Was Mayhill Dishonest?

Mayhill Fowler, a writer for the Huffington Post, is famous for taping Bill Clinton talking negatively about another journalist and reporting on it. Fowler was following the Clintons during Hillary's 2008 campaign when Fowler asked Clinton, ""Mr. President what do you think about that hatchet job somebody did on you in Vanity Fair?"

That somebody was Todd Purdum who wrote an article in Vanity Fair saying Clinton was tarnishing Hillary's campaign with his actions and the type of friends he was surrounding himself with. Clinton called Purdum a sleaze, scumbag, and dishonest guy. Fowler then went on to report the story in the Huffington Post.

Only issue: Fowler did not announce herself as a citizen journalist. Clinton apologized later for the comments but he did not know Fowler was reporting. She did claim that her tap recorder was in plain view and Clinton, being a political figure, should be careful about what he says on campaigns. However, does that mean everyone is at fault? Should Fowler have announced she was a journalist? Should Clinton have even said what he said?

I think journalists should announce themselves, no questions, but Clinton's comments were out of line. So the debate remains what was the ethical thing to do?