“The Slap Heard Around The World”: How International Media Has Responded To Will Smith’s Troubling Oscar Moment

deadline.com:

“The Slap Heard Around The World” is how Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald has appropriately described it.The Oscars have once again permeated the cultural conversation.

Sadly, for the wrong reasons.Will Smith’s rash and disproportionate response to Chris Rock’s ill-advised jibe has landed plenty of column inches and air time on the international stage.

The overriding tone has been censorious.While the Ukraine conflict is rightly the lead story on most outlets, some UK tabloids are leading with #slapgate and most foreign publications have the shocking Oscar moment as their number two story in terms of prominence.

Most have the moment as their lead Oscar story ahead of other coverage from the night.In the UK, The Telegraph‘s critic Robbie Collin branded Smith’s act as “the most shameful and unforgivable Oscar moment ever”.The Guardian called the evening “a historic night for women – overshadowed by male violence”.