Monica Lewinsky and Shame

Abstract

This study examines mainstream newspaper coverage of Monica Lewinsky in 1998, the year her relationship with President Bill Clinton came to public light. It highlights how a private citizen became a media phenomenon and object of public shame at beginning of online news distribution. The qualitative content analysis of 175 articles in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times showed that Lewinsky was scrutinized and exploited by news media. The news frames used by the newspapers reflected stereotypical shaming narratives about sexualized women who do not conform to the traditional, passive role prescribed by the dominant patriarchal ideology. Lewinsky was portrayed solely in the context of her association with men and became a caricature based on assumptions made by journalists. The newspapers also portrayed feminists as a homogeneous group that was hypocritical in its responses.

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