The media and the mayhem

Contrary to the general impression, the mania did not begin with the Monica Lewinsky episode. It began a week earlier, when Paula Jones came to Washington, DC. For weeks before, the Washington Press corps, the world’s biggest, had no story to crank up. Despite Saddam Hussain, the world was quiet, by and large; the Asian financial crisis was too distant and left the American economy largely untouched; and the Congress, a source of unrelenting jaw-jaw, was in recess. The capital’s hackdom was desperate. Journalists were becoming irrelevant. Columnists were unemployed. Talking headshad fallen silent. Lay-offs were imminent. Holidaying in India in December, even I was emboldened to extend my vacation when I saw the only story out of DC all month long was about Clinton’s new dog. If ever there were dog days for hacks, it was that December.

Enter Paula Jones. I still remember the day she came to Washingon, DC — several reporters actually went to the airport — to receive her! There were stories of her checking into the hotel and pictures of her dining out that evening. The Washington Post ran a piece by its fashion editor in its Style section on Jones’s sartorial change — and new coiffure. There was a buzz of excitement in the air. On Saturday morning, the day her lawyers were to depose Clinton, a cheerful, jostling, mob of journos gathered before the office of the President’s attorney Robert Bennett to herald the start of the silly season. There was much laughter and banter. When Jones appeared on the scene, the mob literally fell on her in a mad frenzy. Like a rabbit startled bythundering hooves, the poor woman fled in disarray.

Then Monica Lewinsky happened. I guess the media will forever be thankful to Clinton for this largesse. Actually, come to think of it, it’s no wonder Clinton is a media favourite. The American Press corps in Washington is known to be largely Democratic, and one poll after the last election showed over 80 per cent of them voted for Clinton. Small wonder. In one fell swoop, Clinton may have breathed new life into American journalism, saving it from death by both boredom and penury. Not since Princess Di’s death (an era in TV timespan), and indeed not since the OJ Simpson trial, did the media have something to flog or froth so much about. Many reporters are hoping the story will unfold forever, keeping them gainfully employed. The one nameless dread they have is Clinton being replaced by Al Gore or some conservative Republican. Imagine how dreadfully dull life would be after this.