“Sluts and nuts”: influences on the symbolic annihilation of women sources in sexual assault allegation news coverage

Abstract

ABSTRACT Modern journalism practices rely heavily on the use of sources, yet white, male officials have dominated as sources in print, television, and online media. Sources are given the power to shape public opinion by providing their version of facts and defining the framing of events. Symbolic annihilation theory suggests the media largely ignores women or portrays them in stereotypical roles. Symbolic annihilation is particularly important in media representations of sexual misconduct charges where gendered dynamics are critical to framing. This study extends symbolic annihilation by exploring the journalistic sourcing practices post-#MeToo. Through a content analysis of news coverage of sexual assault allegations against US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the study provides a framework by which to explore how women appear in news coverage and influences over journalists’ decisions leading to reifying hegemonic sourcing.