To be taken aback by press conference about Robin Williams' death

[Procrastinatingpeacock]

Just watching this on BBC News 24. The police officer leading the press conference is giving what seems to me to be an incredibly disrespectful level of detail about the exact manner of Robin Williams' death and discovery of his body. Cannot understand why anyone needs to know this, particularly as the poor man has only been dead for about 24 hours. Feel very sorry for any of his family or friends who may be watching, just seems to me to be totally inappropriate.

Sadly, it's probably a good thing because lack of clarified details can lead to all sorts of shit in the tabloids, and on social media

Shocking amount of detail released

I'm not watching but maybe it's a case of better the devil you know. If they didn't give any details would the media not just fill in the gaps with speculation and overuse of the words 'suspected' and 'alleged'. That could be really distressing for everyone I'd imagine. His family know the facts, it's maybe better just to get them out there and that's it done.

We were listening on the radio. I thought there were rules or at least very strong guidelines for UK media on not going into detail about suicides for fear of encouraging copycats. I know they were reporting a US press conference but I would have thought that still applies.

I agree that it's to stop the scaremongering. People fill in their own blanks. (Usually wrongly!)

I think knowing the facts is the best way to stop speculation.

Robin Williams family and friends doesn't need false reports at this tragic time.

Hmmm well I take the point about getting the truth out there to avoid wild speculation, but it just seemed totally lurid to me. Horrible.

There are guidelines about the level of detail you can go into regarding the method of suicide. However they only apply to the print media, and not the broadcast media.

See here (section 5) www.pcc.org.uk/cop/practice.html

grief whoring - just another faucet of this fame-mad world

plenty of people died last night and this morning, plenty achieved lots. not all are headline news for the entire day

I found it quite shocking and upsetting (and not much shocks me). I assumed his family would have consented to that amount of detail being released to save them from speculation.

I think grief whoring is a grim thing to say thick.

Robin Williams must have hours and hours worth of viewing time. Over decades. He has fans.

That's very unfair of you.

Tbh I think it is just the American way, but I didn't like it

Thicksolid that was a vile thing you've said.

thick, what a horrible thing to say. he was famous as a result of his wonderful talents, people are going to understandably be saddened, moved, interested and confused about his death.

Thanks Finney, I didn't know the rules didn't apply to broadcast media.

I think thick solid was making a comment about the unpleasant situation not a statement on it?

yanbu

Sadly being famous you are in many eyes public property

Of course we did not need the full details just knowing he committed suicide was enough it's very sad what more do we need to know

There will be speculation regardless how much is known as people want to jump on other peoples grief for some it is worrying others just feed off others pain and grief to add drama in their own life

Interestingly I have just looked online and the BBC's story on the press conference omits most if not all of the detail provided about the manner of death.