdog of the government and has the specific job to keep politicians and public officials in line. This means reporting on the lives of public officials.  Freedom of the press is necessary for democracy, and is protected in the constitution. It cannot be limited to ensure the privacy of public officials.