The Editor's Blog : The 'pregnancy' front page

The Editor's Blog

Do you wonder why the newspaper did what it did, or didn't do what it didn't do? This is the spot where I or one of our other editors will try to answer your questions, respond to your complaints and generally explain the behavior of the newspaper as best as we can. Do you think we misplayed a photo, put the wrong headline on a story or missed important news? Did you like something you found in the paper? Post your questions, or share your thoughts about the paper. I only ask that you be clear, concise and civil.

Contact: editorsblog@adn.com

The 'pregnancy' front page

Posted by editorsblog

Posted: September 2, 2008 - 6:10 pm

We've heard from an unusually large number of angry readers over this morning's front page. Specifically the lead story under the headline: "Pregnancy steals spotlight."

The following was typical, though perhaps a little more calmly stated, of the letters that came in:

I was astonished to see Tuesday's headline (1" tall, bold-faced typed and with a picture) regarding a 17 year old pregnant, unwed teenager, who happens to be the daughter of our governor and maybe our next vice president.

Is it not enough that every newscast is talking about this? Did one of our governor's home state newspapers, have to use this for the headline? This is hard enough on Bristol and the Palin family, why couldn't you have tucked the article inside the paper?

Both Senator Obama and Senator McClain have said that this is private, and the news media should leave the private lives of the canidates alone (especially the children). I know journalism should have the 5 w's (who, what, where, when and why), but someimes it's better to just let things go. We Alaskans are well aware of what goes on in the world.

I wish you had used some discretion regarding this matter. I'm very disappointed in my hometown newspaper, as I think others are too. Stay away from their private lives and concentrate on the governor's issues with the state and world - that's what really counts.

Here at the Daily News, we have been hearing rumors of Bristol's pregnancy for months. During much of that time, some readers have been posting references to the rumors on adn.com and demanding to know why the newspaper was covering it up. We did not know whether the rumors were true and we made a conscious decision not to pursue them because, in our judgment, it was not news. We routinely deleted the rumor posts.

That decision was situational, not absolute. If the governor had proposed a public policy that would affect pregnant teenagers, we might well have decided, at that point, that Bristol's situation was news. But that didn't happen, and we focused our attention elsewhere.

On Monday, the Republican candidate for vice president and the governor of Alaska, announced to the world that her unmarried, teenage daughter was pregnant. That is news and it belongs in the newspaper and on the website.

It was a private matter, in my judgment, and treated that way by the Daily News, until Monday, when the most prominent person in Alaska announced it publicly on the biggest stage in the world. Not only is that news, it's bigger news here than any other place in the country.

Pat Dougherty

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16 January 4, 2009 - 11:11am | alwazer

alwazer

15 December 31, 2008 - 6:22pm | htof

14 December 20, 2008 - 4:03pm | quackquack76

Embarrasing political situations...

Ever long for the old days of political embarrassment where the only problem was the crooked long time senator who was old news? And yet the same old was something folks were used to. As much as we don't want to accept it teenage moms and fathers who don't even bother to marry the mother of their children seem to becoming old news to perhaps too many in this country. I hope these young mothers can find a good family life including the marriage to a father who will stand up for their family.

13 December 12, 2008 - 11:46pm | John70

PREGNANCY................

Where do all these knuckle dragging neanderthals come from? I never realized that the loony lefties were so moral that they feel comfortable judging other people! We all know that if there was an ABORTION involved here,
they would be singing praises to Sarah and her daughter,they like nothing more than killing babies.They really should be satisfied,they have half a million dead infants to their credit now.Just how many do they want?

12 December 9, 2008 - 2:17pm | monilsoccer

Why does Bristol's pregnancy have to be news?

Just because of who her mother is? And why do we all care so much? It seems sad to me that we live in a world where people are so concerned with the gossip and less with the real issues at hand. So Bristol ended up pregnant, so she's young and unwed, so her mother is Sarah palin...SO WHAT?! Quite frankly i'm more interested in the war in Iraq, the recession, the housing crisis and the rising cost of gasoline. Save it for the covers of "Star" magazine and try reporting on the REAL issues.

10 November 27, 2008 - 4:30pm | justmyopinion2755

Palin's Spotlight

Gov You Betcha is at fault in this case. Don't drag your daughter out in front to the nation and don't expect there not to be questions and comments. The newspapers have a responsibility to inform the public of facts when they find them or when they feel comfortable that they have given the other side an opportunity to give their say.

Palin is an inept political joke who was thrushed upon us by McCain who thought he was about to gain the White House with the so called "maverick" from Alaska.

