The media often tell us that it is their duty to bring to our attention the misdemeanours of powerful politicians. With that I agree. (As long as it does not become an excuse for sensationalism). Some, however, say a national leader's private life has nothing to do with his or her public life. But in the eyes of God there is no distinction between what we do in public and in private. His eyes are all seeing. If a man or woman, in his or her private life, is prepared to break a solemn promise will he or she be worthy of being trusted in public office? 
So yes, to a certain extent the media should let us know what kinds of people seek our votes. Democracy depends upon a free press and media. 

But what if the media itself misuses its power? Who is to keep the media in check? Can the government enact laws to control the Press? The dangers of that course of action are clear.

The real problem is that when society experiences a breakdown of faith and faithfulness the law alone will never be able to fill the vacuum to save our national community. This is why the Bible tells us (from beginning to end) that although God in His grace gives us His law (and we must obey it), the true basis of our relationship with Him and one another must be personal grace and faith. Without faith we will never know God and never discover His forgiveness. Without mutual trust society cannot survive. New laws alone will not save it. 

Without a free press to keep its eye on the politicians and other powerful people, governments and businesses soon begin to abuse their power and eventually turn to corruption, or even tyranny. In many parts of the world there are shocking examples of this. 

However when the press itself begins to abuse its own enormous power and freedom then we are in danger of being subject to another kind of tyranny. By using the devices of half-truth and innuendo the press can destroy the life of anyone it wants. (Especially a person who cannot afford expensive legal costs). 

Further the media as a whole can, after time, change the whole moral basis of society. For example in the past decades the media has revolutionised the way we think about sexual morals. Family breakdown and lack of trust are the results. This has had devastating consequences for the social life of the nation and brought great misery and deprivation to countless young lives. Is this as bad as the slave camps of the former Soviet Union? Perhaps not but it is still very bad with children bearing the brunt of the social breakdown.

If both the press and our national leadership are irresponsible and untrustworthy, no law enacted by Parliament will be able to put matters right. Society has to return to mutual trust and a moral foundation as a basis for government, press and individual behaviour. 

For the Christian that foundation is the self-giving love that God has for us. It is supremely seen in the Person of Christ especially in His death and resurrection.

The Humanist will tell us that we do not need God - it is rather the value that humans put on human life that counts. However, though that may work for a while with many individuals, its long term effect on society will be devastating. If there is no God who gives us our value then our concept of human purpose and value will not survive. 

If our theory of why we should value human life only rests on convention or convenience or survival, then human life is emptied of its inherent value. Societies that have consciously experimented with this human centred basis for the value of human life have degenerated into the most appalling tyrannies the world has ever known.