Reality contestants targetted by online campaign
As a MasterChef contestant finds herself the target of online toxic comments, where do you draw the line between fan emotion and the lines of decency?
- Published by David Knox
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- Filed under News
MasterChef contestant Joanne Zalm is the latest contestant in the TEN series to find herself in the press, as an apparent target of vitriolic viewers who are unleashing their anger online.
Such attention comes with being in the spotlight of television’s most resonant show.
Zalm is one of the contestants who has attracted negative comment from some online readers. One Facebook page against her has 915 members. The newspaper reports some online comments have included threats of violence.
TEN says it has recently taken a tougher stance against absive quotes on its own forums.
“In environments where we have control, bad behaviour and toxic commentary, not in keeping with the positive spirit of MasterChef, is not tolerated,” a spokesperson said.
“We encourage debate, however all non-constructive personal abuse are removed and repeat offenders banned.”
Jonathan Daddia has also attracted negative comment. He is known as The Terminator for his ability to survive challenges, and seen as highly strategic.
Managing passion is a delicate balancing act for networks.
In drama there is nothing wrong with booing the villain, so long as it is the character not the actor who is the target.
In reality television the lines blur a lot more. There can still be villainous characters, and even some that are packaged that way by the network (“Johnny Rotten” Big Brother 2001 anyone?).
Even for a show as good-natured as MasterChef the audience must be entitled to choose its heroes and villains, be they judges or contestants, and be allowed to express that online. After all, the storytelling encourages us to bond with our favourites.
Contestants entering a show of this magnitude must be prepared to have their lives and identities debated.
But there are limits of decency too. Toxic comments, encouraging violence, breaches of privacy are taking things too far. So too is such anger against minors. It’s one of the reasons why all reality shows should be casting 18 years and over. Internet anonymity is no license to cross the lines of decency an robust debate even on this site is never taken lightly.
It’s clear that 2009’s dream run of good press for MasterChef Australia was a flash in the pan.
Source: Daily Telegraph
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- Tagged with Big Brother, Masterchef
28 Responses
Not sure if its been said but I think it started with MC fans who dislike Joanne then it snow balled into “death threats” with ppl not even fans of the show putting their ugly comments on to the site.
I hope Marion wins she has the creativity attitude and skills for it.
whasn;t there an article on this blog a while back about how in reality TV the producers always make certain contestants into “villains” in a battle with the “goodies”? i watched joanne last night cooking with adam and she seemed really nice and warm and adam was really happy to be working with her it would appear.
I quite like Jo. Callum is growing on me and Marion is just very good. Clare has no personality and she seems to hide behind everyone else, Love the show.