media circus

A media circus is an event that occurs when an aspect of a popular news event receives almost ludicrously high levels of media attention. The image of a circus is thus evoked by the vast troop of reporters who are sent to cover the story, as well as a seemingly endless parade of pundits, spin doctors, and spokespeople. A media circus will commonly appear when a story revolves around one central location. For example, when "Baby Jessica" (Jessica McClure) fell down a well, the well became the site of a huge convocation of reporters and cameramen. Elin Gonzlez's home in Miami following his custody conflict was also home to a enormous media circus, complete with tents, food vans, and dressing rooms camped outside for the television networks' vast staff. Events sometimes described as a media circus include:

In the United States:

The trials of O. J. Simpson, especially his criminal trial
The sex scandal of President Bill Clinton
The sex scandal of Congressman Gary Condit
The trials of Michael Jackson
The trial of Martha Stewart
The trial of Pamela Smart
The Scott and Laci Peterson case
The trial of Kobe Bryant
The Columbine massacre
The Florida Recount of Election 2000
The Terri Schiavo coverage.

In Canada:

The marriage of Janet Jones to Wayne Gretzky

In the United Kingdom:

The marriage of Lady Diana Spencer to Charles, Prince of Wales
The death and funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, in August/September 1997
The detention of general Augusto Pinochet

In Brazil:

The Candelaria Massacre
The Chico Mendes murder case

Media Circus

See also