
Getting Too Close to the Story
AP
TV reporter Amy Jacobson is captured on video near a pool at Craig Stebic's Plainfield, Ill., home.
A Chicago reporter lost her job after video surfaced of her in a swimsuit at the home of missing mom Lisa Stebic. WMAQ-TV’s Amy Jacobson had been covering the disappearance of the 38 year-old woman, but came under scrutiny after the video surfaced, which also included footage of Jacobson’s children and Lisa Stebic’s estranged husband Craig.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Jacobson was planning to go swimming with her children when she received a call from Craig Stebic’s sister inviting her to discuss the case at the couple’s home. "It was a way for me to do my work and have fun with my kids," Jacobson told the newspaper. She concedes she “made a lapse in judgment,” but doesn’t feel the video accurately portrayed the situation.
FOX wants to know what YOU think Did reporter Amy Jacobson cross the line? How close is too close for a journalist and his or her sources? E-mail us at speakout@foxnews.com and check back later to read responses!
Here's what FOX Fans are saying:
“A reporter goes to a man’s house and swims in his pool … big deal. If she were sleeping with the guy, it’s still none of anyone’s business. She just needs a good lawyer.” Don
“Yes, I believe that what she did was wrong. How can she claim to be objective? What if it turns out that the missing wife is dead? Then what?” Bill (Pomeroy, IA)
“I think that it would be really hard to be an objective reporter while swimming in the pool of people that you're interviewing. I don't believe for a minute that it was a lapse in judgment. She just didn’t think that she was going to get caught.” Allen (Clay City, KY)
“She was working on a story to get more information. It's too bad [the station] was quick to fire her, but he is an idiot. She will hook up with another bigger network and look back on this as just a hiccup in her career.” C.
“This is nothing compared to what most reporters do. It’s a non-event” Gus
“This reporter of 10 years knew better. How unprofessional to be so familiar with a man whose wife has disappeared.” Mark
“I think every reporter wants their 15 minutes of fame, and I believe they would do most anything to get a story. Sometimes these things backfire, and now she is the subject of an investigation. To answer your question I think she went too far.” Bob (Ellensburg, WA)












