How the National Enquirer is Making a Credible Name for Itself

In the movie, "Men in Black," Agent Kay, played by Tommy Lee Jones, regularly turned to a circuit of tabloids to get his leads on aliens on Earth. While we may have laughed it off in the movie theater, it seems the National Enquirer is paving the journalistic path to uncovering political scandals. From the absurd headlines of "Bat Boy" to its present-day political manhunt, the magazine is starting to becoming a credible source of journalism.

Many readers are hesitant to believe what the headlines claim in tabloids such as the National Enquirer. A recent Pew survey found that 61 percent of readers believe almost nothing the National Enquirer reports, while only four percent believe most of what they read in the tabloid. However, the National Enquirer was the first and most rigorous news organization to pursue the John Edwards affair story. While Edwards came clean in August and admitted an extramarital affair with filmmaker Rielle Hunter, the National Enquirer was the only news establishment that kept on the story for months. After Edwards' admission, it seemed the media was quick to jump on the National Enquirer bandwagon.

The tabloid also alleges that Edwards and Hunter have a love child. While Hunter did give birth last year, she has not disclosed the name of the father. Edwards denied fathering a child but the tabloid has maintained that Edwards is indeed the father.

Now, the National Enquirer has set its sights on Sarah Palin, the Alaskan governor who was picked as John McCain's vice presidential nominee. The tabloid accuses Palin of having an affair with her husband's ex-business partner. Coincidentally, the business partner, whom the National Enquirer named as Brad Hanson, divorced his then-wife and has filed motions to seal the court documents in light of the National Enquirer's allegations.