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The tabloid press have long been obsessed with celebrities and you can be certain that numerous ink-stained hacks are thrilled about the uncertainty surrounding Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore’s marriage.  Celebrity divorce is already afforded high news value amongst the UK’s yellow journalistic publications – largely due to the British public’s desire to read about the failings of individuals who have otherwise enjoyed success – and recent revelations concerning Kutcher’s possible infidelities have made an already juicy story even more palatable to news editors nationwide. Before castigating the press, though, I feel that I should point out that neither Kutcher nor Moore have done a great deal to dispel rumours of their divorce. Yes, there have been a few twitter comments here and there but these have been cryptic and, in many ways, it seems that the couple want to encourage, not quash, rumours of marital strife and potential divorce. It would be cynical to conclude that the couple are utilising divorce to increase their profiles, but in the interest of objectivity, I think that it should be mentioned as a possibility. The media’s willingness to exploit the perils of the rich and famous is understandable. The public demand celebrity gossip and the media – eager to sell more papers – oblige. In many instances, the relationship between celebrities and the media is symbiotic; stars help the media to sell advertising space and the media keep celebrities in the public’s psyche – what some would deem to be an invasion of privacy is welcomed by many celebrities. The media is just as obligated to entertain as it is to inform, but adamantly covering the latest developments in a couple’s divorce seems, well… for want of a more eloquent assessment, a bit wrong. Any couple that is experiencing marital problems would surely prefer these matters not to be discussed so openly in the public sphere. Perhaps some welcome it, but I’m sure that most don’t. Just as any normal person does not want their neighbours to circulate rumours about them and the problems that they may be having in their relationships, many celebrities will not want the media to report on the trauma of their divorce and broadcast it to the general public. I espouse the press’s right to free speech, however, and feel that they should be able to print whatever they believe to be newsworthy. I would not therefore wish to impose any restrictions upon the media; I would merely ask them to exercise restraint when a celebrity’s marriage ends in a divorce court. What are your thoughts on the matter? Please leave a comment.