Deceiving to get the story

These college reporters told the governor's office they were interested in one story to get a tour when they were really after something else. The Gov's office was mad at the deception.
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10301407

Is it OK for journalists or PR people to lie ``in the best interests of the public'' or company they work for? My general rule is to be totally up front with people about what you are looking into. And if you think it will scare them off, then tell them nothing rather than lie. Why would students need to even say what the story was about? They are doing a story involving the Gov. residence and would like a tour. If they had it cold that the tour guide was there, they really didn't need the tour except for color.