In 2017, powerful Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was exposed as having committed
countless acts of sexual violation. Following this, #MeToo gained a new visibility. PR was
used by Weinstein to defend himself and by victim/survivors to speak out. This study
examines how perpetrators and victim/survivors use PR to legitimise or delegitimise
accounts of sexual violation, and how this discourse is mediated through the press. Critical
discourse analysis is used to examine discourses emerging ...
In 2017, powerful Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was exposed as having committed
countless acts of sexual violation. Following this, #MeToo gained a new visibility. PR was
used by Weinstein to defend himself and by victim/survivors to speak out. This study
examines how perpetrators and victim/survivors use PR to legitimise or delegitimise
accounts of sexual violation, and how this discourse is mediated through the press. Critical
discourse analysis is used to examine discourses emerging from Harvey Weinstein, Rose
McGowan and Ashley Judd, exploring how the Guardian mediates these discourses. Analysis
reveals that Weinstein’s discourse relied on reinforcing rape myths, himpathy and gendered
power relations. McGowan and Judd challenged systemised sexual violation and promoted
collective activism. #MeToo’s increasing visibility impacted reporting, as articles promoted
the need for a cultural shift. The study concludes that PR can reinforce or challenge
dominant discourses surrounding sexual violation, therefore facilitating or disrupting the
culture of complicity.
+