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Debating the Ethics of 'Outing'

Media

Debating the Ethics of 'Outing'

Listen to this 'Talk of the Nation' topic

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Is it appropriate for the media to divulge the sexual orientation of a public figure?

When — if ever — is it appropriate to publicize a public figure's sexual orientation? Blogger Mike Rogers argues that outing a celebrity or politician is acceptable if the person is against gay rights in public. Guests and callers weigh in on the ethics of outing.

Mike Rogers, blogger at blogActive.com, which outs public figures; publisher and editor of PageOneQ.com

Eric Dezenhall, CEO of Dezenhall Resources, a crisis management firm in Washington, DC; author of Damage Control: Why Everything You Know About Crisis Management Is Wrong

Kelly McBride, ethics group leader at the Poynter Institute