ABSTRACT
Cancel culture is an extreme form of character assassination in which efforts are made not only to criticize and stigmatize the target but at the same time to exclude them from public media arenas. Canceling is a rhetorical technique used by rightwing as well as leftwing groups. It does not always succeed, especially when targets can mobilize their own supporters to demonize the accusers in turn. Canceling can involve character work that suggests the target is too dangerous and threatening to be heard or has committed such a heinous act that they cannot be seriously heard as a strategic player. Cancel culture usually refers to social media activities in which audiences must be attracted or redirected in a war over a person’s (or organization’s) true character. This chapter engages in a comprehensive discussion of character assassination and cancel culture, explaining their implications for strategic communication, issues management, crisis communication, and reputation management. It advocates for a paradigmatic shift toward more culture-sensitive and humanistic perspectives of public relations.
