Readers say, ‘Leave Britney alone!’

Thank you for your enthusiastic and thoughtful responses to our question about the media’s role in the ongoing Britney Spears story. We appreciate your feedback and we do take it seriously.

Every day we are deluged with images and stories about Spears — from the wire services to gossip blogs to celebrity magazines and TV shows. And every day the editors on the msnbc.com entertainment team have to decide which stories, if any, are worth pursuing and posting. We face a conundrum: Is it “news”? Should we run it? How big do we play it? Do we pitch the story to the site’s home page for broader play?

And as editors we, too, can suffer from Britney fatigue. We filter out a lot of Britney stories, along with other stories about celebrities and their endless foibles and deeds. However, there is one fact that we cannot ignore — celebrity stories and gossip, including those about Britney Spears, are the most viewed stories in our section each day (and in some cases, on the entire msnbc.com site). What do we deduce from this? That our readers like (or at the very least are intrigued by) this content. So we continue to run it, and will, with restraint, as long as you continue to read it.

We work hard to post a wide variety of stories in the entertainment section, most of which are not celebrity or gossip in nature. I hope we offer a little bit of something for everyone. And I do believe that a daily dose of gossip and celebrity news can be fun and makes for a good mix of content. That being said, we will take into account your comments as we make choices in the future.

Below is an assortment of your feedback on our Britney-and-the-media question. Thanks again for your contributions.

— Denise Hazlick, msnbc.com Entertainment editor

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Enough Britney coverage
The press needs to back off. Of course they are partially to blame for her problems. I've decided to stop reading tabloids, because I can't support the stalking that they do in order to provide the stories and photos. It is the public's responsibility to send a message to the media that they have respect for celebrities as human beings.
— Holly, North Kingstown, RI

I read Britney stories not because I really care about her personal life, but because I'm concerned that the press obviously has the legal freedom to push any celebrity to suicide if they want to, and then publish a blockbuster story about that too when it happens. This is nothing but corruption, caused by the drive to make money, and while the First Amendment does say “freedom of the press,” the 14th Amendment says “a right to privacy.” If I were Britney's parents, I'd use my temporary control over her money to hire a team of lawyers, and I'd sue the hell out of those tabloids which have paid the paparazzi to do what they've done to her. They're paid to trespass right over a person's boundaries just because the person is famous, and that should be against the law.
— Charlie, Mobile, Ala.

I finally have realized that I bear some responsibility for contributing to Britney Spears' spiral downward, in that each time I purchase a tabloid, I am then encouraging the media to continue to exploit her, because I am creating the demand for more pics in order to sell more movie rags. I have stopped buying any of the tabloids, and I wish others would do the same. I will no longer be purchasing such material.
— Barbara, Washington

I feel Britney is troubled right now and should be left alone to get the care she needs. Although, I have always been a fan of Britney's professional life, I do not feel it is appropriate for the paps to hound, harass and humiliate any celebrity. I believe it almost borders slander when printed. I do not believe media outlets should be able to buy and profit from celebrities personal lives. It makes the paps extremely hostile and they bring along their volatile, violent atmosphere. I believe it should be law that celebrities cannot be photographed with their children without written consent. It is no wonder she doesn't feel safe. She had 2 children in 2 years, got a divorce and is going through a nasty custody battle. She can't use the restroom or twist an ankle without the whole world knowing about it. I believe the media thinks the citizens of the United States care more than we actually do about her personal life. That would take a toll on any woman, especially a 26 year old who's watched, judged and scrutinized at every move. We care about the celebrities that are helping the world. That is contagious! Show the good sides of the people love to see in our TV shows and movies. You guys want a REAL STORY? HELP Britney. Encourage her to do what she's best at. At least right now, let her see the good memories of her life on television instead of “the demise of Britney” stories I'm sure she sees. Let her be a mother in peace.
— Lisa B., Dallas

In my opinion, if I never hear another word about Britney Spears for the rest of her life, it'll still be too many words.
— Michael, Atlanta, Ga.

