ABSTRACT
This chapter elaborates on the socio-political significance of the media representations. It describes the public sphere debates that emerged as a direct result of the media exposure of the case and relate this to Judge Zobel's reduction of the charges and sentence - these being the events that became pivotal points in the 'shaken baby' media spectacle. The chapter suggests that the subject's guilt of innocence is an inconsequential aside to a mechanism of regulation and sacrifice. It outlines the events of the Woodward case and discusses them in relation to the discourse that dominated media coverage and contributed to the public understanding of the case. Mary Romero suggests that the unequal economy is supported by a set of cultural values that debases the idealized notion of social equality. The chapter considers the socio-historical context in which the case unfolded and attempt to draw comparisons with other notable media stories.
