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60 Minutes: Sept 2

I am publishing this 60 Minutes synopsis with a great deal of cynicism....

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I am publishing this 60 Minutes synopsis with a great deal of cynicism….

The events of this week involving Charlotte Dawson reached a point nobody should have been subjected to. Everybody is entitled to respect online, and everybody is entitled to opinion online. Balancing these remains a challenge and an on-going process for publishers, whether as individuals on Twitter and Facebook or in wider forums.

I concur that we should behave online as we do in public (it’s why my name is attached to my opinions), but some of the statements to curb online debate are alarmist. Some of the behaviour has been unhelpful.

I also have considerable scepticism about a person asking for privacy and then giving an interview to a broadcaster, preceded by some of the sweeping statements in the following synopsis.

Time and place, people. I believe it’s too soon to put perspective on this. Could this also fuel current flames rather than offer a discussion on a serious topic?

As this has now gravitated from person life to television content, considered and respectful feedback is welcome below…..


Charlotte’s Hell
On the internet, they’re known as trolls. But let’s name them for what they really are – bullies, plain and simple. These cowards lurk in the shadows of the online world, using false names to spread their messages of hate. Their attacks can be vicious, intensely personal and, with the growth of social media like Twitter and Facebook, dangerous as well. Just days ago, television celebrity Charlotte Dawson was pushed to the very brink by these creeps. She was still shaken when Tara Brown spoke to her but she somehow found the strength to share her story. Her hope is that by speaking out, she can save someone else from the Hell that she only just survived.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producers: Stephen Taylor, Hannah Boocock

DIY Mums
They’re the newest and most controversial operators on the fertility scene. Private sperm donation websites operate like online dating services, matching up would-be mums with donor dads, for free. Unlike traditional sperm banks, the woman actually gets to meet the potential dad. And he’s encouraged to become involved in his new baby’s life. This is a do-it-yourself method of getting pregnant so it’s light on romance and there are possible health risks. But, as Allison Langdon discovered, it’s also produced lots of little love stories and some very modern families for the mums brave enough to try.
Reporter: Allison Langdon
Producer: Jo Townsend

Licence to Thrill
His name is Bond. James Bond. And he has to be the coolest chap on the planet. He’s triumphed over scores of unforgettable villains, bedded hundreds of beautiful women and saved the world over and over again. Fifty years have passed since Sean Connery first shrugged on a dinner jacket and ordered his martini shaken, not stirred. And now we’re gearing up for movie number 23. “Skyfall” stars the famously muscle-bound Daniel Craig. And no doubt, it will be another blockbuster for a franchise that’s become one of the most successful in movie history.
Reporter: Charles Wooley
Producers: Danny Keens, Sandra Cleary

The Great Escape
On Sunday night you will witness one of the most extraordinary acts of survival you’ll ever see. Ken Peters was performing in a show at Sea World in San Diego when a killer whale suddenly turned on him. For the next ten minutes, Ken was locked in a life-and-death struggle with the three-tonne predator. It’s incredible that he kept his composure and made it out of that tank alive. Others haven’t been so lucky.
Reporter: Michael Usher
Producer: Stephen Rice

7:30pm Sunday on Nine.

18 Responses

  1. I read a NZ press piece (ref. SMH) published a few months ago about Charlotte Tweeting to someone a few months ago: “”Somebody please kill ‘Brian boy’ [sic] … Please please please.” She was referring to Bryan Grey-Yambao, a Filipino fashion blogger (pseudonym: Bryanboy), who was in town for Fashion Week.”

    In the same online session she insulted a range of other bloggers. Bryan let her know he was really unhappy and she “laughed it off”.

    Various media persona have jumped on the bandwagon and published various how-to tips and so forth in the past few days. My issue with most of that is simply that you can’t change the behaviour of others, only yourself. Yet these media people don’t want to accept that sage advice; they prefer to cast Dawson as a victim who shouldn’t need to do anything at all. I disagree. As a woman I regret that all those journos (or entertainment writers) are women. Women should enable strength in others, not the victim syndrome. Just to be clear, I deplore troll behaviour..

    The Great Escape is indeed a testament to composure and knowing instinctively that you won’t calm an animal down by freaking out. Much admiration for Ken Peters. With a story twist he could be a ‘whale whisperer’.

