"Both of them opposed opening the files to the press. It was the judge who overruled them. Jeri Ryan still thinks the world of her husband and that's gracious of her, considering how bitter the couple's divorce has been. My belief is a divorce proceeding is no one else's business."
I would qualify that there are some specific circumstances where a divorce proceeding is the business of third parties, but it should never be used by the media in this fashion.
For example, a single woman considering a marriage proposal from a divorced man. If I were the woman, I would check the divorce proceedings to see if any violence was mentioned.
There may be legitimate reasons for an interested party to look at divorce files, like the one you mentioned, but the media interest was pure sensationalism - it was all about sex. If there wasn't any of this stuff they could use against hubby Ryan in the files, I bet you my last dollar none of this would be on the front pages today.
Would there be any legimate reason for divorce files to be released to third parties without the consent of either spouse or their children?
In the case you described, it would seem that the single woman could inform the man that she would not consider marriage unless she saw the files; he could then either consent to let her see them or call of the relationship.