The temptation has been irresistible; the provocation insupportable. When the President of the You-nighted States of America couldn't keep his eyes and hands off whatever, why should benighted journalists? Because of our children.On Friday, CNN carried a report on American Edition which expressed deep and grave concern over kids being exposed to certain topographical features of Lewinsky's landscape and Billy-boy's exploratory expeditions thereof; concern over kids learning the legal definition of `a sexual relationship' as though they were memorising the laws of gravity; concern that they might hear of a creature called satyriasis (``what's that ma?'').Why, parents were aghast at what was being broadcast in the name of TV news. ``I don't let my kids watch the news,'' said one mother more cutting than a scissor. And here is the most delicious juiciness: the V-chip, that technical toy American parents can use to block out anything they feel is unsuitable on TV for their children? Well, that V-chipis not equipped to blank out the news! Logic being: news maybe current affairs but it's not sexy.How ironic. That CNN should carry such a story when it has pursued the Starr report with about as much tenacity as Starr did the President. What we have seen or heard and read in the last ten days is hanky-panty pornography, no two ways about it. It's a `sweetie' pie topped with a dollop of the Kama Sutra. And all in the name of news.All manner of people have appeared on countless TV shows gravely discussing what the President and Monica did and whether what they did together amounted to going all the way or not. No sooner did the Internet release the Starr report than TV channels were drooling over Monica & Bill, blow by blow (if you will forgive the pun).It's not that the journalists, politicians or commentators who spoke were prurient, nooooo sirreee. They were doing it for America, the red white and the blue. In pursuit of truth and justice. It's not that TV channels were keeping an eye on theirviewership ratings and trying to keep up with the Internet, nooooo sirree. Never. They were simply altruistic: they wanted to share all the dirty details (including a stained dress) with everyone, not just those who had Internet access. So kind.Today, footage of the President's testimony is to be released. When they made the film Sex, Lies and Videotape little could the producers have imagined that one day it would be a television show starring the P.of USA. This will be television's revenge on the Internet: you may have got the Starr report, but we've got the President (stage direction: stick out your tongue)! Should adults and children, worldwide, be subjected to Clinton's confessions? Frankly, the answer to that question is irrelevant.Frankly, your opinion is as inconsequential as that of the American public who in a Friday poll overwhelmingly expressed the desire NOT to see Clinton's disclosures. But you do have a choice: you can refuse to watch the news for the entire week; you can switch channelsthe minute a news bullein begins; you can take a walk.Let's try to be honest. Like drinking and driving, morality and media don't mix; sex and power do. Of course, this is sexual exploitation; you won't be able to stop it any more than you can stop pornography. You might think it is sad, gross that respected news channels and journalists are spending their and public time on a three-letter word as old Frank Blue Eyes Sinatra sang, ``That's life''. And it's news: if the Chief Executive of the biggest, brightest nation in the world is in jeopardy for any reason whatsoever, it is headlines. Fact. And admit it: you will watch the videotapes just as you listened to, watched or read the Starr report (with increasing disgust, no doubt). Meanwhile, Russia acquired Primakov as PM, meanwhile Afghanistan and Iran teeter towards the brink of war.Also, if you don't watch the news, what will you watch? TV serials? Films? Guess what's happening in them? One example: Z is in love with R who is engaged to Xand pursued by Y who vows he will marry R despite X and Z; R wants Z to marry S who is sister to X. Z's brother is married to A but bedding B and making everyone very unhappy.Come back Clinton, all is truly forgiven.
