How ABC News has covered the $100 million dollar defamation case.
If you haven't been living under a rock lately then you are most likely aware of the current defamation case of Johnny Depp VS Amber Heard. Currently one of the biggest media dramas to be brought to social media, the case has developed media traction through a range of outlets and sources. The pair first blew the tabloids in 2014, however, this time it is drastically different… now divorced and in court over many serious domestic abuse allegations.
Defamation is “the wrong of injuring another’s reputation without good justification or reason”. In the US, defamation law is drastically different to Australia. Due to free expression and free press laws in place, it is highly unlikely a defamation case brought to court will ever be won by the plaintiff. In order to win a defamation case, the plaintiff must prove to the Judge that the defendant acted with ‘actual malice’ even if the allegation is false.
The Rolling Stone called it a “Fan Battle on Social media” whereas the ABC called it a “Trial by TikTok”. The present and overwhelming use of social media in the 21st century has brought an aspect to this case that would never have been seen in past generations.
ABC across the globe, particularly, in the US has used Twitter and TikTok media platforms to amplify the ongoing dispute between the two media stars.
The Relationship
Johnny Depp born June 9th 1963 is a well established American actor known particularly for his work in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise. Meeting Amber Heard, born April 22nd 1986, on the set of “The Rum Diary” in 2009, the pair hit it off straight away. In an interview with Vouge Heard said that "Working with Johnny was torture. It was better than I ever imagined, which is really saying something.". With existing partners the two actors began their relationship late 2011 and then 2 years later were rumoured to be engaged. After only being engaged for a year the pair held a private ceremony in 2015 and not even a year later Heard filed for divorce on domestic abuse claims. Obtaining a temporary restraining order, the divorce was finally settled in 2016 with a settlement of $7 million. Media organisations were quick to broadcast the turmoil of events as a result of their “intensely passionate” relationship.
ABC News first tweeted about the pair on May 26th, 2016 subsequently publishing an article that has now been made unavailable. Without the first-hand experience, it is unclear the context of which this article held but it is apparent it held further detail than the embedded tweet.
The next time we hear from either Depp or Heard in relation to their relationship is in December of 2018 when Heard wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post. Heard speaking about the treatment of women in domestic abuse situations. The op-ed received a particular scandal as it can be assumed the article was written about Depp, never named but highly suggested knowledge. This brought the beginning of the now current and withstanding court case. Firstly Depp sued Heard in 2019 for $50 million for defamation over the op-ed, Heard countersued in January 2021 for $100 million and now on April 11 2022, the $100 million defamation case began in Fairfax County Courthouse Virginia.
The long awaited beginning of the end.
Beginning in April this year Depp and Heard alongside teams of lawyers began the long awaited trial. Popular hashtags surfacing during this time on Twitter and TikTok include:
#JusticeforJohnnyDepp with over 11 billion views on TikTok
#IStandwithJohnnyDepp a popular hashtag on Twitter where audiences are calling out Heard for her “abusive nature”
#AmberHeard with over 9.4 billion TikTok views
#Rottenborn surrounding Depp’s lawyer who has been commended by Depp fans
The above graph demonstrates the number of Twitter searches #JusticeForJohnnyDepp (Blue) VS #AmberHeard (Red), has accumulated over the past 30 days, demonstrating the similarity of searches. These hashtags have generated a significant media audience who has been closely watching the case unfold. However, these hashtags can potentially withhold media bias and it is more informative to receive information and updates from credible news outlets and court journalists.
ABC News have captured the critical information and replayed it in TikTok videos for the younger audiences whereas writing status updates and informative news articles has been directed to the older age bracket. Broadcasting live tapings of the court session on Twitter and capturing important dates for audiences to watch out for.
In doing so ABC News has generated conversation between the fandoms weather that be positively or negatively but it can be seen within the many twitter threads.
With this defamation case being so highly watched by the media, ABC News across the globe has done a fantastic job in generating the important points of the case and making it easily accessible to the population. With both media stars so highly established within the industry it is no longer a private trial of two people, it is now a case involving the whole globe.
What can we learn from ABC News?
ABC News' use of TikTok and Twitter in covering this breaking news event has allowed audience members to receive information from a reliable source, without concerns of media bias. Avoiding un-reliable and fan based comments on a serious matter. As the case is ongoing and so heavily covered and watched by media, it is unreasonable to make an assumption on the expected outcome. Justification for either Depp or Heard's actions is unnecessary and the evidence will speak for itself, to follow the journey of Johnny Depp VS Amber Heard follow ABC News on Twitter and TikTok for informative and reliable information as it unfolds.
Comments