In defence of the media frenzy

It's been a few days since Toronto mayor Rob Ford was photographed, apparently reading whilst driving on the Gardiner Expressway. This entry is in response to those who argue that this photograph is not worthy of the media attention it received.

I am generally of the opinion that an elected official's private life should remain so. I do not need to know if one is having an affair or where they buy their clothes. In the big picture, these actions have little effect on anything. What Mayor Ford allegedly did, however, crossed a line. It has the potential to affect us directly. Distracted driving can lead to an accident. It can hurt, even kill, someone.

When the leader of a city does not deny an act that puts his/her citizens in danger, weakly defends their actions by claiming they are very busy (who isn't?), and cannot understand the spectacle being made of it, it would be a crime to not report on it. Rob Ford is an elected leader. Like it or not, all leaders lead by example. The example Mayor Ford is setting is not a good one.



Would I expect the same attention if the photograph was of an ordinary citizen? In an ideal world, yes - public scrutiny can be an effective deterrent - but realistically, no.