We talk a big game when it comes to mental health. We support initiatives like R U OK? Day, share awareness posts, and encourage open conversations about well-being. But then, every week, we contradict ourselves by engaging with media outlets that thrive on exploiting people at their lowest moments. We all know which publications churn out invasive paparazzi shots and sensationalised headlines, feeding off personal struggles for clicks, comments, and ad revenue.
This is something I’ve felt strongly about for years, which is why Gold Coast Magazine has a strict no-paparazzi policy. We refuse to profit from clickbait stories about people’s personal lives, mental health, or relationships. Sure, we could probably get more traffic if we did, but I believe being a decent human matters more. For 18 years, I’ve been committed to creating a space on the internet where people can engage with content that isn’t at someone else’s expense.
Kate Ritchie & the Relentless Exploitation of Personal Struggles
This week, we saw yet another example of how ruthless the media can be. Images of Kate Ritchie, captured at an incredibly vulnerable moment, circulated online—not out of concern, but for profit. Instead of reaching out to ask if she was okay, a photographer saw dollar signs, a publisher saw an opportunity for engagement, and a journalist pieced together an article with no regard for the human being behind it.
Kate took to social media to share a deeply personal statement about her struggles with mental health. She spoke openly about needing time to heal, yet her words shouldn’t have been necessary in the first place. No one should have to beg for privacy while dealing with something so personal.
It’s Time to Change What We Consume
If we’re serious about mental health, we need to stop supporting media that actively harms people. Every click, comment, and share on these exploitative stories tells publications that this kind of content is profitable. It’s time we hold them accountable by refusing to engage.
As for the paparazzi who stake out people’s homes, follow them and their children, and wait for the “perfect” shot of someone at their lowest—find something else to do. It’s not journalism. It’s harassment.
We can do better. We must do better. The media landscape doesn’t have to be a dumpster fire of sensationalism and intrusion. Ethical storytelling exists, and it’s up to us to demand more of it.