Our Constitution supposedly guarantees every American due process, a presumption of innocence and the right to a speedy trial. But apparently this may be the case in the courtroom, but not necessarily in the news room.

Regardless of how one feels, as to the reported actions of our governor, Governor Spitzer was accused, tried, and swiftly sentenced by the court of public opinion in less then 48 hours (less time then it takes most Americans to find a lawyer).

My company once ran an ad saying, "It's the media's right to print whatever they see fit. . . it's our right not to buy it." That said, it's just not that easy anymore.

It doesn't matter how one responds personally when the often unverified stories become universally accepted as fact by the community, because "it was in the paper" or "on the news".

I think what the New York Times did to Republican Presidential candidate, John McCain in trying to expose an unconfirmed romantic relationship with a female lobbyist was inexcusable, and proved that the pull of the pervasive tabloid culture is apparently too much for most in the news business to resist. The world of journalism has adopted a "leap before you look" culture.

Last August, there was a savage triple murder in the quiet town of Cheshire, Connecticut. The murderers were deviant drug addicts, and the entire town was shocked, and in fear. When the TV crews showed up in the quiet town the next day, neither the police or the surviving husband were giving interviews, so in an effort to find a story, they spoke to a local gun dealer who was anxious to advise whoever would listen that: business was booming. The media wasn't analyzing or informing, they were fueling the paranoia.

Or consider our economy today - from a bear market to Bear Stearns -- and consider how the press can intensify a panic. When I was in London a few months ago, there was a run on a local bank. The electronic media only interviewed the people waiting on line to withdraw their life savings. The individuals that weren't worried were home and less available and harder to access, so only one side of the story was told, and again paranoia was fueled and prevailed.

What compounds this circumstance, as we all know, is that perception usually precedes and/or becomes reality.

So if one looks closely at what happened to Governor Spitzer and ask:

Was the victim/adversary worthy? Most feel yes.

Deserving? Probably

But is either questionably really relevant . . . you tell me.

It is certainly interesting to note that; due process, presumption of innocence and the constitution lost another one, and we can chalk one more up for commercialized tabloid journalism.

But the real question now is; who will be their next target, and will the press next time be able to render as extraordinary and effective a blow in as short a period of time as their last one?

(Will it sell as many papers and do as much for ratings as the last? Stay tuned. Or, better yet, don't.)

That's my story and I'm sticking to it (for now).

[Image: NY Post]