Even when I was working as a newspaper reporter, I tried to avoid that sort of reporting. Maybe it helps sell a few more papers, but it's sensationalism and poor taste. I tried to avoid running photos of accidents and such, and if I could I tried to avoid pressing people for private details when they didn't want to give them to me. And I always respected the off-the-record stuff, even though a lot of people will tell you things off the record simply to establish a sort of bond between you so that you are more likely to report favourably when they are invovled.

I'm probably not really reporter material, since I never had that killer instict to dig for the gorey details. :P But on the plus side, I always had a good relationship with a lot of people in positions of authority because of that, and could often get their thoughts on situations or their help in getting information because they knew I'd be respectful.