Reporting on the Dead

Since we learned of actor Heath Ledger's untimely death on Tuesday afternoon, the basic fact is that until additional tests have been conducted, the autopsy is incomplete and inconclusive as to why this 28-year-old man died. That's what we know.

Let's get to what we don't know: his death was a tragic accident, or something to the contrary. Until we know for sure, I think the media should just shut their mouths and stop all the speculation that's been running rampant.

This man has a two-year-old daughter. His family is going through the worst time in their lives. Their hearts are broken, they're numb, they can't understand what's going on right now. Michelle Williams is trying to figure out how to explain to their little girl that she will never see her daddy again. It's heartbreaking, tragic, and it's being used to fuel our never ceasing desire to eavesdrop on the lives of others.

Please let them grieve in privacy and dignity for a few days at least for goodness sake. As far as I'm aware, Heath Ledger never did anything but conduct himself in the most respectful and charismatic way. He gave us exactly what we asked of him -- good entertainment and our $12 worth when we sat our butts in the seats of a movie theater. He made his living in the entertainment business, but he purposely chose not to make his life that way. He was by all accounts a normal guy in every way, a regular dad who was often photographed walking down the streets of Manhattan or Brooklyn with his daughter, Matilda.

The scene outside his apartment on the night Ledger died made me sick to my stomach. People gawking and waiting around for a body bag to be removed. I have been at similar scenes in my work as an assistant district attorney. And let me tell you, if you don't have to be there, you wouldn't want to be. It's morbid. Someone who was loved is in that bag... and trust me it takes more than a minute to get used to that.

And when actress Michelle Williams and her daughter arrived home in Brooklyn, the scene was just as bad. Instead of being allowed to enter her home in privacy, she had to endure the flashbulbs of the paparazzi waiting to snap the money shot. How she explained that to her child through her grief is something I hope never to experience.

Might I suggest that we in the media, instead of reporting on the dead based on gossip, rumor, innuendo and anonymous sources, choose to honor this man's memory based on his talent and the good taste we all should be exercising. My heart goes out to the family of Heath Ledger.

Comments

[BardEric]

Well said Star..Its too bad our society loves to revel in the pain and suffering of others..It­'s no different than Anna Nicole, or our obession with the train-wreck that is Britney. We as a society need to get a life, or a better hobby. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mr Ledger's friends and family as well..May you all find peace and comfort in the fact that his films have gained him a kind of immortality, and he will long be remembered by us all.

[kariebowman]

It's about time a member of the media stood up and called out the media hounds and gossip vultures! Thank you Star Jones! I was sickened by the way HL death was and continues to be a circus. I have heard so many irresponsible and inappropriate comments from newscasters, talk show hosts, and entertainment mag shows...fr­om "pills strewn around him" and the rolled up $20 bill with "a white substance". Why are these horrible people not being held accountable? I am appalled with the way society is so hung up on celebrity issues. And what's worse...th­e info is being shoved down our throats. When I turn on the news, I want to watch real news. my heart goes out to his family, and his little girl. Where are the morals in America??? How can we bring ourselves to fanatically take pics of is ex and baby in this tragic time?? WTF!
There is an epidemic going on.....and it starts with the pharmaceutical companies.­...and our government that backs them. Children are dying, and babies are being born addicted to synthetic drugs that have a permanent impact on their lives. Wake up America.

[greymen]

What a wonderful, wonderful SAINT you are, Ms. Jones! Such compassion, such wonderfulnessness! I wish you were here so I could put a halo on you, so merciful and sweet you are!

[BufoAmericanus]

Well... People used to say that journals of merit assured accuracy THEN printed it. If they were wrong, at least they could show an attempt to cross check. Of course, since suicide has religious overtones for many, they wouldn't print that until they were sure, and sometimes not even then.

Now...
Well...
Ruppert Morlock?

[meglette04]

I couldn't agree more. My heart goes out to his family. I could never imagine coping with such a loss. This was probably the most respectable piece that's been written on the matter. The media seems to forget where their boundaries should be and they need to be put in their place. Unfortunately this is how the media and paparazzi will always be. Disrepecting the last images of a human being. And that's what he was. A father, a son, a loved one. I hope his family gets through this difficult time. And atleast his daughter will always have the pictures of them together. That's when he seemed to be the happiest. He won't be there with her, but she'll know how much she meant to him.

