Communication theoretical implications of the Ray Rice controversy

• Main Author: Payal Cascio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2016-12-01
• Series: Cogent Arts & Humanities
• Subjects: social media; organizational policy change; agenda setting theory; diffusion theory; dependency theory; uses and gratification theory
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2016.1194247
• ISSN: 2331-1983

The Ray Rice Controversy is a condemnatory case that prompted immediate action on the part of the NFL (National Football League) to execute organizational level changes in regard to their domestic abuse policy that applied not only to their players, but all employees that are a part of this organization. This paper attempts to research the events and the news coverage by the media that affected the proceedings of this case and its role in raising awareness toward the prevalence of domestic violence among the players of the NFL and instigating major policy changes at the organizational level of the NFL. This study examines the theoretical implications of communication theories and their protagonist role in bringing about communal and regulatory changes.