Representation of Political Scandals in the Media

Representation of Political Scandals in the MediaPolitical Scandals Interim SubmissionThe question that I have chosen to answer for my pose is How fair and balanced has the c everyplaceage of political turds been in the British media? By selecting this question I can explore the different political affiliations in the British press during times of scandal and how each news media reported on it depending on their relationship with the political companionship at the centre of the controversy.Firstly, to begin my see I leave behind provide some background information on how the press functions in UK politics for which I have conducted some research on for the interim submission using the chapter titled Judging the Media Impartiality and Broadcasting in the book governing and the Media Harlots and Prerogatives at the Turn of the Millennium (chapter written by Eric B atomic number 18ndt and edited by Jean Seaton). I have found that it is common knowledge that UK newspapers are, of flux, free to maintain whichever party its editor or proprietor, chooses, and to take sides on political issues. With this power they are not expected to be impartial or balanced in their coverage of contentious political matters such as General Elections and political scandals. For example, The Sun itself claimed credit for the surprise victory of the Conservatives in the General Election of 1992 with the notorious front-page headline Its The Sun Wot Won It on Saturday 11 April 1992, according to John Curtice in his research piece Was it the Sun wot won it again? The influence of newspapers in the 1997 election campaign (http//www.crest.ox.ac.uk/papers/p75.pdf). Because of this ahead of the 1997 election, Tony Blair in opposition assiduously courted Rupert Murdoch and the editors of his newspapers. It is unlikely that the Labour majority in 1997 would have been so plumping, had the Sun not decided to support it six weeks before polling day. These freedoms are substantive aspect s of the traditional British understanding of press freedom, also establishmentally guaranteed in many other nations including the USA by the First Amendment (http//www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/first_amendment).To show that I know what I am writing about and avoid misinterpretations by settling on a single understanding of chance upon terms I will define terms such as fair, balanced media, power normal, success, failure, disaster and of course scandal. Defining terms ensures that I am talking about the same things as the reader. For example, I could define fruit salad as containing, pineapples, yellow apples and bananas. By doing this, the reader will not object when I later write that fruit salad has vital red deficiencies. By defining power, I would demonstrate that I am aware of other interpretations of the term. It will actually often not be essential to state what the other explanations are, except if the distinction is an essential aspect of the argument.I will be struct uring my essay chronologically covering seven scandals over a ninety-one year period in Politics from the Marconi scandal in the summer of 1912 to the Iraq struggle and the apparent suicide of Dr. David Kelly in July 2003. Furthermore, one of the scandals I will be researching will be an overseas scandal the Lewinsky scandal, which involved former US president Bill Clinton. I will use the scandal for comparison with the John Profumo sex scandal.In addition, I am going to use a wide range of sources for the essay including books, newspaper articles, journals, academic research and blogs. All these historical scandals have their own historiography. I will look at the way that they have been written in the press over time (during the scandals and during the present day), the occasional conflicting objectives pursued by journalists and academics on them over time, and the way in which such details form peoples understanding of the scandals.These different sources are important because they will help meTo gather information so that I can develop and enhance on my own political knowledge and understanding of particular scandals and how they were reported in the British media.To identify, build and support arguments or research in the essay which will help demonstrate the understandings that I have acquired.I have listed the scandals that I will be covering, the orbit of research that I have conducted for them, the different sources that I have referred to for my research and a provisional list of sources that I plan to use in the terminal essay below. Moreover, I have included a rough word count for each scandal.THE MARCONI SCANDAL 1912Centered around allegations that members of the Liberal Government, under Herbert Asquiths premiership, had profited by inappropriate use of information about the Governments plans with respect to theMarconi Company knowing that the government was about to issue a lucrative contract to the British Marconi company for theImperial W ireless Chain, they had bought shares in an American subsidiary.The allegations included the fact that Isaacs brother,Godfrey Isaacs, was managing director of the Marconi company.Although the political repercussions were in fact minor, theNew Witnessdrew conclusions about fraud in British politics.SUEZ CRISIS 1956Anthony heaven becomes Prime Minister in 1955 high sense of optimism. Hailsham a real post-war government, led by a PM who represented contemporary manhood, rather than the pre-First cosmos War generation. Optimism about progressive ideas in domestic affairs, his belief in property owning democracy and industrial