Breaking the spiral of silence: News and social media dynamics on sexual abuse scandal in the Japanese entertainment industry.

ABSTRACT: Highlighting minorities and crime survivors through public discourse is essential for their support and protection. However, advocating for minorities is challenging due to the fear of potential isolation from one's social circles. This reluctance contributes to the societal phenomenon known as the "spiral of silence," significantly impeding efforts to support socially vulnerable individuals. This study centers on a pivotal instance where the silence surrounding sexual abuse in the Japanese entertainment industry was disrupted, in which the late company president had allegedly abused idol trainees of the company for decades. Utilizing extensive data from news media and social media, the study probes the engagement dynamics of public attention to this scandal. Results indicate that users on

SUBMITTER: Tanihara T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11210866 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature