The Intersection: Cancel Culture, Public Opinion, and the Battle for Reputation

Today, with cancel culture, headlines can hit harder than a courtroom verdict. 

Stories are breaking at lightning speed thanks to social media and our ever-connectedness, and that means reputations can unravel long before full facts come to light. For high-profile figures caught in the crosshairs of scandal, public perception can do as much damage as any legal judgment.

That’s the focus of The Intersection, where hosts Mike Sitrick and Sallie Hofmeister unpack how the media, the law, and public opinion collide. A recent episode brings in one of the most seasoned voices in media crisis management: Martin Singer, a Hollywood lawyer known for defending stars like Sylvester Stallone, Scarlett Johansson, and Johnny Depp. He discusses the rise of cancel culture, how narratives take shape, and what can be done when reputations are on the line.

So, how do you face the court of public opinion? Here’s Marty Singer’s thoughts.

The Media Has Changed—So Has the Risk

Singer points to a seismic shift in journalism that began with the #MeToo movement. While he affirms the value of holding abusers accountable, he also sees how this cultural reckoning changed the rules of engagement.

The movement brought long-overdue accountability to powerful institutions. It also ushered in a new media climate: one where the standards for what gets published and how began to shift. As Singer puts it, stories that once required a paper trail, like police reports, lawsuits, and multiple sources, can now go live based on a single anonymous or unverified claim.

The threshold for reputational damage has dropped. Even vague allegations or subjective complaints can derail careers, sometimes overnight.

Singer described representing a client who claimed they had simply had a bad date. There was no lawsuit, no criminal behaviour alleged—just a negative impression. And yet, the fallout was swift: his client didn’t work for two years.

This isn’t the exception; it’s becoming the norm. Singer notes that publications today are more likely to run with a story even if it’s flimsy, especially if it involves a high-profile target. In many cases, editors and reporters don’t wait for a response, or they bury it deep in the article.

And even if the legal bar for defamation remains high, that often doesn’t matter. The real damage happens in the first 24 hours after a headline breaks.

"It’s not about proving guilt anymore—it’s about surviving the allegation long enough to tell your side."

Singer warns that one’s reputation now hangs in a precarious balance. And for public figures, the media is often the judge, jury, and executioner.

Strategy Over Silence

A common misstep Singer sees? Saying nothing. The default “no comment” might feel safe, but in today’s environment, silence often reads as guilt. The first version of a story becomes the version that sticks, especially when social media takes hold. Waiting to respond—let alone correct—can cost clients everything.

Instead, Singer emphasizes moving fast, presenting facts, and shaping the narrative.

That could mean sending a hard-hitting legal letter packed with evidence, reaching out to general counsel or editors directly, or, in some cases, making that letter public to influence how the story is perceived. Anything to ensure the client’s voice is heard early.

But it’s not just about what you say. It’s about where and how you say it. 

If one outlet is clearly siding against your client, don’t waste time pleading for fairness. Go to a competing publication and offer a well-crafted exclusive. Singer has done this countless times—sometimes just to get a headline changed, or to move a client’s statement higher in the article. Even those small wins, he says, can shape how the story lands.

And behind every successful response is a coordinated team. Singer stresses the importance of alignment between legal and PR. 

All too often, publicists are hesitant to confront reporters or risk their standing with key outlets, especially if the client is one of many in their roster. But in a crisis, there’s no room for playing it safe.

“Your PR team can’t be double agents. You need people who will protect your client, not their media contacts.”

Singer’s approach is built on clarity, speed, and strategy. Sometimes, rather than killing a story, it’s about reshaping it just enough to preserve what matters most: the client’s reputation.

When the Truth Doesn’t Matter (and What to Do About It)

One of the biggest frustrations Singer outlines is that truth alone often isn’t enough to prevent damage. The accusation itself is often the story. That’s why much of his work focuses on prevention—intervening before a narrative snowballs.

But when a client is canceled?

This quiet strategy worked for clients like Louis C.K. and Johnny Depp, both of whom re-emerged after long public absences and careful legal and media planning.

Navigating the New Normal

The rules of media engagement are evolving. And anyone—celebrity or not—can be one story away from a full-blown crisis. But with the right strategy, smart communication, and a commitment to truth, reputations can be defended, and sometimes even rebuilt.

Every other week, Mike Sitrick and Sallie Hoffmeister of Sitrick & Company sit down with lawyers to discuss how to approach these moments and the strategies to face the court of public opinion. 

Listen to the full episode of The Intersection here: