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CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Ritual in journalism: shaping realities in the Claremont serial killings
Communication research and practice
2025
Appears in Open Access via Read & Publish Agreements
Abstract
This paper examines the role of ritual in journalism through the lens of the high-profile Claremont serial killings, one of Australia’s longest-running criminal investigations. Drawing from James Carey’s ritual model of communication and ethnomethodological analysis, the study explores how journalistic practices shape public memory, construct social realities, and influence narratives surrounding crime. By analysing news texts from The West Australian and ABC News Perth from 1996 and 1997, alongside interviews with journalists, this research highlights the media’s role in reinforcing cultural norms, victim hierarchies, and gendered discourse. The findings reveal how framing choices, linguistic patterns, and the repetition of symbolic narratives contribute to collective perceptions of crime and justice. Ultimately, this study underscores the ethical responsibilities of journalists in shaping crime discourse, advocating for more nuanced and equitable reporting.
Details
- Title
- Ritual in journalism: shaping realities in the Claremont serial killings
- Authors/Creators
- Mary-Anne Romano (Author) - Murdoch University, School of Media and Communication
- Publication Details
- Communication research and practice
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
- Number of pages
- 16
- Identifiers
- 991005796473507891
- Copyright
- © 2025 The Author(s).
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Media and Communication
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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