Millie Bobby Brown has recently criticized multiple journalists and media outlets for their involvement in recent attacks over her appearance including an article from The Daily Mail. Most of the comments stated that she had “aged” poorly. This attack on Brown is a prime example of journalists and media crossing the line when it comes to celebrities, especially women.
Brown has faced internet backlash her whole life, starting when she was just a child. The internet has called her homophobic, self centered, conceited, etc. She also faced backlash for marrying young, and is now being attacked for her appearance.
Journalism needs to change its priorities. With the growth of social media, it is easy for harmful news and comments to be spread to a variety of people. These comments are not only disgusting, but unnecessary. News outlets need to take their media more seriously, publishing news that reveals truth and sincerity.
Another issue that comes up time and time again, is “cancel culture”, which is the constant push to undermine someone’s career through the use of media. Obviously, cancel culture is not entirely awful as it is an attempt to hold public figures accountable for their own actions, but most of these publications that come from cancel culture have nothing to do with that.
The true impacts of cancel culture are the results of social media nitpicking and searching for the downfall of major names. Whether it is something you said or didn’t say, the internet is constantly pushing to bring people at high positions down.
The internet is constantly trying to define celebrities, and whether or not they are worthy of their acquired fame. Although it is completely understandable for one to have their own opinion, the constant harmful rhetoric towards certain celebrities needs to be called out, not commended. And all of this is being curated by journalists on real, professional platforms.
Journalists are told to follow a specific code of ethics, a set of guidelines that one must follow in order to promote good journalism and reduce harm. It is obvious that these reporters have not been properly advised in these cases when it comes to situations including the current one with Brown.
There is an entire section about minimizing harm from the Society of Professional Journalists, noting that journalists should “balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort”. It is blatantly clear that the reporters involved in these egregious violations of news media are failing to even consider an equilibrium between necessity and ultimate destruction of integrity. The media involved in terrible misconduct have obviously released unnecessary information while also providing terrible impairment towards victims like Brown.
Ultimately, journalism needs a wake up call and take accountability for their involvement in the terrorizing relationship between media and the public. To promote and protect the integrity that does exist with the media, make sure to spread the word about the importance of ethical journalism.