Great for us McCain & company suck at vetting.

7 October 2, 2008 - 8:19pm | howieak

secrets come out at election time

Her MOTHER put her in the spotlight and they need to deal with it!! Did her mother really think that no one would find out???? Her mother should have thought about that before she accepted the VP offer! Her MOTHER's career obviously comes first and being a protective parent comes second. Her MOTHER should have known that her entire family would be under the microscope and picked apart; if she did not know shame on her. She has made her entire family open for negative comments, statements, and hurtful events. Her mother is the one to blame not the news media reporting it..... if you don't want people to know or talk about something don't take the stage!!! But her mother could not stop her power hunger... SHAME ON HER MOTHER!!!!!!

October 16, 2008 - 8:38pm | dollarstolend51

Ego

Couldn't agree more completely. People in the other states are shocked that a mother is so ego driven that she would rather let the needs of her five, count 'em...five, children for nurturing and guidance be less important than her ego. What kind of mother, or parent of any gender, drags her children out on stages to create sympathy for herself?

Franklin, folks, let's get serious. Everyone, including those commentators from Europe and Asia, knows it is abundantly clear Palin is woefully inadequate to the task. That aw shucks folks routine may work at the local level, but is an embarrassment. We shudder to think of her representing this nation with the head of another country.

Additionally, she has shown an uncommon visciousness and wreckless disregard for the future safety of the probably next United States President in her racist encitements of other low intelligence individuals who have attended her rallies.

She has brought shame upon the great state of
Alaska and made a laughing stock of herself before the people of the world. When we pick world leaders we are looking for a certain amount of dignity and pride, Palin has fallen quite short of that ideal.

Finally, in other states we have assumed her silliness would end her career in politics. Now that you have had an unshielded view of Palin, Alaska, please restore our confidence in each of you.

6 September 4, 2008 - 6:43pm | toklat2

a top chief editor

The people in Alaska should be thankful to have
a top chief editor as Pat Daughtery is. Read his
editor blogs and you should know. The ADN is
doing excellent journalism on the poltical and ballot
issues. They are given their readers simple true facts
and is not what journalism should be?
a side note..to other comment people I do not know
Mr. Daughtery personally I do know people that have
worked for him and have high regard for his journalist
ability ..which is evident.

4 September 4, 2008 - 2:27pm | azbirds

Ted Stevens//Palin

Somebody please tell my why, that Gov. Palin did not "call" Sen. Ted Stevens on some the things he was doing before he was formally indicted? Was it because the Senator is too popular there?
Do you think Sen. Stevens will be found guilty?

3 September 4, 2008 - 9:43am | garynt0124

Sex with a minor

So far I have seen only those for and those against the politicizing of the pregnancy of Sarah Palin’s daughter. Putting aside politics, I thought that the age for consensual sex in this country was 18. How is it that no one (especially those religious right wingers) seems to care that a person of majority age has sex with a minor and that the minor subsequently becomes pregnant? This certainly sets up a great defense for those charged with sex with a minor. When those related to those at the top of our leadership of the entire country can get away with it, why not every else? I suggest the hypocritical Republican conservative base cease their rhetoric that they have cornered the market on morality.

September 6, 2008 - 2:40pm | counterpoint

The age of consent in Alaska

The age of consent in Alaska is 16 unless one is in a position of authority over the other such as a teacher, then the age of consent is 18.

November 27, 2008 - 10:46pm | megal_2

This is a great tutorial,

Thank You very nice topic!

2 September 3, 2008 - 7:29pm | azbirds

Sarah Palin

The newspaper has done an excellent job of reporting all about Sarah Palin and Sen. Ted Stevens. I have reading you online for the past 2 years and look forward to all your coverage.
Sarah Palin put herself in the media and she has to deal with all the coverage.

Thank you

1 September 3, 2008 - 1:28pm | nogodbutyou

Where did Palin Deliver her 5th Child?

In her home or in a hospital?.
More details of Palin's pre&post natal details ,can clear rumour mills .
Unless TRUTH is Bristol's 1st son is "Both grandson and 5th child of Palin".
Which might be Palin's LIE.

September 14, 2008 - 5:33am | Backgammon

You can't believe

The horrible things that the left wing Daily Kos put on their website are discraseful. They start vicious stories about any one who is not Obama. They are so scared of Governor Palin they said Trig was Bristol's baby, that maybe it was incest. These have now been proven not true. Please remember these evil people in future post

September 4, 2008 - 2:12pm | azbirds

Gov. Palin

Right, where did she deliver the baby, does anyone know.?

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