Reason the world is obsessed with Depp’s defamation trial

Australians have been obsessed with the messy Johnny Depp - Amber Heard court case. But it highlights a big issue.

Every since the Johnny Depp’s defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard started, it’s almost impossible to go on the internet without seeing clips, memes and social commentary. But why are we so obsessed?

Amber Heard and Johnny Depp on the red carpet shortly after they were married in 2015. Picture: Ian Gavan/Getty Images.

When Heard first went public with her claims against Depp, the backlash was almost immediate and it seemed that Depp was cancelled by the public before a trial even happened.

Since then, it became clear that the situation was for more complex and toxic than anyone had guessed. Now, everyone and their dog seems to have an opinion — but should we?

We asked our Gen Z newsChat panellists —news.com.au’s project with the Judith Nielson Institute — for their take on the trial of public opinion.

“Apparently this whole case is live online every day. That’s crazy. Even my little sister who’s 10 years younger than me has heard about this — but only through the memes.”

- Amaani

“It’s interesting how widespread it’s become, especially through social media. I was on YouTube last night and there was an unofficial livestream of the court case that had 300k people watching.”

- Jasper

Just one example of the internet making light of the defamation trial. Picture: YouTube / Andrew Pandrew

“I think it’s really sad this has become something that every person believes they should have a say in. I don’t believe public and media should be involved as it has.”
- Rachael

“While I’m sympathetic to what Depp and Heard are going through, they could have requested this to be a private hearing. I think there’s a strategic thing involved for both of them choosing to pursue the defamation case instead of reaching an agreement behind closed doors.”

- Amaani

“Defamation trials are messy, gross, and painful for everybody involved. I’ve been following this Johnny Depp and Amber Heard situation for years now.

“I do support Johnny Depp but I do not support the way that social media is handling the situation”.
- Nich

“I think this case is a big ‘he said, she said’. I do feel it was unfair for the media to label him guilty until proven innocent”.
- Eelemarni

'It’s really sad this has become something that every person believes they should have a say in.' Picture: Jonathan Ernst/Pool/AFP.

“People love storylines, we want a hero and we want a villain and to most people that hero is Depp and that villain is Heard.

One of the particularly gross ways I’ve seen Heard vilified are people using this case to push their agenda on the #MeToo movement being a ‘male hate group’ — which would be comical if it wasn’t actually some peoples opinions. Really messed up.”

- Jasper

“I think everyone forgets that this is about abuse, irrelevant of gender, no person should experience the abuse that has been talked about in this trial. I have never liked the rhetoric of good and bad of these things either.”

- Rachael

“There’s a more difficult climate for men and other masc people to make allegations of domestic abuse, especially when it’s physical.

“The high profile nature does make a difference, as Jasper and Rachael have pointed out, and it is distressing to see how one-sided a lot of the content surrounding it has been.

“I do have a bias as a man who has experienced spousal abuse, but it upsets me to hear Depp talking about his alleged abuse.”

- Angus

'People love storylines, we want a hero and we want a villain.' Picture: Jonathan Ernst/Pool/AFP.

'[It’s a] more difficult climate for men and other masc people to make allegations of domestic abuse'. Picture: Jonathan Ernst/Pool/AFP.

“So many people have made memes of a traumatic time of his life, and we’re getting popcorn bits of all of this. It turned into such a weird popularity trial too, especially on TikTok.”

- Nich

“A lot of the memes I’ve seen have been laughing with Depp at the expense of Heard’s legal team, but I think it’s still icky that people find humour in another person’s trauma. I tear up listening to some of the recordings. It’s hard to believe that folks are making light of it.

“While this is a defamation case not an abuse one, I hope it sets a precedent for more men and masc people to speak up about their experiences with abuse. I know first-hand how hard it is to begin that conversation.”

- Angus

Aged 18 and 24 and want to join the conversation?

Want to share your opinions on being a Gen Z person in the modern world? If you’re between 18 and 24, get in touch with me at [e-mail].