power without responsibility (jn 500) scandal and the decline of deference case study: profumo...

Power Without Responsibility (JN 500)

Scandal and the Decline of DeferenceCase Study: Profumo Affair

Lecture Outline1. Scandal, Sleaze and the News2. The Decline of Deference3. Case Study: Profumo Affair

1. Scandal, Sleaze and the NewsScandals are newsworthy because:

They have the human interest value of high-profile individuals;

They are unusual events that rupture regular political processes

They have a high degree of clarity and are unambiguous; and

They are negative events that foster conflict and drama (Craig 2004, p. 19).

1. Scandal, Sleaze and the News

News media scrutiny of scandals ensures a high degree of accountability.

Alternatively, the random nature of scandals, their unpredictable and often quickly forgotten narratives, and focus on individuals rather than process and political structures may detract from quality journalism and public understanding.

1. Scandal, Sleaze and the News“The increasing political role of scandals is

consonant with a political system where disclosure rather than argument and analysis is the main activity. The news media are relatively weak and erratic conveyors of policy debates and performance, but are powerful narrators of concrete events and effective portrayers of the drama of conflict” (Tiffen 1999, p. 252).


News offers definitions and management of social deviance: “The defining characteristic of journalism is that it visualizes deviance and control as these relate to visions of social order and change” (Erikson, Baranek and Chan 1987, p. 8).

1. Scandal, Sleaze and the NewsDismiss stories of scandal and sleaze as peripheral to

the real business of reporting politics?

Or do such stories have political legitimacy because they focus on the character of individual political leaders,

raising issues of trust?


Do sleaze and scandal reportage at expense of parliamentary reportage.

Descent into tabloidisationDistorted news values deprive public of what

they really need to knowAnti-democratic preferring of trivia over

serious policy matters


Scandals as kind of tokenism and fundamental form of diversion:

“… there is a sense in which contemporary ‘sleaze’ journalism can be viewed as a safety-valve for advanced capitalist societies …..a public demonstration and ritual denunciation of elite deviance which mocks and subverts the ‘ruling classes’ without actually threatening the structural core of the system” (McNair 200, p. 58).

1. Scandal, Sleaze and the NewsMcNair alternatively says “sleaze

journalism ….should be viewed as the welcome by-product of an era when journalistic deference toward political elites has been eroded, and the normative watchdog function of the Fourth Estate is increasingly applied…” (2000, p. 54)

Scandals and sleaze particularly relevant when at odds with public pronouncements.


Scandals have had real political effects on UK governments. The Major government, for example, was undermined by cash-for-questions scandal and adulterous affairs involving Piers Merchant MP and others.’Family values?@

1. Scandal, Sleaze and the NewsScandal and sleaze

continue to be a significant part of the political news landscape.

MP Expenses scandal (2009) broke by Daily Telegraph journalists after leaks and FOI requests. Resulted in resignation of Speaker Michael Martin, and resignations of Ministers and MPs and jail for some.

2. The Decline of Deference The decline of deference

refers to the challenge to, and breakdown of, political and social hierarchies from the 1950s and 1960s.

Robin Day’s political interviews from the mid-1950s challenged political elites in new and powerful way. In 1958 his interview of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan was described as “the most vigorous cross-examination a prime minister has been subjected to in public.”

2. The Decline of DeferenceThe 1960s saw the rise

of current affairs programming and political news satire programmes, such as That Was The Week That Was.

2. The Decline of DeferenceThe decline of deference

has helped with the rise of a more independent journalism that is critical of all sections of society and investigates without fear or favour. Question of whether it has also contributed to diminishing regard for politicians and other public figures?

CHLOE SMITH??MICHAEL HOWARD

3. Case Study: The Profumo Affair1963 political scandal

involving John Profumo, the Secretary of State for War, who had an affair with Christine Keeler, who was alleged to have also been the mistress of a Soviet spy.

3. Case Study: Profumo Affair

Profumo later admitted he lied to the House of Commons about the relationship and he resigned. The affair seriously damaged the government of Harold Macmillan.

3. Case Study: Profumo Affair

The decline of deference captured most eloquently in Mandy Rice-Davies’ famous quotation about Lord Astor’s denial of an affair with her, or even knowledge of her, at the trial of Stephen Ward: “He would, wouldn’t he?”

Deference today The Coke Lord(Lord Sewel)

The Groping Lord(Lord Rennard)The Grasping Lord(Hanningfield)

The Jailed Lord(Taylor)And the MPs too..

ReferencesCraig, G. (2004) The Media, Politics and Public Life. Sydney:

Allen & Unwin.Ericson, R.V, P. Baranek & J.B.L. Chan (1987) Visualizing

Deviance: A study of news organization. Milton Keynes: Open University Press.

Franklin B. (1997) “From the gallery to the gutter: Changing newspaper reporting of parliament.” Newszak & News Media. London: Arnold.

McNair, B. (2000) Journalism and Democracy: An evaluation of the political public sphere. London: Routledge.

Tiffen, R. (1999) Scandals: Media, politics and corruption in contemporary Australia. Sydney: UNSW Press.

power without responsibility (jn 500) scandal and the decline of deference case study: profumo...

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