DSK: Are the French Media Responsible?

The shock surrounding the incarceration of DSK [Dominique Strauss-Kahn] will soon turn into a phenomenon that the French know well: silence about the sexual lives of political men and the undesired consequences — all in the name of protection of private life.

In the United States, where the sex scandal chase is ongoing, New York Times journalist Elaine Sciolino analyzes and questions our culture of silence. Where are the roots of this omerta (code of honor/silence)? In our regal history, for starters.

The interest of the American press in this practice isn’t without importance. That she [Elaine Sciolino] finds a pattern among our journalists is a real step forward.

The DSK affair, in addition to its basic storyline, puts into question the media, which — in the age of instant communication and twitter — continue to attempt to strengthen the barrier between public and private life that political leaders, themselves, respect less and less.

Journalist Pierre Haski, from Rue 89, agreed to a self-critique, and the New York Times cites him, regarding several affairs. Roland Dumas, ex-minister of Foreign Affairs, and his relationship with the daughter of the Syrian Defense minister; the situation with the Holland/Royal couple, during the 2007 campaign etc. … He said respected the code of silence in place, but now he wonders why he wasn’t more … But what was there to say? That DSK was a ladies’ man. It was “everywhere” and didn’t make the news.

In the U.S., when a married politician is found to have a mistress, he is ousted from politics. In the case of DSK, there were warning signs. The case of the harassed journalist, Tristane Danon, was known. No one really followed up. And the journalist, who was dissuaded by her mother, among others, never filed suit. “We haven’t done our job.”

After the DSK affair, if the facts are verified, the French press will have to rethink its sacrosanct code of silence to at least prevent human tragedies, like the lives of the victims affected. But in order to say what? To come to what end?