Radiolab Episode Summary: Why Don't Sex Scandals Matter Anymore?

Podcast Information:

• Title: Radiolab
• Host/Author: WNYC Studios
• Description: Radiolab explores deep questions through investigative journalism, navigating through science, legal history, and personal stories with innovative sound design. Hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser.

Episode Title: Why Don't Sex Scandals Matter Anymore?

Introduction: Revisiting a Pivotal Political Scandal

Latif Nasser opens the episode by situating listeners in the midst of the U.S. election season. While Radiolab typically steers away from direct news coverage, this episode revisits a 2016 story about the evolution of media coverage in presidential campaigns, focusing on the 1987 Gary Hart scandal. Nasser collaborates with Brooke Gladstone, host of the WNYC show On the Media, to provide both a historical perspective and an updated analysis.

Latif Nasser [01:18]: "How you doing, Brooke?"

Brooke Gladstone [36:35]: "Yeah, I think you're absolutely right. It does."

The Gary Hart Scandal: A Turning Point in Political Journalism

The core narrative recounts the 1987 scandal involving Senator Gary Hart, the then-frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination. Hart's campaign imploded after a tip-off revealed his affair with Donna Rice, a young woman from Miami.

Initial Coverage and Ethical Dilemmas

Reporter Tom Fiedler of the Miami Herald received an anonymous tip about Hart's affair. Faced with the ethical quandary of balancing public interest and personal privacy, Fiedler and his team decided to pursue the story, believing that Hart's integrity was crucial for his presidential aspirations.

Jamie York [03:19]: "Gary Hart is having an affair with one of my best friends."

Latif Nasser [12:17]: "The rules have changed."

The Stakeout and Confrontation

Fiedler orchestrated a stakeout at Hart's Washington townhouse. The tension culminated when Hart confronted the reporters in an alleyway, refusing to divulge information and ultimately walking away, signaling the end of his campaign.

Jamie York [21:18]: "Gary Hart is finished as a presidential candidate."

Impact on Media and Politics

The scandal marked a seismic shift in political journalism. Previously, personal indiscretions of politicians were often overlooked, but Hart's downfall underscored the media's new focus on character and personal ethics as pivotal factors in evaluating political leaders.

Matt Bai [05:04]: "This is the moment... When political journalism slid off the rails."

Evolving Media Ethics: Perspectives from Industry Experts

The episode features insights from various media figures, including Cokie Roberts, Leslie Stahl, and Matt Bai, who discuss the broader implications of the Hart scandal on journalism's role in politics.

Cokie Roberts on Media Evolution

Roberts emphasizes that the increasing number of women in political reporting and the influence of the women's movement ("the personal is political") expanded the media's consideration of a candidate's personal behavior as indicative of their character.

Cokie Roberts [31:03]: "We elect our presidents based on who they are, not on what policies they stand for."

Leslie Stahl's Conservative Approach

Contrasting Roberts, Stahl admits to maintaining a more traditional boundary, avoiding probing into personal matters despite recognizing their potential relevance.

Leslie Stahl [33:33]: "I just didn't want to ask about it."

Matt Bai on Changing Journalism Standards

Bai reflects on how Gary Hart's scandal forced journalism to adapt, prioritizing character assessment alongside policy analysis.

Matt Bai [10:04]: "He was cool and smart. Women liked him too."

Modern-Day Parallels: The Trump Era and Shifting Media Landscapes

The episode draws parallels between the Hart scandal and contemporary political scandals, notably those surrounding Donald Trump. Unlike Hart, Trump's multiple allegations of sexual misconduct have seemingly less impact on his political standing.

Partisan Polarization and Media Distrust

Brooke Gladstone and Latif Nasser discuss how today's rigid partisanship and fragmented media consumption contribute to scandals having diminished effects. The electorate's cynicism and the prevalence of misinformation further erode the impact of personal indiscretions.

Brooke Gladstone [37:36]: "This has to do, at least in part, with an evolution since the time of Gary Hart."

Jad Abumrad [37:07]: "This is a profoundly cynical time."

Media's Role in Amplifying or Diminishing Scandals

The episode critiques the modern media's tendency to prioritize sensationalism and distraction over substantive reporting, leading to ethical paralysis and a focus on trivial issues that overshadow significant political matters.

Jad Abumrad [42:26]: "Causes a kind of emotional, intellectual and maybe even ethical paralysis."

Conclusion: The Future of Political Scandals and Media Ethics

Latif Nasser and Jad Abumrad reflect on the symbiotic relationship between media and political leadership, suggesting that the direction of future journalism depends on both media choices and public demand for accountability versus entertainment.

Jad Abumrad [43:13]: "But if our media and our leadership offer us something else, we can be better."

Latif Nasser [43:52]: "Tabloid coverage will give you tabloid presidents, I guess, is the vision there."

Brooke Gladstone wraps up by highlighting the necessity for media to curate news that clarifies rather than muddies public understanding, advocating for a more responsible journalism landscape.

Brooke Gladstone [34:18]: "Some things may be interesting, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're important."

Key Takeaways

• Gary Hart's Scandal as a Catalyst: The 1987 affair revealed the media's shifting focus towards politicians' personal lives, prioritizing character alongside policy.

• Media Ethics Transformation: Increased scrutiny of public figures' personal behavior became normalized, influenced by broader social movements and changing journalistic standards.

• Modern Partisanship and Cynicism: Today's polarized electorate and fragmented media landscape reduce the impact of individual scandals, as partisan biases and media sensationalism overshadow ethical considerations.

• Future of Political Reporting: The relationship between media practices and political accountability remains dynamic, with potential for either continued sensationalism or a return to more substantive journalism.

Notable Quotes

• Gary Hart's Statement [34:26]:

  "Politics in this country... is on the verge of becoming another form of athletic competition or sporting match."

• Cokie Roberts on Media Responsibility [32:24]:

  "You can split off, how's he going to be as president? And you know, is he cheating on his wife?"

• Kevin Sweeney on the Press Conference [28:56]:

  "When I heard that response, I felt it. I felt it. The tone was such that it felt like defeat."

Production Credits

• Produced by: Simon Adler, Jamie York, Rebecca Lacks
• Hosted by: Latif Nasser and Jad Abumrad
• Special Contributions: Brooke Gladstone, Cokie Roberts, Leslie Stahl, Matt Bai, Kevin Sweeney

Further Resources

• Book Referenced: Matt Bai's All the Truth Is Out
• Website: Radiolab.org

This summary encapsulates the comprehensive exploration of the evolution of political sex scandals and media coverage from the Gary Hart era to the present day, highlighting the intricate dynamics between journalism ethics, media practices, and public perception.