From Thomas Jefferson to Tiger Woods, sex scandals have been a recurring feature of American life. Today, text messages and surveillance cameras have made it harder to keep affairs secret, and the proliferation of Web sites and cable TV shows means that a politician or celebrity who cheats is more likely than ever to be exposed. Politicians and clergy who preach "family values" have had their personal hypocrisy revealed. In the wake of scandal in recent years, governors have resigned, a president has been impeached and senators have been caught using prostitutes and soliciting in an airport men's room. Nevertheless, questions remain about the ethical and journalistic propriety of publicizing private acts. Does the public have a right to know about private affairs -- especially when they are not related to official duties? Should the news media focus on more "serious" issues?

Alan Greenblatt has been writing about politics and government in Washington and the states for nearly two decades. As a reporter for Congressional Quarterly, he won the National Press Club’s Sandy Hume award for political journalism. While on staff at Governing magazine, he covered many issues of concern to state and local governments, such as budgets,taxes, and higher education. Along the way, he has written about politics and culture for numerous other outlets, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, and NPR.org.