For information on how we process your data, read our Privacy Policy
Thank you. We will email you when this book is available to order
You must sign in to add this item to your wishlist. Please sign in or create an account
The line dividing public life and private behavior in American politics is more blurred than ever. When it comes to questions about sex, substance abuse and family life, anything goes on the political desk in many newsrooms, including uncorroborated hearsay disguised as news. But some stories still never make it into print or on the air. What are the rules for politicians and journalists in the aftermath of Washington's biggest sex scandal?
Peepshow looks behind the scenes at news coverage of political scandals, analyzing what gets reported, what doesn't, and why. The authors talk with top news editors to get a fix on what will make the evening news and what we're likely to read about in the next campaign season.
The costs of today's politics-by-scandal are mounting, with disaffected voters, discouraged candidates, and a news corps distracted from policy issues and substantive debate. But the forces driving “attack journalism” have as much to do with voters and candidates as they do with what the press is organized to report.
Peepshow offers an alternative view of the prurient side of election coverage, helping newsroom decision-makers and campaign managers see through the inevitable scandals of election year 2000 and gain insight into presenting a politics of public trust.
CASE STUDIES include:
- South Carolina Governor David Beasley's denial of an unsubstantiated extramarital affair;
- Georgia gubernatorial candidate Mike Bowers' admitted affair with his secretary;
- Reporting on rumors sparked by Texas Governor George W. Bush's admission that he was once “young and irresponsible;”
- Congressional affairs involving Representatives Barr, Burton, Chenoweth, Hyde and Livingston;
- The divorces of Bob Dole and John McCain;
- The outing of Arizona Rep. Jim Kolbe's and the sexuality of other members of Congress and candidates;
- Mississippi Governor Kirk Fordice's off-again, on-again divorce;
- Coverage of Colorado Governor Roy Romer's “affectionate” relationship with a top aide and adviser.
Published | Jul 11 2001 |
---|---|
Format | Ebook (Epub & Mobi) |
Edition | 1st |
Extent | 208 |
ISBN | 9781461665953 |
Imprint | Rowman & Littlefield Publishers |
Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
More than a peep at the show of politics, Peepshow is a serious study of how scandal coverage has corrupted political coverage. The authors deserve credit for criticizing not just the journalists, but the candidates and voters too for degrading our politics.
Marvin Kalb, Harvard professor emeritus; now senior adviser to Pulitzer Center; former network correspondent
Three of America's best political analysts have brilliantly tackled a grisly truth: sex and scandal have been institutionalized in American politics, with 'oppo' researchers digging not just through an adversary's old speeches and voting records, but divorce papers and the garbage. A must-read (and weep).
Morton Kondracke, Roll Call
An insightful, troubling, and-for a journalist-embarassing account of the impact on American public life of the news media's propensity to personalize and attack in covering politics. The authors lay down prudent guidelines that should be must-reading in every newsroom.
Robert Novak, CNN's "Evans, Novak, Hunt & Shields"
At a time when people are becoming more skeptical of a brand of journalism that focuses on the personal lives of those in public service-sometimes at the expense of substantive debate-the authors of Peepshow have done a great service by outlining the new journalistic rules. Acknowledging that personal character is important in politics as in other fields, they make clear what's at stake in the emerging debate about where to draw the lines.
Senator Paul Wellstone
Peepshow is a fascinating study of the ever-changing boundaries separating public life from private-a remarkably useful reminder to the press of right and wrong in their profession.
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Lieutenant Governor of Maryland
The authors' proposed 'fairness doctrine' is a considerable contribution to the debate over how the media should cover candidates' sexual, medical, legal, and financial histories. There isn't a newsroom in America that couldn't benefit from the authors' wisdom.
Stephen Hess, The Brookings Institution
Your School account is not valid for the Canada site. You have been logged out of your account.
You are on the Canada site. Would you like to go to the United States site?
Error message.