Abstract
The engagement of Kate Fischer, actress, and Jamie Packer, media executive and son of Australia's richest man, ended in October 1998. In the week following the split, Packer signed over in entirety the Bondi apartment he had shared with Fischer. He was also sighted dining with another model, Jodie Meares (whom he later married). Also that week, Fischer left Australia for Hollywood. Sydney press coverage of these events continued for over a month.
This paper is a case study of news stories about the break-up. Storytelling in the news is the initial focus, including consideration of ways in which Cinderella themes were embedded in several accounts. Conventional distinctions between soft news and hard news are also considered, because many accounts were located in sections of newspapers conventionally devoted to hard news. Placement and timing of the stories are also considered in terms of the gatekeeper metaphor. The concept of scandal is also briefly investigated.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.