The Tonya Harding controversy: An analysis of image restoration strategies

This essay critically analyzes Tonya Harding's defense of her image in Eye‐to‐Eye with Connie Chung, applying the theory of image restoration discourse (Benoit, 1994). The principle strategies employed on her behalf are bolstering, denial, and attacking her accuser (defeasibility plays a relatively minor role). While these strategies are generally appropriate, they were not developed very effectively in this instance. The discourse portrayed Harding in a fashion that was inconsistent with the audience's probable impression of her. Her lie about when she first learned of the attack severely undermined her credibility, and the discourse did not remedy this obstacle. Several others contradicted her assertions, and she did not challenge apparently incriminating evidence. Accordingly, we evaluate this as ineffective, and public opinion polls confirm our judgment. Finally, we discuss implications of our analysis.

Key concepts:

• Tonya Harding
• Eye‐To Eye with Connie Chung
• Nancy Kerrigan
• image restoration
• Olympic skaters