Investigative Reporting at its Finest

There was a story about Jon and Kate Gosselin in which the headline reads, “Is Kate Gosselin Spanking Her Kids, Losing Control?” The article touches on just about every problem the couple has had in recent weeks.

Abcnews.com spoke with the executive director of the Humane Society of Berks County, PA, about the allegations of animal abuse in the Gosselin home. The Web site reporters had Jon’s view on it to “set the record straight.” Also, the reporters spoke with Pennsylvania’s Labor Department about accusations of violating child labor laws.

Abcnews.com spoke with Jon Gosselin on the subject matter and had quotes from him given to other news media. The Web site also used quotes from Kate Gosselin to People Magazine.

In Touch Weekly posted a picture of Kate Gosselin spanking one of her female children outside their home. The magazine quoted an eye witness who said the child was “screaming and crying” and when Kate stopped spanking her, “pushed (the child) away and walked off with her coffee.”

The picture does aid the reader by showing Kate spanking her child, but it doesn’t look as if she is being overly harsh or the child is in extreme pain.

I think this story affects parents nationwide and alerts Child Protective Services workers to what can be classified as “beating.” Also, “Jon and Kate Plus Eight” is a widely viewed reality series on TLC. Many people watch the show and have followed the recent events involving the Gosselins.

There is definitely a follow-up to this story. Karel Minor, executive director of the Human Society of Berks County, PA, has already said there is no reason to suspect animal cruelty in the Gosselin home. But the question of child labor laws being violated has not yet been determined by the Pennsylvania Labor Department.

I think the headlines for the stories about the Gosselins’ can be misinterpreted to favor the parents or children. “Is Kate Gosselin Spanking Her Kids, Losing Control?” seems a bit dramatic. Parents discipline their children all the time, but it is not considered losing control.

Abcnews.com did get some of their own information, but the reporters used other information from different magazines to follow-up with professionals, such as the TLC spokeswoman and the executive director for the Human Society of Berks County, PA.

Another example is a story about Britain’s interior minister, Jacqui Smith resigning her post. A copy of her parliamentary expenses shows she claimed two pornographic movies her husband reportedly ordered. In March, she said she mistakenly claimed the pay-per-view movies to an Internet connection bill she had submitted.

This story involves a public figure with something that should have been left private. There were also questionable expense sheets from other members of parliament being looked in to.

The article doesn’t include a quote from Smith, but it said a source close to her said she told the prime minister it was “time to go at the next reshuffle.”

The article includes a picture of Smith, but it does nothing to further the story.

Almost every citizen of Britain was very concerned after reading this story. The taxpayers are essentially paying for these expenses and are outraged to know it was for something as disgusting as pornographic movies.

Smith has already resigned, but other members are under investitgation. It is uncertain whether or not other parliament members will resign.

The copy of Smith’s parliamentary expense sheet was crucial in determining whether or not the allegations of pornographic movies being claimed, were true.