I think they should just leave her alone I am so sick & tired of hearing about her on the news. I don't even read stories about her anymore. Instead of breaking her spirits we should be trying to help her, or just leave her alone, let her have some privacy. I know it's hard on her because she has lost her kids & having everyday of your life played on the news makes it even worse. So I ask you to please stop printing or running stories on Britney. Thanks.
— Lisa, Louisville, Ky.

The media should focus on real news and stop endangering innocent citizens with their crazy behavior. I don't have the expertise to comment on how or whether it contributes to her illness. The law needs to crack down on photogs who are breaking the law and endangering people. Glad that that's starting to happen, because they target even the celebrities that don't play up to them. If this was a regular person with someone following them around there'd be a lawsuit for harassment. I agree with George Clooney, they are endangering people needlessly over a trip to Starbucks!
— Jenn, Greenville, NC

Thank you! This was a great article. Media should not have the right to stalk and harass anyone. I think there should be some legislation about a celebrity’s right to say 30 feet of personal space. You don't need to be 6 inches away from someone to get a good shot. Back off those people and let them live their lives. NO ONE else in our society would ever have to put up with that kind of interference in their lives, why should celebrities???
— Dawn, Bismarck, ND

I cannot know the degree of the media's impact on Britney's mental health deterioration, but it is a factor. Can you imagine living with that intrusive circus, day in and day out? Add on to that her other social stressors: divorce, alcohol abuse, loss of custody (if temporary or not) and absolutely no privacy outside her home, and it's easy to understand that a pre-existing condition like Bipolar disorder would exacerbate. And our narcissistic culture looks on with some kind of perverted delight, fueling the insanity of the “reality show” mentality. We have no right to stalk anyone with or without cameras. How is it when it is couched as celebrity news, there is no stalking? No violation of that person's right to live in peace? Sick, sick, sick.
— M. Fahrenkrug, Bloomington, Ind.

Yes, I think the press should back off. I have noticed that they are like roosters in a chicken yard, always sparring for top position and willing to mangle and spur anything in their path. Whether it was accidentally tripping and nearly falling while holding her child or merely not looking as skinny as a stick, she was criticized. I noticed that when the same things happened with other, more popular stars, these things were pretty well dismissed. I do feel the media is partially to blame for her problems. I think the media accelerated her mental illness. Yes, of course, ultimately we are all responsible for our own behavior, but all things and all people are not created equal. Our coping skills and our sensitivity naturally vary. People should be treated with civility and not tormented beyond belief. Why do I read Britney stories? How can I not? They are everywhere -- Internet, newspaper, magazines in the checkout lane, TV -- you name it. I succumb to temptation but comfort myself by the realization that I “take things with a grain of salt” and am a kind and sympathetic person by nature. Sometimes I just would like to be able to give that girl a comforting pat and tell her to hang in there.
— Nikki, Jerseyville, Ill.

You can't be serious. EVERYONE on the Internet has been sick of her. You people just keep shoving it on our face. Not much we can do when every magazine or news article we read had her printed all over. I mean, do we really need to know every time she brushes her teeth? NO.
— Jamie, Atlanta, Ga.

Please back off, I would rather read about her in a year -- getting it all back together -- rather than the daily coffee runs and hair color changes. I have really tried to avoid reading the daily updates, but it is like a car wreck -- and I can't help it! But, if she moved to Idaho with her dad, got help and made a comeback, I'd be happy to read about it. I pray that her parents retain control until she's truly on the right track.
— Kris

I don't know why you are even sending out this survey! Every survey response could say "STOP COVERING BRITNEY NOW" and you wouldn't. Not a lot of people really care about what some rich pop princess is going through when we have our own lives to keep together. It's overkill. And the media finds any angle they can to talk about it. The media should be ashamed at how they do this with Britney and the endless reports STILL on Anna Nicole's baby. Take some of that air time and include Broadway. A lot goes on there. But that isn't REAL entertainment to the media. Just girls showing their underwear getting out of cars!
— Greg, Denver

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