This article was originally published on trendingthat.com and has been republished here with permission.
The death of former One Direction member Liam Payne has stunned fans and the music industry. Payne’s terrible death after falling from a third-floor balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has triggered worldwide mourning.
As people struggled to digest the tragic news, another debate erupted, inciting public fury. This time, the target was TMZ, the celebrity news website, over a decision that many people found very distressing.
TMZ published photos of Payne’s body, including areas of his arm and waist decorated with his famous tattoo designs. The photographs, shot shortly after his death, sparked outrage online.
Public personalities such as Rylan Clark and Alessia Cara led the charge, criticizing TMZ for what they perceived as a blatant violation of privacy.
Clark vented his rage on X (previously Twitter), writing: “TMZ, shame on you. Disgrace.”
Many followers expressed similar feelings, calling the choice “beyond deplorable.”
The photographs, which were released only hours after Payne’s death, showed his body on a wooden deck of the hotel where he fell.
TMZ soon withdrew the photographs, but the harm was already done.
Critics charged the outlet of insensitivity and moral dislike, particularly given the date of the publishing.
The photographs also showed a police tent erected up over Payne’s remains.
The outcry grew as fans and celebrities expressed their displeasure with the news outlet’s coverage of the incident.
Despite the enormous backlash, TMZ maintained its decision.
Michael Babcock, the site’s executive producer, justified the choice, citing the logic behind the posting.
In an interview with Fox 5 New York, Babcock confirmed that the photographs did not show Payne’s face but were used to identify him based on his tattoos.
He insisted that the photographs were only used to authenticate Payne’s identity before police did so.
“There’s a balance… you want to be sensitive to the family and to the friends,” Babcock told me.
He also stated that the images were removed as soon as officials formally confirmed Payne’s identification.
This explanation, however, did little to change public opinion.
Many others continued to claim that it was not TMZ’s job to identify the body.
One fan commented, “It’s not TMZ’s job to ‘identify’ the body.
That is the job of the police/coroner.” Another person commented, “Whoever sold the original image is equally to blame.”
As the days passed, TMZ continued to justify its activities, claiming that they were in the public’s interest. However, for many, the outlet’s rationale fell short, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of bereaved followers.
Liam Payne, who originally rose to prominence with One Direction before launching a successful solo career, was adored by millions.
His untimely death has left a great gap, and TMZ’s choice to publish the photographs has only added to the heartache.
Following Payne’s death, the public continues to mourn while debating the media’s responsibility in dealing with such sensitive circumstances. For many, this scandal serves as an unsettling reminder of the cost of celebrity and the questions of ethics that follow.
Featured Image Credit: (Instagram/@liampayne)
