Should the media exploit elderly with possibly failing mental abilities?

It is sad how the "media" is responsible for so much misinformation, manipulation of facts and disregard for peoples privacy and or rights! Media sensationalism has long been a bug bare of mine, as even though they may achieve some great outcomes at times with publicising issues which need to be "aired", generally their moral obligations take a poor second place! Keep well red!

Of course all countries should disclose and use secret alien technologies that our govenments are hiding from us! The world would vastly improve if this technology could finally be used for the benefit of Mankind, and... ahem... well... OK, let's be serious now. ;) If there wasn't a demand for such stories, the 'sensationalist' press would soon give up publishing such inane articles. People love gossips and they also love when someone who was once great shows signs of senility. It reassures them and they feel that they'd rather live their petty, pointless lives than be bright and highly thought of, only to be trod upon at the first opportunity. Sad, really...

Dear threecolordog, We know the answer. Whatever can be turned into money, people will do it. It is unquestionable. It's like these news on celebrities that people craves so much that all TV stations in my countries will have this segment broadcasted every time. People crave for sensations, although the negative ones. Or rather maybe the negatives ones. But, I think there is a cause and reason reaction. Because many people crave for it, it is then provided. Like supply and demand chain. So, I figure the possible best way to stop this kind of thing to happen is to start it with ourselves first. Otherwise the vicious cycle will continue on. I read the story and I found maybe this newspaper did not mean to exploit this former Defense Minister. Maybe they have people there who truly believed the opinion needed to be broadcasted. And they believe in the capacity of the speaker. But then maybe you can read between the lines better than I do. Whatever it is, I agree with your stand about not exploiting anything for the sake of one's own interest.

This was really sad. I was disgusted with the story. In his day this was a bright and capable man. He contributed a lot to Canada. Now it appears he is either senile or eccentric. In any case I thought it was bad form to report his theories on UFO's.

I remember a time when this guy would have been called "eccentric" and taken with a grain of salt. But I guess that was a kinder, gentler time and this may really be stooping too low but I'm not quite sure. I'd like to think it was just that eccentricity is still considered newsworthy.