When discussing who should be allowed into "closed press" rooms and whether cell phones or video recording should be allowed I immediately thought of a recent Gossip Girl episode. It may just be that I have watched the show religiously since 2007 and want to find a connection to my own life.
Anyways, as a brief synopsis:
There was cause for worry that clothes debuted at an upcoming fashion show would be leaked via cell phone photos or videos to the masses before they could be released by the designer. The editor and chief of a new independent media tabloid suggested that all cellphones be relinquished at the door to avoid the problem all together. The phones were tagged and kept for safekeeping, but the editor decided to use this is a way to uncover secrets of the party attendees.
It is obvious that the snooping is unethical, but is it ethical to force people to give up their phones before entering? Would that fly in a press conference or "closed press" meeting? Cell phones have become a huge part of media, they allow us to always be in contact with our editors or sources and to photograph and record happenings with major equipment.
I understand that public figures want some things to be kept private, and everyone is entitled to their personal life. But don't public figures relinquish some of their privacy when they decide to step into the spotlight? It is a journalists duty to report to the public what everyone else isn't telling them. Journalists are supposed to ask the in depth question and uncover the truth.
While the Gossip Girl reference is purely fictional, it makes me think what would happen if that was really the norm, both personally and journalistically.
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