Media, Justice and Rhetoric: The Case of Christian Ranucci

This article examines the media coverage of the Christian Ranucci case (1974–1976) as an emblematic example of how journalistic discourse can shape judicial outcomes in France. Drawing on Lloyd Bitzer’s theory of the “rhetorical situation” and Chaim Perelman’s concept of the “universal audience,” the study highlights the ways in which the media constructed a climate of fear and vengeance that undermined judicial impartiality. Particular attention is given to the rhetorical mechanisms which transformed the trial into a media spectacle. The analysis demonstrates that while media reporting aims at transparency and public education, its sensationalism and urgency often collide with the rationality of legal proceedings.