The study “Ritual in journalism: shaping realities in the Claremont serial killings” by Mary-Anne Romano from Murdoch University examined the role of ritual in journalism through the case of the high-profile Claremont serial killings, one of Australia’s most notorious and long-running criminal cases.
For a total of 20 years, the case was in the news, starting from the disappearance of an 18-year old woman from Perth/Boorloo suburb on Australia Day 1996. It ended in the arrest of Bradley Robert Edwards, then aged 56 years for several murders and sexual assaults.
He pleaded not guilty to the murder charges, but admitted to five sexual assault offences. He was found guilty of the murders of Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon, but was found not guilty of the murder of Sarah Spiers, whose remains have not been located as of 2025.
The ritualistic nature of journalism, as per the ritual model by James Carey (1989), is evident in the Claremont case. Here, the journalistic framing significantly impacted the public perception. Headlines and articles focused on the victims’ behaviours, shifting the focus from the perpetrator. They reinforced victim-blaming tendencies.
Biases in news values were demonstrated in the portrayal of Sarah Spiers, Jane Rimmer, and Ciara Glennon. The news media focused on their personal lives, thus subtly implying that their actions contributed to their victimization. In addition, Ciara Glennon, a young professional whose family was engaged in the media, received a dominant presence in the coverage.
In conclusion, the paper highlighted journalism’s function beyond reporting – in shaping the collective memory and social perceptions. The power of journalism was evident in the Claremont case, calling for more ethical and nuanced reporting. Thus, journalism, due to its role in shaping the public consciousness, carries with it significant ethical responsibilities.
The article“Ritual in journalism: shaping realities in the Claremont serial killings” by Mary-Anne Romano is in Communication Research and Practice. (open access).
Picture: A person laying on the ground under a street light by Lacie Cueto.
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