What do you think about obituaries prepared in advance? Reporters recently revealed that AP has a prepared obit for Britney Spears, speaking to the darkness she's recently been through. But the vast majority of obits in the can are for people in their 70s or older.
What does it say when we prepare text in advance of the death of a woman in her 20s? Should an obit merely cover a career or should it speak to the larger context of a person's life? Should it speak to her troubles or is that trampling a person's grave?
Friday, February 1, 2008
Well-Prepared or Morbid?
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7 comments:
As morbid as it sounds, I look at the AP's obituary as simply being well-prepared. Face it, Britney is a mess. She has lost her husband, her children and, frankly, her mind. The fact that the AP has an obituary on-hand in the case Britney were to become a victim her own bad judgement simply shows their awareness of Britney's current situation. Instead of looking at this information as being a poor reflection of the Associated Press, it should be considered a representation of the sad state young Hollywood is in and where one might end-up if they were to follow in Ms. Spears' footsteps.
-Meredith Clanfield
I think the Associated Press needs to be prepared to accurately report the cause of death of young stars more than to recall past troubles. Heath Ledger's sudden death last week is an example of this. All reports of Heath's death so far have recalled possible drug use and rumors of dating Mary-Kate Olsen. The results of Heath's autopsy have not been released yet, however, the guessing game is cruel to his memory.
Although I agree Britney has psychological issues right now, I think it is completely distasteful to report the AP has her obituary ready. Young Hollywood may be in shambles, but a person's death is tragic. Friends and family close to a star do not need to relive troubles in the past. The media should not add to the loss.
As important as it is to be prepared and ready for the worst, preparing an obituary of a troubled young adult is crossing a line. I find it very distastful that the Associated Press made it public knowledge that they were anticipating Britney Spear's death.
Sure, the girl is a wreck at the moment but countless numbers of people, both Hollywood stars and average citizens, have dealt with depression and substance abuse and fully recovered. For the AP to give so little thought to how seeing her own obituary prepared before her death could negatively affect Britney is insensitive and thoughless. And no obituary should address the negative points of a life but rather should highlight the positive.
I think this is very offensive. Pre-writing an obituary for someone as young as Britney Spears does not seem like a great time-saver. How can they accurately report on her death when she is alive? Even though she is having a difficult time, the AP should not assume her dead. Journalists would not pre-write a news story about a tragedy that is likely to occur, such as a terrorist attack. I do not see this as any different. With the Internet, a story can be spread quickly. I do not see the point of this practice, instead I think the are sensationalizing a celebrity's misfortune.
Preparing an obituary for a person who is still alive is beyond offensive. I would even go as far as saying that I am disgusted by the lack of sensitivity the AP has displayed. Although Britneys' tragic story is made public and at times I would call the media intrusive, her life, or any life for that matter, is valuable. Plenty of people have survived tramatic periods and are still around to talk about it- even to help others who are facing similiar circumstances and need someone who can relate to their condition. Who is to say that all the money Britney has won't one day go to intensive rehab and therapy from the top experts in the world- instead of her children in recent months to come through inheritance like the AP has distatefully suggested? As journalists the AP has the obligation to report accuarately to their reacders', I am lost as to who gave them the idea that they could predict news? This is not just news they are foreshadowing, it is the death of a young life, and I find that disturbing.
I think preparing obituaries for young people is ridiculous. Does the press honestly have nothing better to do than offend celebrities? I think preparing obituaries for 70-year-olds is acceptable and smart. Obituary planning for 20-year-olds is not only offensive but unnecessary.
I think it's important to remember that the AP is not out to offend anyone. The information regarding this preparation was not supposed to be leaked to the masses anyway.
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