There's an odd conversation on here about Olivia Nuzzi being shamed for sex and while some of the jokes knocking around probably do go there most of the criticism has not been about sex but about *an inappropriate, undisclosed* relationship with a subject of coverage. That's 100% fair and necessary.

That conversation is led by people who prize identity politics over…politics

Absolutely, but with RFKJr personally, there is also a certain amount of public revulsion mixed into the equation.

Well, not much of a conversation because she disabled replies.

It's also a strain of criticism that should probably be applied more, not less to certain kinds of reporting in legacy media - reporting on SCOTUS, for example. Nina Totenberg presumably never had sex with anyone on the court, but may also have become too personally friendly with justices.

Yes. If she told her editors about the relationship and took herself off campaign coverage, she could fuck or sext anybody she wanted. It's the conflict of interest, not the sex. And I'm adamant that while you can exhibit poor judgment at any age, 31 is not too young to be held accountable for it.

Sure it’s more titillating than Totenberg’s friendship with Ginsburg, but also Nuzzi’s writing style — a little snarky, flouting insider status, centering herself in the story — also makes her a juicier target.

An important distinction to make!

Nothing I’ve seen has shamed Nuzzi for sex per se. It has mocked her for showing appallingly bad judgement by sharing sexy photos with RK Jr., who is clearly not someone worthy of such trust.

“Ethics in gaming journalism”…. I hope that explains the discomfort.

A lot of that seems to be coming from other media people, which I find very clarifying in regard to their own journalistic ethics.