This reporter is a public figure. His name and email address are published at the end of each of his articles. His phone number at work is a matter of picking up the phone and calling the newspaper company. And yes, calling the reporter and asking him about his sources, the veracity of his quotes, as well as other aspects of his reporting is something that is one’s right to do.

The identity of a private citizen ISN’T public, from a name to an email to a telephone number, nor is that person engaging in activity that is inherently public and affects the lives of others.

Your cynical comparison makes absolutely no sense, nor does its implied criticism.