Outside the Diddy Trial, a New Media Guard Rules

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Every weekday at approximately 3 p.m., local time in lower Manhattan’s federal courthouse, a flurry ensues. After lengthy sessions involving sensational testimony and evidence in the sex-trafficking and racketeering trial of popular figures Sean “Diddy” Combs – whose reputation as a cultural icon, tarnished after three decades of success, appears to deteriorate further with each new witness coming forward – you’ll observe media personnel, supporters, and passersby emerging from the rear entrance of Manhattan federal court. Some hurriedly type on their recently retrieved smartphones (prohibited within the building), disseminating the day’s graphic details from the trial instantly; others rush to board the uptown 6 train near City Hall en route to a midtown newsroom. Following extended periods of listening to harrowing accounts of alleged forced sex, battery, coercion, gaslighting, and emotional abuse by romantic partners, which women have accused Combs of being their abuser almost daily for five weeks, some courthouse exits are filled with individuals without a newsroom or editor who swiftly mount their phones on tripods or selfie sticks to share the day’s courtroom updates online. Not long after, a black van arrives at 500 Pearl Street, signaling it’s time to dash around to the front of the courthouse to record the afternoon’s most critical event.

In this scenario, a group consisting of livestreamers, YouTubers, and TikTok influencers gather together to capture footage of the Combs family leaving court. The defendant’s mother, Janice Combs, who resides 30 miles north of the courthouse and raised her son following her husband’s death, is a focal point for photographers due to her daily court attendance. A commotion arises when Janice, aged 83, steps out from the court and approaches a recently arrived vehicle. A young livestreamer, during the trial several weeks in, exclaims, “Janice! I’d drink your bathwater!” as a reference to dialogue from ‘The Color Purple.’ During this trial, Janice’s popularity has been surpassed only by that of her grandsons, King and Justin Dior Combs. They provide significant moments for the livestreaming community — or more accurately, for their viewers, as hundreds, or in some cases thousands, are tuning in live to watch and comment, contributing to the online Diddy media industry.

In a twist from the usual media scenario, the individuals covering the Diddy trial are not traditional journalists but livestreamers who have been reporting on the case for eight weeks. They’ve brought diverse perspectives to the table, discussing both the legal case and the defendant’s remarkable life story. However, viewers should be warned that the discussions may include sensitive topics such as domestic violence and emotional abuse. Additionally, the content might lead to unverified comparisons to figures like Jeffrey Epstein, speculation about celebrities who have met Diddy, and potential links between these rumors and QAnon conspiracy theories. Although not all livestreamers are responsible for creating this sensationalist content, they do stand outside the courthouse in the context of the trial’s possible revelations, which are now challenging the reality-based nature of the case. It’s important to remember that the case is centered on a few individuals, most of whom are not famous.

The livestream of this trial features a diverse group of commentators, each with their distinct delivery methods, often casual or unpolished, peppered with contemporary slang. In this motley crew of street reporters, you’ll find Tisa Tells, who can sometimes be flustered but usually provides insightful analysis; FamerTube, who speaks in a conspiratorial tone; the newcomer Sam Croupen from TikTok, known for his comedic trial coverage and growing fanbase of half a million; and Rotten Mango, or Stephanie Soo, a true crime podcaster, who has seized the Diddy trial and is now leading on YouTube, surpassing Joe Rogan in popularity. This trial and its amateur commentators have managed to captivate so many viewers that even the established media is starting to play nice, albeit anecdotally.

Brianna Logan, who recently moved to New York after gathering funds from the public and reporting on several high-profile trials for her Instagram account, stated to The Hollywood Reporter that the way mainstream media has interacted with influencers has drastically evolved. She explained, “When I was covering the Ghislane Maxwell trial, the disrespect I faced was palpable. People would demand my seat and dismiss me as ‘cute’ because I’m on Instagram. However, things have improved significantly now. The change is noticeable. I believe they are starting to recognize that their audience numbers are dwindling while social media platforms are flourishing – a fact that can no longer be ignored.

In Columbus Park, on the west side, the traditional media establishment maintains a well-equipped position, with high-end cameras and protective shelters arranged orderly. Their appearances are polished, but it’s uncertain if they’re actually witnessing the trial inside before delivering their live reports. However, these established media organizations are feeding information from the courtroom in real time for online blogs, offering minute-by-minute details on the testimony, the tension between the prosecution and defense, Sean Combs’ subtle actions towards the jury, and Judge Arun Subramanian’s changing demeanor. The costs associated with this operation are significant, but what they produce is constrained by the conventions of television news—outdated segment structures, stringent guidelines, bureaucratic procedures, and often a focus on middle-of-the-road stories. Consequently, despite being so close, traditional media may not be capturing the entire story of the Diddy trial as some aspects unfold live in front of their cameras.

The comparison between two groups of media personalities, who are essentially content creators, and their frequent presence near the courthouse at 3 p.m., seems overly obvious or contrived. Over the past decade, the shift in online news towards video content and the emergence of TikTok and influencers has transformed impactful reporting from the traditional serious, neutral journalist to more casual, friendly, and eccentric figures who cater to their own audience. On a typical weekday outside Combs’ trial, these content creators and livestreamers discuss news, offer opinions, and sometimes answer legal questions from their followers. The issue for many is that these live streams can be unrefined and occasionally messy, with awkward mistakes and admissions of not fully understanding the subject matter. This has always been a concern in the democratization of media and the rise of individual voices as news sources on social media, Substack, YouTube, and other platforms. As fact-checking and sourcing are often sacrificed for trust built through personality-driven influencers and popular opinions, there is a question about whether truth will be lost in the old concept of journalism: holding power accountable to the truth.