  2. It sounds like another attempt to curb freedom of speech, especially the Finkelstein Report’s recommendation that a new media super regulator be appointed to clamp down on blogs and social media. I can see the debate in parliament now. If anybody dares speak out against the proposal for a government appointed media regulator we’ll have Charlotte’s story being dredged up.

    I’ve been the victim of Internet trolls myself. At the first sign of negative comments I simply stop visiting the site and go back after a week or so when people have moved on. And you never respond to criticism. Rule number one – do not feed the trolls.

  3. I’m overseas at the moment and this story made the news on CNN Europe and showed footage of her appearance on Breakfast. They did an extended story on trolls and how other celebrities have been affected by trolling.

  4. According to the SMH today, she left the Emergency Psychiatric Care Unit and did the interview with her publicist. Then was readmitted after the interview.

    In these days of social media celebrities managed by PR companies how can you really know exactly what is going on?

    I for one will be paying no attention to any of it.

  5. “BTW is anyone else annoyed by the infantile and inflammatory writing style of the [commercial network news & current affairs] press releases?”

    Yes, but not much as I rarely read them (just looked at the above one after reading your comment).

  6. I think you’re right to be a little dubious about the whole affair. Hard to judge her motives – (especially for me, as I have no idea who she is!) but even if she’s doing this for personal gain it still brings the problem of cyber-bullying into the public eye.
    BTW is anyone else annoyed by the infantile and inflammatory writing style of the 60mins press releases?

  7. I’m sorry, but I have read some of the things Ms Dawson has tweeted herself…she’s no innocent victim I’m afraid….

    Hmmmmm is she gonna mention she’s got a book coming out…I won’t be watching 60 minutes. Guess I’m in the cynicism corner too.

  8. Kylie, the interview was done after her hospitalisation. I have to say I share the cynicism and I don’t believe it is necessarily in Charlotte’s best interest in the long run. I won’t be watching as it smacks of exploitation – whether of Charlotte, the viewer or both…………..

  9. I get that she’s an ambassador for an anti bullying foundation and obviously wants to draw attention to the cause, but so soon? I guess you gotta hit while the topic’s hot these days…but my cynicism radar is spinning out of control. I half expect Stephen Fry’s Charles Prentiss from Absolute Power to poke his head round the door during the interview.

  10. I also find it odd she is doing an interview so soon.

    This troll thing against her has been happening for a week or so – perhaps the interview was done earlier in the week after she ‘outed’ the Monash Uni employee? She was on Sunrise and The Project talking about cyber-bullying this week so that’s what has me thinking perhaps the interview was done before this incident yesterday – maybe 60 Mins are milking it and making people think the interview occurred after?

  11. Squareyes, I would hope that if there’s money changing hands it’s donated to a chrity such as Headspace that deals with mental illness and issues of bullying and abuse. This is a show on a commercial network so they undoubtedly paid her.

  12. I find it odd that she’s already doing an interview. If she was so traumatised by what happened that she was hospitalised less than 48 hours ago, I’m not sure an interview is the best way forward – and to be honest it makes me very cynical about her motivations.

  13. I guess it is best to watch the show ( just what ch9 want) and comment with some perspective. I hope Media Watch puts this under the microscope. Initial perception is not good……but are we all being played

  15. There is no excuse for bullying of any type, but if people want to give constant details of their personal lives on twitter and Facebook and invite “friends or followers” they don’t know into their lives one needs to expect this comes at a price.

  17. My heart goes out to Charlotte Dawson. The vile things that were tweeted to her (and some of here followers) were beyond vile.
    Cyber bullying is an issue that needs to be discussed. I don’t care whether it’s an adult celebrity or a school kid – nobody deserves to be relentlessly trashed or threatened on social media (or anywhere else).
    I know that with all the media coverage and conversations I’ve had over the last few days surrounding this incident, it has made me really stop and think about what I write and how it might effect the person reading it before I hit ‘submit’ anywhere on the internet.
    Good on people like Charlotte for speaking out about the issue.

  18. I don’t think I have a problem with Charlotte talking about this. When there is an issue you are passionate about, you will take any opportunity to discuss it.
    I would hope there is no money changing hands though.

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