Media circus

A media circus is an event that occurs when an aspect of a popular news event recieves almost ludicrously high levels of media attention. The notion 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 fell down a well, the well became the site of a huge convocation of reporters and cameramen. Elián González'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.

Other important American events that descended into a media circus include:

• The trial of O. J. Simpson
• The Columbine massacre
• The Florida Recount of Election 2000
• The sex scandal of Congressman Gary Condit