Recently, Hollywood lost a beloved
star, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, known for films such as Moneyball and The Big
Lebowski. On February 2, 2014 the world was informed of the actor’s death
caused by an overdose of heroin. News stands and stations have been feeding the
country the tragic details of his death all throughout this week. What I don’t
understand is when is it enough information for the public to be happy and just
move on from it? Do we have to label him an “addict” and a drug abuser while
his family is not even a week in to mourning their loss of a loved one?
Above
is a post that was recently shared and showed up on Facebook. I’m posting it
because I think the world could use a little more of the humility shown by the
young woman that wrote it. Nothing angers me more than how bad journalism can
make itself out to be. When you hold so much power and persuasion how can a
company such as New York Daily News create a cover such as this:
This
was released Thursday, February 4 as an invite for readers to look at the
details of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s death. Does anyone up at NYDaily care about
the image of its magazine? Is anyone else offended by the lack of sensitivity
shown by this publisher? Perhaps some tips in common decency would be in order
for the ‘professionals’ that approved of such a headline.
If
I were on the public relations team for NYDaily I would obviously have a pretty
big mess to clean up. When something like this happens is when PR professionals
should jump in and say “hey let’s not make ourselves look bad” instead of
trying to sell magazines in such a manner. I would recommend an immediate
apology along with a new front page advertised in a more decent way. The whole
black background and red bold letters make it seem like the cover to a dramatic
and dark film, which works for the story as long as more humility is shown with
the facts. And the title "Drug Den" needs to go. This example is obviously just one of the more recent incidents in
which journalism has made itself look like reporters and newspapers are
heartless. Not saying they are, but a majority of people think this. And who
can blame them?
Let’s
not forget the many times that front-page spreads have been regarding the messy
details of a failed marriage. I get it. It’s news. I guess this is how public
relations professionals and journalists are different. We’re trying to keep it
clean and classy while reporters apparently don’t care.
The
story is completely different when a public figure does the damage all
themselves. I’m wondering what the agents for Texas country singer, Josh
Abbott, are currently thinking after he openly admitted to cheating on his wife
as well as addictions on his own Twitter account.
Yikes.
I’m not sure whether to applaud the man for his honesty or feel bad for his
manager and those who have worked so hard for the image they have helped him
create. If I were in charge of his public image, I would recommend him lay low
for a while until it all blows over. Maybe somehow make the public sympathize
for him, since I’m sure there is explanation for his behavior. I’m sure his
fans will remain loyal since this isn’t breaking through the news and is coming
from his own mouth. In public relations, I think forgiveness and empathy is
something that not many people can give, but it’s what a lot of us in the
industry might someday have to work toward for our client’s sake.
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