Hannah Montana and Parent-Media Conflict

You know what story on our site I'm most conflicted about? The same one that's probably going to get the most traffic.

Yep, Miley Cyrus (a.k.a. Hannah Montana) stripping off her shirt and getting her picture taken.

As a managing editor, of course, I like the story. It's already one of our most clicked stories. It will probably take top honors when the day is done, despite a lot of weighty M&A business news today (plus our brand new Million Dollar Portfolio Contest -- Woo woo!). People love to click on such titillating celebrity fodder.

We try to give readers what they're interested in. And there's big money at risk for Disney and its investors if the young lady's family-friendly aura is tarnished. (On the other hand, you could argue it's a brilliant PR stunt to make more money).

As a parent, I have to admit I'm horrified. I have children who idolize Hannah. But the idea that a 15-year-old is making herself an object of sexual desire, which is what these photos seem to be about, disturbs me.

Not to worry ... a colleague pointed out ... kids don't read Vanity Fair. I dunno. As ubiquitous as media is these days, I'm not so sure they won't get wind of it and, because HANNAH did it, think it's okay. (Another argument for making my family become Amish).

So this case could be Big Media, again, is fanning the flames of sensationalism and making a small incident worse. Me, the media guy, making life worse for me, the parent, by drawing attention to a photo flap.

Like I said: Conflicted.