Ellen Pompeo is seriously upset with how the world found out Kobe Bryant‘s sudden passing.
As our readers know, TMZ was first to report the news of the fatal helicopter crash that killed the 41-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant, and claimed the lives of seven other passengers on Sunday morning.
On Tuesday, the Grey’s Anatomy star took to Twitter to air out her grievances against the media outlet for what she considers to be absolutely disgraceful coverage of such a horrific tragedy.
Related: Blac Chyna Is PISSED About Kylie Jenner’s Kobe Bryant Tribute
The investigation into the crash is still ongoing but at this point, it’s been confirmed all nine people on board the chopper perished including John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Payton Chester, Sarah Chester, Christina Mauser, and pilot Ara Zobayan.
Sadly, it seems most of the victims’ families had to learn about their loved ones’ death through social media or news reports — and this fact doesn’t sit well with the 50-year-old actress.
Pompeo called out TMZ founder Harvey Levin for the outlet’s lack of tact with sensitive news stories in a series of tweets that began with:
“I wonder why police departments give @HarveyLevinTMZ all this sensitive info. I wonder why @HarveyLevinTMZ puts out photos of women who have been attacked or assaulted…. Who were victims ? Exploiting women who have been abused… why is this guy still in business at all?”
She then compared their coverage of the crash to “emotional abuse” and suggested TMZ deserved to be shut down for it:
“So many questions I have …if we are not tolerating abuse anymore… shouldn’t we be calling this out? Exploiting women who have been abused… exploiting the brutal sudden death of peoples loved ones is certainly emotional abuse… I call times up on his behavior”
Ellen continued to harp on the potentially dangerous ramifications of this type of journalism:
“We should be furious about the history of this media outlet regarding women… it’s not news it’s exploitation”
And slammed the concept of needing to be first on a scoop regardless of the subject matter:
“So many peoples lives will never be the same after this tragedy… but you got your scoop. Hope you sleep well at night @HarveyLevinTMZ I’m sure you do…”
Yikes. The criticism only got worse from there…
Related: Experts Say Kobe Crash Was ‘Totally Avoidable’ As New Evidence Surfaces
Concerned Fans Weigh In
Pompeo’s words caught the attention and support of many who agreed the online news site could’ve handled things better. However, there were a few alternative theories about the spread of information that popped up, too.
One user suggested certain employees connected to the crash might have been responsible for the early leaks, even going as far as to say that first responders and EMT workers may have tipped off TMZ.
Pompeo argued a secret, steady cash flow could be to blame in that alleged scenario:
I think the first responders were a little busy… we don’t go after first responders we celebrate them… they are real heros and I work with so many of them and they are discreet and amazing. Steady streams of info come from steady streams of cash maybe? Just a question ? https://t.co/oQVfyjv595
— Ellen Pompeo (@EllenPompeo) January 28, 2020
After several back-and-forth exchanges with other fans, Ellen reiterated her gripe stands with the fact that social media had all the details before law enforcement officials could do their jobs and notify families first:
This is exactly the question… how did they report it before law enforcement got to the families? It’s not really that hard to figure out https://t.co/p2G4Cd6Skn
— Ellen Pompeo (@EllenPompeo) January 28, 2020
She took another dig at Levin’s alleged shady business practices in a follow-up tweet:
He has built an Empire on making a lot of the lapd and sheriffs his friends…. that’s why he gets all the info. Get it? He gets every story first why do you think that is?
— Ellen Pompeo (@EllenPompeo) January 29, 2020
It’s clear how the celebrity gossip site handled things has struck a chord, but where do U stand on all of this, Perezcious readers? Do U have an issue with how the world found out the sad Kobe news?
Let us know by sounding OFF with your thoughts in the comments section (below)…
[Image via FayesVision/WENN/NBA/YouTube.]
Related Posts
