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When news broke that the Associated Press had on file an obituary for pop star Britney Spears, it stirred some controversy. By what calculus does a news organization nominate twentysomethings for the journalistic equivalent of a death pool? AP entertainment editor Jesse Washington explains.
Ghoulish greed masquerading, shamelessly, as proactive journalism. People such as Jesse Washington have taken yellow journalism to a noxious shade of bile green. Why doesn't Mr. Washington simply jump ship to the National Inquirer? He could drop the veneer, make more money, and best of all, have 24/7 access to psychics.
It's a common practice to pre-print obituaries for celebrities who are likely to die soon are made. I really would not be surprised if Britney dies before 2010. Let's face it, she's not doing well. There really is nothing ghoulish about covering all your bases.
What's the big deal, anyway? Whether someone is "old enough" to die and not have it be a tragedy? A responsible journalist--particularly in the electronic era--is as prepared as possible for all outcomes. What about non-train wrecks like Reese Witherspoon and Will Smith? They're still popular celebrities and, unfortunately, s**t happens and it isn't always happy news. Should journalists not be prepared with their obits, too? It's not ghoulish to understand that people die, sometimes prematurely...and smart journalists are ready for that.
Don't mean to be cruel here, but really, how flipping long would it take to write BS's obit? "Fading pop star dies" and then a couple of sentences giving the cause and date of death? I could write this in a couple minutes, if that.
It's not like you were writing about some significant person such as Churchill or Elvis, or Einstein, someone who actually achieved something important or lasting, or useful in their lives.
This AP editor is either damn lazy or a complete pouser.
Reality check people!
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