Question

Most people would agree that citizens have a right to privacy and that what goes on in their homes is nobody’s business as long as it is not against the law or detrimental to public welfare. So, why is it that people want to know the intimate details of public figures’ lives? Does the private life and morality, or lack thereof, of a public figure impact his or her ability to serve?
I would say there is some information I would rather not know about the local news person. However, a wise person once said, “Character is what you do when no one else is looking.” When someone is in a

Answer 1

what you do when no one else is looking.” When someone is in a position to make decisions that affect my everyday life, I want to know who this person is when the cameras aren’t on.
As the adage says, “Actions speak louder than words.” A person who has proven to be untrustworthy in a smaller arena should not be trusted with taxpayer money, regardless of his or her ability to say all the right things.
We must also consider the amount of income these public figures generate from the public. (This includes politicians’ salaries as well as money spent on movies and CDs that celebrities pocket.) To a certain extent, all elections are based on character. Many politicians and other people in the public eye rise to notoriety on the basis of their self-proclaimed stances on family values and moral issues. In the same vein, many entertainers often gain support for their music and movies based on their positive images. These people are the ones putting their own character on display. So why shouldn’t we examine it?
The best leaders have great character. These are the people who have the courage to stand up for what they believe in, even when it gets tough. They are also the ones who tell the truth and keep their promises. The public should be allowed to decide whether or not to support someone based on the individual’s character. This is why I support the media’s right to investigate and publish details of public figures' lives.
Politicians who have a record of accepting favors and gifts from the wealthy will more than likely look out for their wealthy friends’ interests. Voters should be privy to this information. Likewise, if someone in a leadership position personally espouses views that are discriminatory, then this information should also be made public.
But make no mistake. I don’t support prying into every detail of a public figure’s life. I don’t need to know what kind of toothpaste someone uses or all the gory details of private indiscretions. Wisdom and decency should be considered when deciding what to publish and what to keep private.

Answer 2

is this an actual question?

Answer 3

Which of these sentences from the passage best supports the author's viewpoint?
A The public should be allowed to decide whether or not to support someone based on the individual's character.
B I would say there is some information I would rather not know about the local news person
C



Most people would agree that citizens have a right to privacy and that what goes on in their homes is nobody's business as long as it is not against the law or detrimental to public welfare.

Answer 4

I would go with B, although it directly states C in the beginning.