Media Reporting on Personal Lives (posted September 16, 1999)

Americans have well-defined views about what aspects of a candidate's personal life deserve coverage. In a recent national survey of 1,205 adults conducted September 1-12, 1999, the Pew Research Center asked voters about 13 different situations and whether the press should report on these things. As shown below, 71 percent believe the press should almost always report on spouse abuse, while only 17 percent think the press should report if a female candidate had an abortion. Only a third felt past cocaine use warranted coverage.