Khawar Maneka’s allegations spark debate over media coverage of politicians’ private lives

ISLAMABAD: Should the media cover political sex scandals or not? The debate is as old as these scandals are. Despite the ethical, social and legal questions, the media coverage of extramarital affairs of politicians has continued.

Former prime minister Imran Khan’s nikah with Bushra Bibi before the completion of the mandatory Iddat period has sparked a debate about whether the media should cover the private lives of politicians or not. 

Furthermore, the allegations levelled by Khawar Maneka, the ex-husband of Bushra Bibi, have added more fuel to this controversy. There is no definitive answer to these questions as there are different perspectives, criteria and arguments for every single case involving politicians.

The media in the United States, United Kingdom and India has covered the sex scandals of politicians over the last many decades. There were contrasting opinions about what constitutes a public interest vis-a-vis politicians’ sex scandals. Some argue that the media has a responsibility to expose the hypocrisy and moral corruption of politicians who abuse their power. Whereas, some believe that the media are too intrusive and sensationalist and that they violate the privacy and dignity of politicians and their families.

The US Supreme Court recently announced a code of conduct to address ethics concerns, but it is unclear how it will be enforced and who will monitor the justices’ compliance. The code comes after several ethical controversies involving conservative justices, such as Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch, who have been accused of having conflicts of interest, receiving gifts and favours, and failing to disclose financial transactions related to their properties and relatives.

In addition to the US and the UK, the Indian media has also covered political sex scandals. It has been more aggressive in covering the politicians’ sex scandals. Below are famous political sex scandals covered by the American media:

The American media has covered political sex scandals dating back from 1776 to 2022. It extensively covered the scandals involving politicians be it former US President Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, Anthony Weiner and Eliot Spitzer.

Mel Reynolds scandal in 1995: This scandal involved a Democrat Representative who was engaged in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old campaign volunteer in 1992. He was later convicted and resigned from Congress in 1995.

Bill Clinton sex scandal: Former US president Bill Clinton’s sex scandal led to his impeachment. Although he was acquitted by the Senate, his scandal was covered by the American as well as the entire world’s media.

Senator Pete Domenici scandal: Republican Senator Pete Domenici confessed that he fathered a son out of his marriage. Senator Brock Adams scandal: Senator Brock Adams was accused by eight women of committing acts of sexual misconduct. The senator denied the accusations but he did not run for re-election.

Senator John Ensign scandal: Republican Senator John Ensign resigned from his position as Chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee after admitting he had extramarital affairs with the wife of a close friend.

Governor Mark Sanford scandal: The South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford scandal made headlines in the American media after it was revealed that he went to spend a week with his mistress in Argentina. Later he had to resign from governorship in 2009.

Donald Trump sex scandal: Former US president Trump was accused of sexual assault by 25 women but he denied the accusations. These are just a few examples of the US politicians whose sex scandals were covered by the media.

Below are some examples of political sex scandals covered by the UK media;

The Profumo affair in 1963: It involved a Conservative Minister John Profumo who had an affair with Christine Keeler, a model who was also involved with a Soviet naval attaché. The scandal led to Profumo’s resignation and damaged the reputation of the Conservative government.

The cash-for-questions affair in 1994: This scandal involved two Conservative MPs, Neil Hamilton and Tim Smith, accepting bribes from Mohamed Al-Fayed, the owner of Harrods, to ask parliamentary questions on his behalf. The scandal led to the resignation of both MPs.

The expenses scandal in 2009: It involved several MPs from different parties claiming excessive or fraudulent expenses for their second homes, travel, and other costs. The scandal led to the resignation or de-selection of many MPs.

The News of the World phone hacking scandal in 2011: This scandal involved the tabloid newspaper hacking into the voicemails of celebrities, politicians, and crime victims. The scandal led to the closure of the newspaper and the arrest of several journalists and editors.

The #MeToo movement in 2017: It involved several women accusing prominent politicians, media persons, and people from the entertainment industry of sexual harassment or assault. The movement led to the resignation or suspension of several MPs, including Michael Fallon, Damian Green, and Kelvin Hopkins. These were just some examples of the media coverage of political sex scandals in the UK. Many more cases have been reported or investigated by the media, some of which are still ongoing.

In some cases, the media faced legal challenges and threats from politicians and their supporters. The media has also been accused of invading privacy of politicians.

The Indian media faced a gag order from the Supreme Court of India after it leaked a sex tape of a politician Abhishek Manu Singhvi who claimed the video was forced and fabricated. Below are some famous sex scandals of Indian politicians;

Raghavji Lakhamsi Savala Sex scandal: The Madhya Pradesh minister allegedly sodomized a male domestic helper. The minister had to resign after a video surfaced.

Babulal Nagar sex scandal: A woman from Jaipur Rajasthan accused former minister Babulal Nagar of sexually exploiting her. The minister had to resign after these allegations.

Abhishek Manu Singhvi sex scandal: Spokesperson for Congress and Member of Indian Parliament had to resign after a video of his sex scandal surfaced.

Gopal Kanda case: Former Haryana minister Gopal Kanda was accused of sexual harassment by an air hostess Geetika Sharma.

Mahipal Maderna sex scandal: The Indian media extensively covered the Mahipal Maderna and Bhanwari Devi scandal. Apart from this, there were several other high-profile political sex scandals covered by Indian media.