Filed under: Celebrities
I’ve already admitted that I am a celebrity news junkie.
On a good day, I’ve read People.com and Perez Hilton’s blog by 10 a.m. Today, I am a little late. And, dumbfounded.
Am I loving the new photos from the set of Sex and the City (Is it’s name part two?) of Carrie and Big? Abso-f***-inglutely.
Am I, along with the rest of the world, questioning Michelle Duggar’s sanity? Oh, heavens yes. (Not that I wasn’t already. You know, before she announced she’s expecting her 19th child.)
Am I shocked that Chris Brown has somehow turned a domestic violence case into a publicity stunt? No… but I am appalled.
But… I’m going to say it… for the first time I am truly questioning the taste and tact of People.com. I thought they were above the nasty, grimy slums of celebrity sensationalism. I will say, it is likely that People is not the only offender in this situation — and perhaps they are adhering to their journalistic responsibility to present the truth. But, in the wake of the alleged-suicide of DJ AM (real name, Adam Goldstein) I think they’ve gone too far.
The People.com home page features a People Exclusive where an anonymous source has told reporters that AM’s body was found with nine OxyContin pills inside. The source goes on to say “He wanted to die.”
Furthermore, the story reports that authorities found a Valentine’s Day card from AM’s ex, Haley Wood, in the next room along with photos of both Wood and AM. A crack pipe and crack cocaine were also found at the scene.
The story goes on to explain the arrangement of AM’s apartment, contents of his cell phone and even a word-for-word text message from a friend.
The suicide of any person is a tragedy. It has a lasting effect on the lives of many others, and it is not something to be taken lightly. Many celebrity friends of the deejay have made public statements expressing their grief over AM’s death. Who can even comprehend the pain his family is feeling?
I am shocked that any responsible news organization would go so far as to publicise the explicit details of a celebrity suicide. Moreover, I am appalled that a recent breakup would be attributed as the trigger for his death. That poor girl…
Too many people die untimely deaths as it is. But, in the wake of a tragedy like this one, we should do everything we can to protect the family, friends and fans of DJ AM. Having just described myself as “inherently curious” in yesterday’s post, I must elaborate and say that some information just doesn’t belong in the news.
Many journalism teachers and professors will argue that a public figure (Hollywood celebrity or otherwise) agrees to public scrutiny when they put themself in the public eye. In most situations, I would agree. In this situation, I have to default to my own values, morals and sense of right and wrong. I thought more of the journalism industry — no matter the focus area of the publication — that they held the same values.
R.I.P. Adam Goldstein
Thanks for reading. S
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