Rihanna: Too little or too much coverage?

by allison ~ March 10, 2009

It made headlines across the world when TMZ leaked the photo of Rihanna and Chris Brown on February 8. A few tumultuous weeks - and multiple magazine covers detailing the couple’s split - went by before last weekend’s bombshell that Rihanna and Brown are back together.

This situation has gotten a firestorm of press, from basically every imaginable angle.  But what is appropriate coverage when dealing with a domestic abuse case? Does the public have the right to know what Brown did to Rihanna? Does raising awareness and attention through the media do something positive - or does it cause too much pain to the victim?

Oprah voiced her strong opinion on this matter in a show on March 6. According to the New York Daily News, “Rihanna’s reported reconciliation with Brown after her Feb. 8 pummeling sparked an outpouring of debate, controversy and motherly advice.”Love doesn’t hurt,” Winfrey said on her show Friday, while announcing she will dedicate a program this week to discussing domestic violence. “I want to do a show about it, dedicated to all the Rihannas of the world.” Speaking directly into the camera, Winfrey said, “If a man hits you once, he will hit you again. He will hit you again.”

Some criticized Oprah for speaking out while others agreed with her.  It seems that the most prevailing opinion on this matter though is that it should be covered - one way or the other. Even Harvey Levin, the founder of gossip website TMZ, blasted The New York Times this weekend for the storied paper’s lack of Rihanna/Chris Brown coverage.  “People are interested in this case,” Levin said on CNN’s “Reliable Sources.”

So, just what is fair game when dealing with domestic abuse in the public eye?  I’d like to hear from you!

Allison Berger is on staff at Mediashop Public Relations and holds a BA in Communications Studies from University of Iowa.