Coverage of Celebrity deaths- Is it fair?

I don’t know about you, but when I hear of a celebrity death for some reason I never believe it at first. It comes as a shock initially, but as coverage on the event plays out, it becomes more and more believable. When a celebrity dies, the truth comes out. For example in the case of Brittany Murphy, in the months before her death she was rumored to be considerably skinnier, and possibly under the influence of prescription drugs. Obviously celebrities cover these rumors up and brush them aside, but most of the time the matter in question doesn’t go away and perhaps worsens. Publicists and loved ones try to deny the fact of shady circumstances surrounding the death of celebrities, but the truth always comes out. Why did Britney Murphy die from cardiac arrest at the age of 32 is there were no health problems or drug dependence issues? It’s hard to admit these things during rough times.

The coverage of celebrity deaths has become manipulative. In death, celebrities can leave mixed legacies. Once known for their accomplishments, but in passing remembered as the kind of person they were when they die. For example, Michael Jackson. In the coverage of his death, some praised him as being the world’s best entertainer, others as a pedophile. This turned into allegations of racism, however “white” celebrities who have passed have not always been honored either. Elvis, Kurt Kobain, Heath Ledger and Anna Nicole Smith have all been regarded “drug addicts” in their passing and its sad that is their last impression they made in their careers. The racist issue that was brought up after the coverage of Michael Jackson’s death shows how pop culture still possibly embodies underlying racism no matter if the allegations are true or not. It shows how coverage can be so manipulative at times, that is changes people’s outlook just upon how the media was presented.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLOhDphor_o

For example, in the coverage of Michael Jackson’s death, by showing the videos of P.Diddy and Jamie Fox accentuating Michael for being African American it starts people on the notion of racism when it could perhaps just be praise of his life and accomplishments of being a successful African American. Our culture still tip toes on a fine line around racism and this is evident in the coverage of the King of Pop. Its sad to think that no matter how hard a celebrity works to overcome rumors and change their ways, it will still be exploited with their passing.