Changes in reporting after a tragedy

Whenever a celebrity or media focus dies, it is always interesting to me when they will turn headlines of tragedy into opportunities to stir up drama.  It seems there is a grace period of sorts when journalists focus on mourning, and then turn to heat up the press.  It is only natural that they would take advantage of these opportunities to keep stories in the news, but what interests me is the grace period they allot.  When John Travolta's son died, I had the same feeling when the headlines changed.  At first, they were about the tragedy and sorrow everyone was feeling.  They then switched to wondering if John and his wife were negligent parents. Today, I began to see how headlines are really switching between those of sadness and remembrance to prodding into deeper issues.  It is no surprise that drugs are now being brought into question, but I also saw an article in thestar.com today that I thought would come into play.  The headline read "Michael Jackson: Black or ...What?" 

This headline is a pun on his famous hit including the lyrics "It doesn't matter if you're black or white."  The article goes on to state that, "Distinctly troubling to Jackson's black audience were the cosmetic enhancements and skin lightening which diminished his African facial features. Black comics joked about him turning into a white woman, but many devotees were pained." I think the article itself is well-written and does a good job explaining how this pop-icon opened doors for other black artists.  I also think that the article itself isn't offensive and would not be hurtful for Jackson fans to read which I think is an important part of the transition during the "grace period" between mourning and digging deeper in reporting.  The only problem that I have with the article is its headline.  I think that the line between making his song a joke title came a bit soon, but that is just my personal taste.  An avid MJ fan, the headline alone made me not want to read the rest of the article.  I'm glad I did though as the end acknowledged his influence on the entertainment industry and lasting impression on the world!

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