[jas1981123]

Here here Star! Finally someone who is not afraid to speak out against this media circus.

I live in Ireland and little has been broadcast of this sad tragedy, only snippits on the news every now and again, but when I log on to any America sites, it amazes me that they are allowed to publish these stories, lies and half truths.

I am a genuine fan of Ledgers work, and he was not one of your typical Hollywood publicity whores. As much as possible, he lived his life away from the spot light and in his death, he should be allowed the same rights. Leave him to rest in peace. Give his family and friends space to accept what has just happened and mourne as they need to without their pictures appearing in some national rag!

[mirza]

Agreed!

[maggiemae73]

Thank you Star Jones for your eloquent call for humanity!

It would be great if the reporters/paparazzi would put that much effort into uncovering all the bad things our govt. is trying to do (and has done) to us and other nations and leave celebrities alone in their personal lives. There'd be no end to the intrigue of govt. misdeeds. I want real news, not distracting and speculative gossip.

My heart truly goes out to his family. The world has lost a great human, father, and talent.

[PattiNYC]

Must admit, I've never been a fan of yours - but....you wrote a beautiful and respectful article about this very sad story. Thank you for being a voice of reason and sensitivity.

[Norm]

Great post. Next up, after the Ledger story has been bludgeoned to death, will be that of the dissembling Britney Spears. After following, hounding, photographing and reviewing her every move day on an hourly basis, should she suffer an untimely accident or demise, the press will say "What a tragedy." Never will it admit its complicity in the tragic spiral of this young woman. Certainly some movie people seek press attention, but all, in times of trouble, deserve restraint on the part of the press. Hollywood and those who live there - even those who "escape" to New York, who vainly attempt to live "normally" - are all subjected to a ghoulish feeding frenzy that does not end in death and may often contribute to it. It takes a very hardy spirit to lose all sense of privacy and it is plumb indecent of the press and us to deprive anyone of it. With heartfelt condolences to the Ledger family. May we all, in kindness, leave you alone is this sad time.

[LadyMorgain]

Well stated Star: finally a voice of reason in this insanity we know as "Star Watching". I know for some, that this type of story if what they live for. Speculation, rumors, everything but the truth. And yes, Michelle has the hardest job of all, telling her daughter that she will never see daddy again. It breaks my heart. And the way the photographers were yelling at her when she arrived home: even heard one yelling at her how she felt!! Star, keep up the good work: maybe others in your business will finally listen.

[Claudialein]

Thanx for your words. I hope it arrives to so many people and find out the bad moment of that family.
Respect and love for all the people who are missing him more than us.
Claudia, Madrid, Spain.

[rucognizant]

Until we as a society, return to doing work that has dignity, a sense of fullfilment and ADEQUATE PAY! People will need to relieve their unrewarding lives by fantasizing bout others lives.
We just got a new company in our neighborhod, Big Whoop, 200 jobs collecting marketing data!
What is the end use of this data? So the corporations can more effectively cram stuff we don't want or need down our throats! These replace jobs making shoes, in Maine. I bought a pair of LLBean mocs made in CHina and they are the worst pair of shoes I have ever put on my feet. Think about it! Until 100 years ago, the CHinese were strapping their women's toes, under the instep to make them look smaller, are these the people we want making shoes for the world?
( Because Italy is also having a problem with their shoe industry.)
Fortunately I bought several pairs of Dexter Shoes before they moved off shore.....­...guess when they fall apart I might learn to make my own!
So all these disconnected, unfullfilled people turn to celebrity gawking to relieve the pain & boredom of their dreary lives.....­.......
They're already alert to the fact that they can't even play a meaningful part in this "democracy"?

[vginger]

Well said, Star...and way past needing to be said.
One Voice...an­d then two and then more and more...and maybe one day we can have some respect for the media once again.
Thank You. V.

[MNmommy]

Thank you Star. Can you email Hasselbeck and tell her to shut her mouth as well?