Why would anyone want to be in the public eye?

[beardoc]

In the last 24 hours, the New South Wales Minister for Roads, David Campbell, resigned ahead of footage which showed him exiting a well known gay sauna. Apparently the Seven Television network was able to film him exiting KKK aka "Ken's Karate Klub" on Anzac Parade, Kensington.

The Sydney Morning Herald has the story. Essentially David Campbell

Comments

[simbobloke]

The one thing I don't know, and that would be because, mysteriously, I don't watch Today Tonight - why were they filming? Were they filming becuase they were tracking David Campbell's movements, or were they filming the entrance at Kens? Because ... the first is minorly understandable as he's a public figure. Minorly. Still not really forgivable.

The second is an apalling thought. Was Channel 7 just randomly filming men entering into a sex on premises venue and got lucky by getting a politician?

You're often more plugged in on this sorta stuff than I am, Seamus - any knowledge?

[beardoc]

No, this was a hatchet job - there's a lot more to this story:

http://www.crikey.com.au/2010/05/21/the-minister-the-gay-sauna-and-a-reporter-with-scores-to-settle/

[beardoc]

Today Tonight is a tabloid current affairs show that is up against the Australian version of A Current Affair. It's known for its grotty journalism.

David Marr says this perfectly:

"Is his visit of any public interest? Yes, if Seven can prove his sad, hidden sex life interfered with the exercise of his public life. No proof has so far been provided.

No doubt Seven is scrambling to find any dirt it can on the former minister for transport. Usually you'd wait until you had your evidence before attacking your target. Not this time. As of now, Campbell has been destroyed for one reason alone: being gay."

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/outdated-seven-fails-on-public-interest-20100521-w1uf.html

[dcmisner]

I'm willing to lay the blame squarely at the feet of Rupert Murdoch. It's either that or blame all of humanity for being fascinated by this tripe.

And the car? Get over it. It's part of his compensation- unless someone feels it's a legitimate complaint for him to also use his "government provided salary" for whatever he chooses. The article said he didn't appear to violate any rules for use of the car.

I took the poll at the end of the article. After voting "no" myself, it was revealed "no" votes were leading by a landslide, 3 to 1. (a no vote indicating channel 7 should not have aired the story and footage)

[beardoc]

I get the feeling that this slide in journalism began with Hard Copy - the MTVisation of news content was the real slide.

There's been much discussion in the media about the use of the car, and that parliamentarians are allowed a reasonable private use of cars including the Premier to pick up her kids from school. Even Seven had dropped the claim about misuse of a car - they just wanted to get the story out there:

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/seven-defends-outing-despite-false-claim-20100521-w1r6.html

[nzbear5]

It is just disgusting. Unless he was being homophobic in his public life, who cares what he does in his private life! His private life should be just that. The focus on public peoples private lives goes with the elevation to "star" status for those that front TV shows and read the news. Flash your face on TV for five seconds and your a celebrity, yeah right!

[beardoc]

David Marr says this perfectly: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/outdated-seven-fails-on-public-interest-20100521-w1uf.html

Re: On the flip side...

[beardoc]

Oh, I know - but Reker made a career out of attempting to destroy gay men's life, whereas Campbell hasn't been anything but supportive.

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/a-family-man-beyond-our-ken-20100521-w1p7.html