In the first case study the Menendez trial is presented as an example, sons Erik and Lyle were charged with the murder of their wealthy parents. While observing the news media it was noted that they would be often called “boys” and most of the headlines were “Menendez Boys” even though they were 23 and 25 years old. From 115 articles written about them more than half stated them as boys or brothers but never men. Now the media could have been giving them an extended privileged because they came from a wealthy family but they were also creating a false reality for the audience. To make the case study more accurate they observed another trial going on at the same time of the Menendez brothers. Damian Williams was being charged for aggravated assault of another man but not murder. Although he was only 19, Damian was never referred to as a boy or young adult instead a man. The result of his trail was shocking since the charges he was faced with ended up bring a lot higher consequences than usually seen for assault charges (Baldwin, 2001). These two trials were not the only ones investigated and all of the case studies that were proved the same results. This goes to show how the representation the media, and the choice of language they use can have an effect on the results of court or trials. The conclusion of the study suggested that, …show more content…
As we weep for what we have lost, and as we grieve for family and friends, and we confront the challenge that is before us, I want us to remember who we are. We are Queenslanders; we're the people that they breed tough north of the border. We're the ones that they knock down and we get up again. I said earlier this week that this weather may break our hearts and it is doing that but it will not break our will and in the coming weeks and in the coming months we are going to prove that beyond any doubt. Together, we can pull through this and that's what I'm determined to do and with your help, we can achieve that. Thank you” (2011b: para 6).
This emotional ending was iconic and when scholars evaluated the speech they said it was more than that it was the presence of restorative rhetoric (Williamson, 2012). As stated by Rosemary Williamson restorative rhetoric has four main purposes which are to “Restore faith in a system by reconnecting with a core set of values and beliefs; facilitate healing of those directly affected by the crisis and wider audiences who serve as witnesses to the destruction; create a sense of security during the resolution of the crisis; and establish a vision for the future”. The conclusion of the study was that many governments resort to restorative rhetoric in order to reassure their citizens in time of doubt and struggle (Williamson, 2012).
Theory