Stories through the eyes of Social Media

Tuesday, 12 August 2014

Scarred for life or not?



Left: Oscar Pistorius; Right: Reeva Steenkamp
Source: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Oscar_Pistorius/Pistorius-refuses-to-take-responsibility-Nel-20140807


A Nightmare that never seems to end….
All hell breaks loose for the Paralympic blade sprinter Oscar Pistorius, who seemed to have it all from being a well-known South Africa’s best athlete; he was sponsored by different sponsors such as Nike etc., and most loved. He lived in a in a stunning 2, 4 million mansion in Pretoria, he had the expensive watches, cars and gear, to top it all of a beautiful model girlfriend (Reeva Steenkamp).
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Oscar_Pistorius/live

Oscar Pistorius in court.
Source:

 
Cupid shot the wrong arrow
A day of love Valentine’s Day last year turned into a day of tragedy when an accident happened at the couple’s mansion, in his defense and statement Oscar Pistorius claims that he thought Reeva was an intruder that’s why he fired the four shots through the bathroom door.
Oscar Pistorius refuses to take responsibility
 
The Buzz begins….
The media and Oscar Pistorius.
Source: Citizens alert/ Public interest
In no time the story was all over the internet and even social media platforms that’s how quick social media networks are in this day and age. The likes of twitter, Facebook, and YouTube were buzzing with the story. Late that afternoon (on the 14th February 2013) people already had different versions and angles of what happened on that tragic morning, not forgetting how the news and newspapers content has a way of setting an agenda on how they’d want us (the public)to view an issue. This was interesting because I was still confused and so eager to know more of what really happened on that morning, I was already interested in unpacking the story. The one question that kept ringing in my head was before he got out of bed why didn’t he check and call on his girlfriend if he thought there were intruders in the house? It is still perplexing to me till this day.  On Facebook I have come across a post written: Just maybe this was an accident and we should give him a break for he might have not known what he is doing and went blank in the duration……. Do you agree or disagree? Let’s talk tell me what are your views? ? http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Oscar_Pistorius/Pistorius-refuses-to-take-responsibility-Nel-20140807



Social media platforms.
Source: social media icons

 

The media sure played a huge role in getting the full story to the masses. How crazy did this case quickly turn into a circus, like when the prosecutor was trying to get answers from Oscar Pistorius and he went in circles, how annoyed Gerrie Nel got during that process? Many pages on the internet were created such as the Oscar Pistorius jokes on Google, #OscarPistoriustrial on twitter and uploaded videos on YouTube etc.


 

 
It seemed like a fairy-tale that turned into a horror film…..
Left: Reeva Steenkamp and Right: Oscar Pistorius
Source: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/oscar-pistorius-snowball-lies-list-which-devastates-runners-story-1460192 

14 comments:

  1. Ever since the beginning of this trial, I've always maintained that the perceptions that the general public has on either Oscar or the case itself was and is still being shaped and conditioned by the media. This to me has been a clear illustration of both negative and positive PR at play.

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    1. True hey Vongani, the media has shaped how the public should think of the whole trial. How so Vongani? regarding your last sentence?

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  2. I personally think he killed Reeva with a purpose but the fact that he have to face the consequences made him lie about the whole intruder story. Well it does not make sense waking up and take an action without asking the next person whether they can feel that the night is different from the other.

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    1. So basically he was a coward hey Tsakani? He should have man up and taken blame for what he intended on doing.

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  3. I feel some what unclear towards Oscar's Pistorius court case for killing girlfriend Reeva, one side tells me he is not guilty as he supposedly feels uncomfortable or vulnerable without his stumps and needs a weapon for defending himself as he cannot run to avoid confrontation, however the other side tells me he is guiilty for pre-meditated murder, where by he planned the scenario and actions that took place on that dreadful night, then to arrange a P.R team to handle the situation after the dust had settled just made him look more GUILTY in my opinion.

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    1. Aren't we all Siya and we may never really know since Reeva is no more... Clearly his PR team didn't do such a good job hey, all that I can say is what a waste of more money, he sure dug up an even deeper whole for himself.

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  4. I've always said his and I still repeat, I don't believe his whole story that he thought Reeva was an intruder. There's no such thing! If that was the case then he would've checked if his "beloved girlfriend" was alright before firing four shorts through the bathroom door. And again, the fact that he fired FOR shorts says that he really was intending to kill the person. It is really inexcusable, he must just be sentenced. The case has gone on for long enough now...

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    1. It is unbelievable hey, and the thought that one fires four shots, without even checking or making sure who exactly you firing to? I agree his intention was to kill for sure, no doubt about that. I mean who would survive from the sort of gun he was using though? It sure has, time to put the verdict and life goes on.

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    2. Another thing, the gun. How does he keep a gun that has been banished in the country??? This man is malicious and deserves to be put away for a very long time.

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    3. Beats me hey, clearly shows that celebs think they can get away with almost anything yeah. I hope they teach him a lesson he will never forget.

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  5. Social media played a huge role in Oscar's trial... the story went viral within 3 hours, this shows how effective it is. And again i would agree with Holly right there, Oscar intended to kill Reeva... he composed this music for himself, so he must dance for it.

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  6. Why does he keep a gun with him to protect himself when he has a lot of securities guys looking after him and not forgetting to mention cameras? How does he manage to survive with lies? My heart pounds for Reeva's innocent soul.

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    1. What about his dogs? He is surviving because they letting him, though the law has to let him say his side of the story... It sure is sad hey, may her soul find peace.

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