partnership. However, all Edens career had been orthogonal affairs and not domestic politics.Ironically his downfall was foreign affairs Suez Crisis. Ends in disaster, military operation called off in humiliating circumstances as Britain withdraws payable to American pressure due to economic reasons.OutcomesPolitical crisis Eden seemed weak, lost in a policy he was supposed to be the get over of. Came under heavy attack from Labour in parliament and sections of national press e.g. Manchester Guardian. By lying to Parliament about collusion with France and Israel, Eden had tarnished his moving-picture show and prestige.Chancellor Harold Macmillan leading the campaign with Edens console table for Britain to abort Suez.Demise of Eden never recovered from Suez (though resigns due to poor health in 1957). Replaced by Macmillan.PROFUMO AFFAIR 1963Scandal which was a personal disaster for Harold Macmillan. Given sensational treatment by the press. Political impact of the affair was actually light lived but the image of Macmillan as old and out of touch was reinforced.SignificanceIdeal excuse for press to go after every detail nip became less deferential, more intrusive previous tactics used by government to prevent publication of sensitive or embarrassing information no longer worked.Booker after years of uneasy indulgence, the people were restless and dissatisfiedwild rumours of strange and wild happenings in the country villas, of orgies and philandering..brought the capital into a frenzy of surmisal and contempt aroused by the Government in the hearts of the great bargain of the peopleLEWINSKY SCANDAL 1998 (USA) COMPARISON1995Monica Lewinsky hired as a White kin intern.Series of 10 sexual encounters.Kenneth Starr investigates.Michael Isikoff, Newsweek reporter, investigates, but magazine delays publishing.First public report of the scandal seen on Drudge Report.Clinton denies allegations.Extremely detailed Starr Report released.Lewinsky allegations push aside in Paula Jones case, but coverage is still pervasive.Rumors circulate on the internet.24/7 cable news networks.Decline of gatekeeping sensationalist journalism.Salience and dumbed-down news.Pressure on news outlets to report on rumors.Publics right to know?Drawing the line between news and drama/entertainment.JOHN MAJOR AND bargain rate 1990sGrowing internal divisions in the Conservative Party after 1992Major an unlucky PM?Exhausting battles began to drown out the positive achievements in a sea of party infighting and political setbacks.Between Black Wednesday and the 1997 election, Major suffered a slow political death.Majors tribulations can be summed up asEasy target for satirists and cartoonists Private Eye, Rory Bremner, Spitting Images grey man. None of this Satire vicious and Major remained personally more popular than his party, but the image of Major as a well-meaning but bumbling and inadequate leader stuck to him.Blatant actions by anti-Europe elements in own party 1993 Maastricht Treaty was initially blocked by rebel MPs. Major won the vote in the end but authority was damaged. Do we requirement 3 more of the bastards accidentally recorded press, e.g. Daily Mail, speculating as to whom Major was referring to speculation as to whether a leadership challenge would occur. It did not but the menace was damaging eno ugh. Major tried to reshuffle his cabinet in 1994 with little impact.Press speculation continued about possible challengers for leadership from disaffected cabinet members 1995 Major called for leadership election so that he could be re-elected to do his own job (Back me or sack me).Sleaze press coverage divulge here sensationalist and intrusive and a contrast with Majors Back to Basics campaign 1993 (call for return to traditional moral values). Examples include Yeo and Mellor (sex scandal, resigned), Scott enquiry 1994 (illegal selling of arms investigation, Torys economical with truth), Archer and Aitken (perjury).Major became easy target, respect declined gave press fuel. Sleaze similar impact as Profumo matter on Macmillan 1962. Seen as out of touch, untrustworthy, too preoccupied with own traumas than those of Britain in comparison to a reinvigorated Labour. Further press and opposition hostility due to ammunition easy target. Sleaze ran all way to 1997 election factor in Labours 1997 victory?POLITICAL IMPACT OF IRAQ/ DEATH OF DR. DAVID KELLY 2003Iraq War and Blair-Bush relationship is argued to be the defining issue of Blairs second term.Blair had to fight two wars over Iraq one against Saddam Hussein one to win over political and public opinion at homeMedia initially supportive. Continually supportive of our lads but not of the governments/countries who led Britain into Iraq.Method Intelligence dossier on weapons of mass destruction idea Hussein had biological and nuclear weapons.Failed to convince those who though WMD had been exaggerated/overrated.Questions over why Alastair Campbell played such a large role in drafting dossier sexed up dossier (Gilligan, 2003) to exaggerate the threat from Saddam and that it was intended for political purposes.Accusations dossier was about political presentation rather than tricky evidence.Impact of WMD No WMD were found.Death of Dr. David Kelly (weapons expert at MoD) further damaged the governments re mystifyation as the case dominated the national news, rocked the government, and put the doubt into the British publics mind about whether this dossier had indeed been exaggerated.The role of critical and sensationalist press had a profound effect entitle Huttons Enquiry absolved the government from blame and criticised the BBC but the damage was done.