The Enterprise Press: Front Page Politics

Given the circumstances surrounding the issue at hand, I would not hesitate to publish the story. The relevance of the candidate's abortion cannot be ignored, as it reveals a major contradiction in her politics that readers deserve to know about. Politicians must be prepared to face the fact that their pasts will be heavily researched by opponents and journalists alike, and that it is a common occurrence for controversial issues to surface during heated campaigns.

The ethical dilemma lies not in whether the information is reported, but how it was obtained. According to the excerpt, the evidence confirming the abortion was provided by the candidate's ex-husband via private medical documentation. However, it is my understanding that journalists have the right to report such information, as long as it is obtained independently from a private agent; a process not governed by health privacy laws such as HIPAA. Although the medical records were offered without the candidate's consent, that is a separate matter between private parties and should not be viewed as any sort of intrusion on the journalist's part.

I would therefore publish the story and anticipate a statement by the candidate either denying the allegations or defending her choice. She simply can't ignore the possibility that this significant event in her past will resurface in relation to her politics.