Discuss a company's public statement.
When Bank of America was criticized for using "robo-signers" (employees who signed hundreds of foreclosure documents a day without reading them), the company issued this statement:
Bank of America has extended our review of foreclosure documents to all fi fty states. We will stop foreclosure sales until our assessment has been satisfactorily completed. Our ongoing assessment shows the basis for our past foreclosure decisions is accurate. We continue to serve the interests of our customers, investors and communities. Providing solutions for distressed homeowners remains our primary focus.13
Critics said that robo-signers-without properly reviewing documents-determined whether people would lose their homes. Critics also said this was unfair and may have forced some people to leave their homes unnecessarily. In small groups, identify and analyze the audience for the company's statement, which was published on the Bank of America website. Who are the company's primary and secondary audiences for the statement? How appropriate is the wording, considering the situation?