In my perspective as a follower, it’s fascinating to witness this shift unfolding right before our eyes. Traditional news sources are grappling with some challenging changes, while digital platforms are reaping the benefits. As per Pew Research Center, an astounding 86% of Americans now rely on digital devices for their news intake, with a significant portion utilizing news websites and apps. Additionally, around half of this number obtains news straight from social media channels. Interestingly, while 23% prefer apps and websites, the proportion of people who prefer social media news has risen by 6%, reaching 18%.

This development is particularly relevant in the context of the Combs’ narrative and trial, which mirrors the tumultuous O.J. Simpson case that took place 30 years ago. The influx of television cameras and live broadcasts in the courtroom during the Simpson trial may have swayed public opinion and exposed underlying racial divides in the nation. Although influencers and livestreamers might not hold such influence here, the vast and diverse audiences they command, and at times mobilize, should not be underestimated.

Emilie Hagen, the creator, shared with THR that there are numerous individuals who are deeply invested in telling stories and generating content in various manners. Some people are even residing outside as a means to support Diddy’s culture. This demonstrates the impact he has made and explains why the situation is so crucial.

Among the many one-woman producers and hosts regularly seen near the court premises each day, Hagen also delves into comedy, journalism, and ghostwriting. She gained notability online by saving and sharing Kanye West’s frequently deleted posts on X.com (@kanyesposts). After successfully fundraising for a trip to New York during Combs’ trial in mid-May, she has been swiftly posting videos – captured around the Diddy trial events outside the Pearl Street federal courthouse. She shares her insightful and sometimes revealing content regularly on popular platforms such as Instagram (where most of her audience is), YouTube, and Twitch. Hagen, who hails from California, expressed in an interview with THR that she came more to document the court-related chaos, the unique individuals it attracts, and the culture outside the courthouse.

At an off-air trial where electronic devices are strictly monitored, Hagen demonstrated a remarkable foresight by being the one to unravel the mystery surrounding a group of individuals in Columbus Park, who appeared homeless and possibly under the influence, yet were wearing “Free Diddy” T-shirts. It seemed like an organized pro-Combs protest, but it was actually a promotion for Diddycoin, a cryptocurrency introduced by two of Combs’ sons. The fact that this event occurred near broadcast cameras and went unnoticed by the networks, yet was exposed by a mobile livestreamer, underscores the diligence of Hagen as a reporter. Moreover, Hagen revealed the identity and firsthand account of the woman who was escorted out of the courtroom after rushing towards Combs and shouting; mainstream media outlets had largely referred to her as an “unidentified woman.” Additionally, when West attended the court hearing, Hagen graciously shared some details about his visit with THR.

In my opinion, these characters are just as integral to the trial as the individuals involved, Hagen stated. This includes the approximately two dozen livestreamers chronicling significant discoveries and the trial’s unusual aspects, as well as all the other participants: the man who comes every day to express his anger, the man dressed in Renaissance clothing, the crowd members celebrating, and those supporting Diddy’s alternative perspective.

Some contemporary livestreamers perceive that they have a stake in the Diddy narrative because mainstream media outlets didn’t cover Cassie Ventura’s 2023 civil lawsuit against Combs, or lost their right by not doing so. They observed as interest from broadcasters and other mainstream platforms increased after Combs made a rapid settlement out of court the following day. They noticed how Combs’ legal troubles became a popular story and then potentially a RICO case. Interest outside of streaming gradually grew with civil lawsuits and complaints, and then escalated significantly with a scandalous civil lawsuit in February 2024 from producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones. After this, Diddy headlines became a daily occurrence and eventually impossible to ignore for livestreamers like Donat Ricketts, also known as Donat POV. This feels like the misuse of their services to them.

Donat shared with me outside the courthouse that he’s the most popular thing around, explaining, ‘I manage to get people involved, stimulate thought, and grasp various perspectives. I have a good understanding of many things.’

Donat shares his experience of spending four years working under various lawyers in Los Angeles as part of a training program. However, he expresses that he’s chosen not to become a lawyer because he feels it involves a kind of ‘brainwashing’. Instead, he prefers to live-stream from high-profile trials involving rappers and other influential figures, as he believes this will expand the reach of his perspective (Donat POV). Yet, he finds it frustrating when the media tries to control or manipulate the narrative.

In his conversation with THR, he emphasized that the current case highlights the influence of streaming platforms at this particular juncture. Here’s the point: When Cassie initiated a lawsuit and Diddy received a letter from the prosecutor, I have a video that garnered 650,000 views discussing Diddy’s situation. It was us who truly magnified this issue. The mainstream media is now scrambling to keep up, and we always made it clear that we wouldn’t allow the mainstream media to dictate terms about something we had thoroughly investigated ourselves.

Donat’s reporting on the Combs trial showcases both the benefits and drawbacks inherent in an imperfect medium. Instead of asking if influencer content and livestreaming are taking over from traditional news sources, it’s more about determining how significantly they impact established newsrooms in terms of quarterly losses, given the dwindling resources for newsrooms. The challenges associated with running a one-person newsroom – lack of fact-checking, logistics, security or crisis training, and overwhelming amounts of information to process – appear to be issues that will remain unresolved, at least temporarily.

As a passionate gamer diving deep into my latest game exploration, I’ve got this feeling we’re on the brink of something truly extraordinary. I’m not just here to report the facts, but to immerse myself in the emotional pulse of the gaming community – something traditional media often can’t quite grasp. It’s not that CNN doesn’t care about emotions, but they have to keep their focus on the cold hard facts. For us gamers, it’s all about striking a balance between the raw data and the intense emotional journey we embark upon in every game we play.

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2025-06-16 23:55