One Scandalous Story: Clinton, Lewinsky, and Thirteen Days That Tarnished American Journalism

by Marvin Kalb

The author draws on his four decades of TV journalism experience to analyze media coverage of the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, lending valuable historical and personal perspective the recent events, and past presidential pecadillos.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Politics

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 2001

Reviews

[Geoffrey Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back to the Clinton story. I am not sure why I am reading up on his presidency, but it provides a distraction from COVID-19! This book should be read along side Michael Isikoff’s book “ Uncovering Clinton”, which told his story of “ breaking” the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Kalb takes a highly critical view of the media coverage over 13 days in January, 1998, when in the hyper-competitive climate between print and electronic media, journalists rushed to tell their stories, often relying on scant information and an anonymous source or two. He is critical of Isikoff’s role at times, as he becomes part of the story, and involved in negotiations with the office of the independent counsel, Kenneth Starr, over the timing of his article and access to the tapes recorded secretly by Linda Tripp. He also notes the arrival of social media in the coverage, as the Drudge Report would print, with little verification, rumours that placed even more pressure on more traditional journalists and media outlets. More than twenty years later, the weaknesses and failures identified by Kalb, a veteran journalist, are more evident than ever. The need to “ feed the beast” on 24-hour news channels, the cutbacks at traditional media in the face of online competition, and the blurring of the lines between delivering the news and expressing opinions have created an unholy mess, and an unhealthy world of “fake news” and “ alternate facts”. Heaven help us all.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was interesting, and worrisome, that over recent decades, the public assumes political figures are lying and assumes that the press is bias. Sad to see journalism move from providing facts for the public to responding to drama tactics that appeal to the public despite what is true and factual. Whom are we to learn the actual news from?

[Monte Lamb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marvin Kalb uses the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal to show how journalism has changed with the advent of the 24 hour news cycle. Sources are no longer "hard" as in the days of Watergate and gossip, innuendo, and controlled news leaks are the order of the day. This is well-written and informative.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a journalist, I liked the behind-the-scenes of how Newsweek broke the affair.