Restorative justice, media and public narratives

The media has always played a pivotal role in shaping public perception. Whether it’s through headlines, in-depth features, or quick social networks updates, journalism influences how we understand the world around us—including crime, punishment, and justice. When it comes to restorative justice (RJ), however, its role is both powerful and problematic.

Restorative justice is a model of justice that focuses not on punishment, but on healing, accountability, and the rebuilding of trust. It brings together victims, offenders, and community members to collectively address the harm caused by a crime and to find paths forward. Yet, despite its growing implementation and evidence-backed benefits, RJ often remains underrepresented—or misrepresented—in mainstream narratives.

At its core, the way media frames justice has deep implications for how societies respond to harm. Crime reporting tends to prioritize spectacle and sensationalism. Violent incidents, graphic details, and calls for harsh punishment dominate the headlines. These stories follow a predictable structure: a victim, a perpetrator, and a demand for retribution. It’s an approach that aligns naturally with the punitive logic of traditional justice systems and leaves little room for nuance.

What this framing does is reinforce a binary worldview: there are good people and bad people; justice is punishment; safety is incarceration. In doing so, it limits the imagination of the public, who might never hear about alternative approaches like RJ. The very idea that justice could mean dialogue, repair, and empathy runs counter to the narratives we consume daily.

Moreover, this framing affects victims as well. When the focus is only on punishment, victims are reduced to passive figures—individuals to be avenged, not to be heard or supported through healing. Restorative justice challenges that dynamic by placing the needs and voices of victims at the center. It asks: What do you need to heal? What would accountability look like for you? And it offers a process where those needs can be acknowledged and addressed directly.

But for the public to embrace that shift, they need to understand it. And this is where the media comes in again.

Narratives have power. If news outlets consistently reported on restorative practices—highlighting real stories where RJ processes have helped individuals and communities move forward—public understanding would grow. Journalists could explore how schools use RJ to reduce suspensions and foster inclusion. Or how youth justice systems in countries like New Zealand have adopted family group conferencing to involve whole communities in decision-making.

There are, of course, exceptions. Some media platforms and investigative outlets have featured RJ, often in long-form articles or documentaries. These pieces typically reveal how RJ helped someone find closure or accountability outside the courts. But these stories remain niche, and they rarely find space in the breaking-news cycle.

The challenges here aren’t just editorial. They are structural. Journalists often lack familiarity with RJ and may not recognize it as a justice model worth covering. Law enforcement and criminal justice institutions—primary sources for crime reporting—seldom mention restorative options. And perhaps most importantly, restorative processes often take place out of the public eye, in closed, confidential spaces, making them harder to narrate with traditional tools of journalism.

There’s also a cultural factor. In many societies, there’s still skepticism toward any model that appears “soft” on crime. Politicians and media commentators may frame RJ as leniency rather than as a rigorous, participatory process. Without counter-narratives, these misconceptions stick.

So what can be done?

First, there’s a need for better media education on RJ. Journalists should have access to resources, training, and sources that help them understand what RJ is and what it isn’t. This could include access to research, case studies, or networks of practitioners willing to explain and demystify the process.

Second, restorative practitioners and advocates need to proactively engage with the media. Rather than relying on being discovered, RJ professionals can offer stories, op-eds, and responses to ongoing justice debates. Media-savvy storytelling, adapted to the formats journalists use, can help insert RJ into the conversation.

Third, we must consider how digital media and new platforms can reshape the narrative. Podcasts, video explainers, and social media threads can spotlight RJ without depending on traditional gatekeepers. These formats allow more control over the story and can reach younger, more open-minded audiences.

Importantly, any media work on RJ should maintain its ethical integrity. Restorative processes are sensitive and personal. They must never be reduced to spectacles or stripped of their complexity for the sake of views. Responsible reporting should respect the confidentiality and dignity of all participants while illuminating the power of the process.

This is where Restorativ can play a role.

At Restorativ, we recognize that shifting public understanding is key to strengthening the impact of restorative justice. That’s why we not only develop digital tools for RJ practitioners, but also invest in education and communication. Our platform can help document best practices, offer guidance to journalists, and foster storytelling spaces that uplift real experiences. By acting as a bridge between practitioners and the broader public, we hope to help reframe how justice is imagined and pursued.

Furthermore, through our blog, short videos, and educational series, Restorativ contributes to a growing ecosystem of media that centers healing, dialogue, and accountability. We believe that by changing the narrative, we can change the system.

In a time when polarized debates about justice dominate the headlines, introducing stories of restorative justice is more than just informative—it’s transformative. The media can be a tool for division or a platform for empathy. With RJ in the picture, we choose the latter.