The New York Times gained its reputation as a great newspaper partially for its refusal to succumb to the sensationalist journalism that was characteristic of many papers in the early days of journalism.

And even today, papers like the Times and the Wall Street Journal tout the appearance of being publications that rise above sensationalist news.

Yet search “Anna Nicole Smith” on the Times’ Web site, and you will find 16 links that pertain to her recent death. In a span of less than two months, the media managed to examine an intense custody battle over Smith’s five-month-old daughter, feuding over Smith’s burial and allegations that Smith was murdered. And it all seems a little sensationalized, especially when a medical examiner determined on March 26 that Smith’s cause of death was an accidental prescription drug overdose.

The whole incident raises questions about the purpose the media serves, which is to act as society’s watchdog. In other words, the media reports on the actions of government officials, public figures and public enemies to allow the people to use the truth to hold these people accountable. As an added bonus, these figures are well-aware the media is covering their every move, and usually temper their actions.

The media also seeks to improve public health by way of education. For example, printing the news that Smith killed herself by way of drug overdose increases public awareness of drug abuse, and hopefully overdoses are prevented. Reports on crime and the punishments dealt for crimes serve first to remind the people of society’s values.

Newspapers like the Times also act as papers-of-record, the publications that document our history as a nation or community. The media serves several roles, but is always walking the fine line of reporting information the public needs to know without sensationalizing or over-dramaticizing an issue. Did the Smith case become more of an issue than it should have?

Yes.

The media needs to be wary of over-emphasizing an issue, or for that matter, of creating an issue out of something trivial. Smith is a public figure, and her death is newsworthy. But petty feuds along the way hardly count as news worthy of public knowledge.

In the future, perhaps media will remember their role: to report on news, not drama, and to champion truth above all else.