Pistorius’s apology highlight of the week – DDI

This was according to information from media monitoring group, Data Driven Insight (DDI).

“I wake up every morning and you’re the first people I think of, the first people I pray for,” the paralympic athlete told the Steenkamps shortly after entering the witness box on Monday.

“I can’t imagine the sorrow and emptiness I’ve caused,” he said.

Pistorius’s apology generated around 23,912 articles within the hour that it was delivered, said the DDI.

Pistorius shot Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door at his Pretoria home on Valentine’s Day last year.

He alleged he had mistaken her for an intruder.

DDI said in the 24 hours ending at 2pm on Friday, one of the topics that generated most online conversations was based on Pistorius’s conversation with presiding Judge Thokozile Masipa.

This was after Pistorius caved in after State prosecutor Gerrie Nel accused him of delivering evidence that differed to that he gave in his evidence-in-chief.

“It was a mistake… I’m tired, My Lady,” Pistorius replied in a monotone voice, keeping his eyes on Masipa.

She cautioned Pistorius that he “should be all here” and should tell the court if he was too tired to proceed.

Another topic of interest came about when Nel accused Pistorius of lying to the court.

The stern prosecutor was reprimanded by Masipa.

“You don’t call the witness a liar, not while he is in the witness box,” she said to Nel.

Globally, the United States gave the trial the most publicity, followed by Australia, the United Kingdom and then South Africa.

The data was compiled from 6.2 million social media platforms which included blogs, forums, social networks and commentary.

It also included data from 60,000 global online newspapers, 2000 South African print publications and 66 radio and television stations.

– Sapa