Media circus leaves town

Coen Lammers

The circus has just left town. Hollywood star Chris Pine’s court appearance in Ashburton District Court yesterday was the biggest media extravaganza this district is likely to see for years to come.

The appearance of a murder accused last year received significantly less attention from out-of-town journalists, while in comparison Mr Pine was only facing a drink-driving charge.

Even Judge Joanna Maze commented on the media interest when she denied a request for a photographer and camera in the courtroom.

The Ashburton media frenzy was a classic example of the modern celebrity culture we live in these days where the appearance of an actor who is still a fair bit from the Hollywood A-list, draws such a crowd in a small country town.

And it wasn’t just the media waiting for Mr Pine to show up. Cameras and reporters were outnumbered by fans and other interested locals lurking around the courthouse, hoping for a glimpse, an autograph or a ‘selfie’.

The standard comment by national media representatives this week was that this court case was the biggest thing ever to happen in Ashburton, which was ignorant and slightly patronising towards the amazing events and people the Guardian reports on daily.

The fact that certain newsrooms only show an interest in a minor celebrity while ignoring many of the genuine big stories in Mid Canterbury, says more about those media than Mid Canterbury.

Granted, the Guardian was represented at the court, as we do at every court session, but the real interest to the locals was the spectacle as much as the Hollywood star.

Watching him in the middle of the media/fan scrums, you had to feel a bit sorry for the actor, who has to endure this kind of attention every time he moves, or steps out of line.

Sadly, the celebrity obsession by the public, and therefore media, catapults these actors to fame and wealth, so you have to argue that they may have to put up with the flipside when they decide to drive after a few vodkas.

– Coen Lammers

Tuesday, March 18th, 2014

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