Alright Already! Leave David and Sarah Alone!
Submitted by Allen Gwinn on Sun, 09/24/2006 - 21:07.
Okay, I can't keep my mouth shut on this anymore.
The latest media gossip/soap opera seems to have Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle and CBS 11 Reporter Sarah Dodd square in the gun sights of several local blogs. Innuendo calls into question Sarah's ability to now remain impartial covering Dallas events, and questions David's judgment in dating her.
Let's make this simple: Sarah's ethics as a journalist are above reproach. In the years I've known her, I have seen her recuse herself from stories that I wouldn't have recused myself from. Her approach, dedication and professionalism to the news industry are stellar. Dallas should be proud we've managed to retain Sarah as a source so worthy of trust.
David is the first chief we've had in a long time who does what he believes is right, not because he's looking for something popular or newsworthy, but because he really believes he's doing the right thing. He's the first "real chief" Dallas has seen in a long time, and Dallas will be better because of Chief Kunkle.
The fact that two very stellar and driven people have found common ground as friends is not a bad thing. What's bad is we can't stay out of their personal lives.
So knock it off.
When they've figured this thing out, they'll deal with it. Because it's their business and not ours.
In The Spotlight
When you decide to go into TV, you make a decision to make your life public. At that point, you are an entertainment personality. At that point, you have given permission for it to be other people's business.
It is sad that our society has come to this. People live vouyeristic lives chasing down every detail of entertainment and sports professionals.
Ms. Dodd had to know this would draw attention, and she was interested enough in the chief to get involved anyway. More power to her, but there is little doubt she knew it would draw attention. Such is the price of fame...
DPG
David & Sarah
Whether or not they are "good" people, the truth is that Kunkle is still married. So, friends or otherwise, he probably shouldn't be flaunting their relationship around town. I'd hate to be his wife and have to read all of these articles and blogs about them. Divorce is hard enough.
I happen to know his wife and know that David's actions are hurting her severely.
[Ed Note: That may well be the case. But there are 3 people whose business it is--and neither you nor I are one of them! People's personal business is their personal business. So I guess that: "I'd hate to be his wife and have to read all of these articles and blogs about them" perhaps refers to all the blogging except yours?]
No One's Business?
If it's "no one's business but three people", how exactly did it become a story?
If you're a reporter then you know you and your fellow colleagues make the private lives of public figures your business.
If she's a big enough girl to make her living delving into other people's lives and she's a smart reporter like you say, then she should be able to handle the consequences of starting an illicit affair with a married man who happens to be the police chief of one of the biggest cities in the southwest.
You "objective" reporters want to always have it both ways.
It's "objective" when you pry into the lives of a public figure and claim that it's BECAUSE they are public figures you get to say whatever you want about them, expose every detail of their lives, stick a microscope up their []--unless, of course, you just happen to *know* the figure as a friend, or you're on the other side of the mic.
Perhaps this will give you some sense of empathy for how you treat the people you interview and write stories about.
[Ed Note: I tend to ignore "juicy gossip." I further tend to investigate my stories before I put them online. If you've found something newsworthy in this, then I'd like to know what it is. I've found it to be a personal issue involving two very good people. I've found no official misconduct, violation of the law, misappropriation of funds, or anything else that I routinely deal with. Sorry you disagree.]
What Is Their Motivation?
I think people are dirt-digging and running with this story about Sarah and the Chief because they are ruffling feathers and getting to the bottom of real issues.
[Ed Note: I think people are just gossiping. That's all the motivation that exists behind it. I've heard many "guess who sleeps with stories" in my career publishing Dallas.Org. These things aren't newsworthy, they're just lip smack. There's plenty of dirt to be dug without having to try and turn people's personal lives into the news-of-the-day.]