Sweet Bobby: Introducing...Who Trolled Amber?

Host: Alexei Mostros
Producer: Xavier Greenwood
Release Date: February 27, 2024
Series: Sweet Bobby by Tortoise Media

Overview

In the premiere episode of "Introducing...Who Trolled Amber?" from Tortoise Media's award-winning investigative series Sweet Bobby, host Alexei Mostros delves into the tumultuous public relations battle that unfolded during the high-stakes legal confrontations between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. This episode explores the possibility of a sophisticated online trolling campaign targeting Amber Heard, questioning who might be behind such coordinated attacks and what implications this has for public perception and justice.

Key Figures and Their Roles

• Alexei Mostros: Host and investigative journalist leading the exploration into the Depp-Heard saga.
• Daniel Mackey: Former Canadian government agent specializing in open-source intelligence, now a private investigator assisting Mostros.
• Jennifer Robinson: Barrister representing Amber Heard, with a distinguished background including representing Julian Assange and the UN.
• Unnamed Legal Analysts: Offer insights into the legal strategies and public narratives during the trials.
• Ron Schnell: A computer expert specializing in social media forensics, whose testimony raises questions about possible bot activities.

Background of the Depp-Heard Legal Battles

The episode begins with a recount of Johnny Depp's defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard, initiated due to an op-ed Heard published in the Washington Post. This lawsuit marked a significant moment in celebrity legal disputes, drawing massive media attention akin to the infamous O.J. Simpson trial.

• Johnny Depp's Claims: Depp alleges that Heard's op-ed damaged his reputation, costing him substantial financial and professional losses, including his role in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise.

  "Depp sues her anyway, claiming that anyone who reads the piece will know that it refers to him." [23:49]

• Amber Heard's Defamation Counterclaims: Heard counter-sues, asserting that Depp and his legal team orchestrated a disinformation campaign against her, utilizing bots and trolls to tarnish her image.

Escalation of Online Attacks

Daniel Mackey observes a significant increase in anti-Amber Heard content on social media platforms, sparking suspicions of a coordinated effort rather than organic public sentiment.

• Daniel's Discovery:

  "I would bet you a million dollars. There is no fucking way that that was all organic." [09:04]

• Patterns Identified:

  • Disproportionate number of negative tweets using hashtags like #AmberHeardisAbuser.
  • Accounts exhibiting automated behavior with minimal personal activity, suggesting bot involvement.
  • Repetitive and orchestrated messaging aimed at discrediting Heard.

• Notable Statistics:

  • 800,000+ tweets with #AmberHeardisAbuser versus 15,000 with #JohnnyDeppisAbuser.
  • 15.7 billion views on TikTok for #JusticeForJohnnyDepp during the trial.

Legal Proceedings and Their Impact

Jennifer Robinson provides an insider's perspective on the courtroom dynamics and the intense scrutiny Heard faced both legally and publicly.

• Challenges Faced by Heard:

  • Reluctance to publicly relive traumatic experiences.

  • Aggressive cross-examination tactics reminiscent of outdated stereotypes about domestic violence.

    "If it was true, why didn't she go to the police?" [18:28]

• UK vs. US Trials:

  • In the UK, the trial concluded with a judgment favoring Heard, labeling Depp as the abuser.
  • The US trial, however, resulted in a reversal, awarding Depp $10 million in damages, raising questions about the influence of public opinion and online campaigns.

Investigation into the Online Campaign

Mostros collaborates with Daniel Mackey and Jennifer Robinson to uncover the extent and origins of the online harassment targeting Heard.

• Jennifer Robinson's Observations:

  "It looked orchestrated. And when I say orchestrated, it was just one tweet would happen and then hundreds or thousands of tweets would come saying the same thing with the same hashtags..." [19:09]

• Legal Obstacles:

  • Amber's initial claims regarding bot usage were dismissed in court due to insufficient evidence.
  • Ron Schnell, a social media forensics expert, provided limited testimony focusing on specific interactions, leaving broader questions unanswered.

• Potential Leads:

  • Ron Schnell's Data: Despite the dismissal, Schnell retains a comprehensive database of anti-Heard tweets, which Mostros sees as a critical lead for deeper investigation.

    "Within that data might be patterns, networks, links that reveal which accounts were working together." [35:26]

Implications Beyond Celebrity Cases

The episode raises concerns about the broader implications of such coordinated online campaigns:

• Manipulation of Public Perception: If public opinions can be swayed through orchestrated online trolling, this tactic could be exploited in political arenas, business reputations, and even conflicts like the war in Ukraine.

  "If your opinions on Amber Heard can be artificially swayed, then why not your opinions about a politician, a business, or even a war?" [10:00]

• Threats to Justice: The potential for online harassment to influence jury decisions, especially in non-sequestered trials, undermines the integrity of the judicial process.

  "And the jury is not immune to that. And you could say, well, she would say that, wouldn't she?" [28:44]

Conclusion and Forward Look

As the episode concludes, Alexei Mostros emphasizes the importance of uncovering the truth behind the online assaults on Amber Heard. He hints at the forthcoming deep dive into Ron Schnell's data and other investigative avenues in future episodes.

"If I can pick up where Ron left off, I might be able to learn about what happened to Amber Heard, who might have been responsible, and the ways we were all being manipulated online." [35:43]

"Introducing...Who Trolled Amber?" sets the stage for a compelling investigation into the intersection of celebrity, law, and digital warfare, questioning the authenticity of online opinions and the mechanisms behind coordinated harassment campaigns.

Notable Quotes

• Daniel Mackey:
  "There's absolutely. Can I swear. There is no fucking way that that was all organic. There's no fucking way. I would bet you a million dollars." [09:04]

• Jennifer Robinson:
  "She never wanted to relive what happened in her relationship. She had to go on the stand and talk about what she describes as the most traumatic incidents in her life." [15:58]

• Alexei Mostros:
  "If your opinions on Amber Heard can be artificially swayed, then why not your opinions about a politician, a business, or even a war?" [10:00]

Next Steps

The investigation continues in subsequent episodes, where Alexei Mostros plans to engage directly with Ron Schnell and other key individuals to uncover definitive evidence of orchestrated online harassment. Stay tuned to Sweet Bobby for a deeper exploration into the forces shaping public narratives in high-profile legal battles.

Support Slow Journalism: Consider donating to Tortoise to help sustain responsible and in-depth investigative reporting. Visit tortoisemedia.com/support-us to contribute.

Listen to More: Download the free Tortoise audio app or subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for exclusive content and ad-free access.