Balancing Transparency and Privacy in a University Sexual Misconduct Case

A Legal Public Relations Case Study

Bibliographic Data

ID22191493
AuthorsChelsea L Woods (0000-0003-2779-7024, Virginia Tech, corresponding author), Shari R Veil (University of Kentucky), Shari Veil (University of Kentucky)
Year2020
Volume3
Issue1
Pages103-136
Publication date2020-03-09
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2576-0017 • E-ISSN: 2576-0025
PublisherTechnoFit Academic Publishers LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.30658/jicrcr.3.1.5
OpenAlexW3011927776
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited36

In 2016, the University of Kentucky became embroiled in an open records debate with its student newspaper, The Kentucky Kernel. Following a professor’s resignation amid a sexual misconduct investigation, the Kernel asked for records pertaining to the case. The University refused, claiming the information would violate survivors’ privacy. The decision sparked public backlash, forcing the University to combat accusations that it was prioritizing reputation over student safety. This case study provides insight into the crisis management process by exploring how key actors in the case made decisions. Drawing from theoretical perspectives including stakeholder theory and the ethics of care and justice, this study explores the complexities of addressing incongruent stakeholder perspectives and balancing stakeholder interests, along with offering implications for public relations practitioners

Misconduct · Political science · Public relations · Reputation · Sociology · Stakeholder · Communication in Education and Healthcare · Law · Media Studies and Communication · Public Relations and Crisis Communication

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