Sadly, Liam Payne Is Dead and So Is Ethical Journalism
Yes, I'm looking at you, TMZ.
It’s a sad day for One Direction fans — myself included. Liam Payne tragically died on October 16, 2024, after falling from a third-floor balcony of the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The former One Direction singer was 31 years old and is survived by his 7-year-old son, Bear Payne, whom he welcomed in March 2017 with ex Cheryl Cole. The news of the British musician’s death broke on social media, with various outlets and fans posting around 5 p.m. ET. However, it was an article shared by TMZ that allegedly confirmed his death, but in the most distasteful way — by sharing a photo of his dead body — unnecessary and uncalled for.
Writing this post feels weird. I’m not sure how to even describe this feeling. Though I was not a major fan of Liam Payne, especially after all the recent negative claims against him, I was a hardcore 1D fan growing up. I became a fan in November 2011, and those years hold such a special place in my heart. So, finding out about a member’s unexpected death was heartbreaking in so many ways. It felt like a piece of my adolescence died. I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t. I’m just glad I have great memories like meeting him nearly 12 years ago in New York City.
I discovered the news through two of my best friends, whom I befriended in high school because of One Direction. At approximately 5:22 p.m. ET, the group chat began blowing up. At first, we thought it was a sick rumor, a hoax. “How could he be reported dead when he had just posted a Snapchat selfie with his girlfriend 43 minutes ago?” we asked each other and ourselves. It was all so strange. I kept looking on Twitter (I refuse to call it X) to see if any major outlets posted about Liam’s death, as mainly Spanish-language accounts had spread the news by that point. Nothing had officially been confirmed. I kept refreshing my Twitter feed, and there it was. At 5:38 p.m. ET, the now-infamous TMZ article went live.
TMZ is barely ever wrong, except that one time when they falsely reported that Lil Wayne was dying in March 2013. Maybe because they lost some credibility then, they felt the need to share the insensitive photo to confirm that Liam was in fact, dead. There was no trigger warning. There was a photo of his left arm and abdomen, which offered a clear view of his recognizable tattoos. His lifeless body was just lying there on the ground. I thought it was so disrespectful; it completely ignores ethics in journalism. TMZ began getting a lot of backlash online, which is probably why the photo has now been deleted from the original article.
The news of Liam’s death was shared online so fast, so I wouldn’t be shocked that this is how his loved ones found out about his passing. I can’t imagine being a relative and finding out like that, especially with those photos made public. He was a son, a father, a brother, a friend, a boyfriend, and a beloved musician to many. However, so many publications forget that. No, scratch that. They know, at least they should. But they care more about generating shock value and clicks, and this is why journalism is dead, or at least it feels like it.
I first wanted to become a journalist to be a voice for the voiceless. To express myself and spark conversations. To help or inspire a community in some way. But lately, journalism hasn’t been about that. It’s becoming a tasteless and selfish world where doing the respectable thing is ignored because, in the eyes of many, it won’t get clicks, therefore, it won’t generate money, resulting in mass layoffs.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt forced to publish a cringe headline for clickbait or the times I’ve had to go back and forth with a senior editor when I didn’t feel comfortable publishing an article with my name because the headline was misleading or insensitive. In some ways, I get it. Thinking, “I don’t want to get fired, so let me not speak up.” But then I’ve thought to myself, “Wait a minute, no. Giving in would be betraying everything I stand for and believe in.” If I don’t have a moral compass or integrity, what do I really have?
As journalists, we shouldn’t aim for shock value unless it helps get a purposeful message across. In some instances, shock value is OK as long as it’s done respectfully. You know when it’s necessary? When the world turns its back on Gaza and refuses to believe in the unjustified murders going on. Because people either ignore or refuse to believe a genocide is happening in our world today. So, sharing a gruesome photo of an innocent child is the only way you feel like maybe you won’t get ignored, like maybe someone will listen and try to help … Because unfortunately, words aren’t enough. And in that case, photos don’t feel like enough either because if it were, it wouldn’t still be happening. But we don’t need to see Liam Payne’s dead body in a sleazy TMZ article. Shock value needs to be done with good intent only.
Since launching this blog, I’ve learned that integrity still wins as long as you can keep it real. I’m proud of my tone and writing in this blog because while it’s more commentary and may be deemed unprofessional, it’s real and raw. It’s my voice, unapologetically me. No bullshit. And that’s what journalism needs today. If you think about it, it’s why TikTok is thriving. People want to see truth, realness, vulnerability, humanity, and emotion. It is what makes us relate to each other. It unites us instead of creating this separation.
Journalism is dying because it is stripping us of our humanity. We all should always strive to be compassionate no matter what. Journalists and outlets, please do better.
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