I know that hyper-sensationalized, knee-jerk speculation is a hallmark of the American news media these days, but is anyone else finding themself bothered by the premature assumptions surrounding Heath Ledger's death? Particularly with regard to his character? Accidental OD or not (or by something unseen and yet to be discovered), prescription sleeping meds and a benzo bottle (or two?) found in his apartment don't make him a weak, second-rate human being. The subtle inference portrayed by some media outlets aggrivates me. I wasn't a Heath follower, per se, but the kid was clearly gifted and bright (with or without a sustance abuse history). I'm battling through the first (and hopefully last) major depressive episode of my life and I'm getting increasingly frustrated by the stigmas surrounding anxiety and depression (and the meds that help us recover). Tired of the ignorance...

Peanut gallery -- opinions?

HopefulOne

maybe i'm not seeing the same shows you are -- or maybe i'm hearing things the way that i want to -- but i don't feel like they're making him out to be a bad person -- just a troubled person -- to me, it seems a completely different attitude than with the Brittney Spears situation.

i thought that the media did OK a few months ago when they reported Owen Wilson's problems.

i really liked Heath Ledger & everything they've said about him and showed just makes me like him more -- it makes me wish that any of us could have offered him some comfort during this time. even if he didn't over-dose on purpose -- i know what those kinds of med can do to you -- it would be easy to forget what you had already taken -- and when you can't sleep, sometimes you would do anything to get it.

I do hope most of the reports are more supportive and compassionate, as you've found, slw! I've heard a few harsh comments on CNN (from some tabloid style "talking faces") over the past couple days. Just ignorant.

Then there's the excessive air time that media outlets devote to the lives of celebs to begin with -- but that's a whole 'nuther' can of worms!

Regards,
HopefulOne

I don't usually watch CNN -- just the regular news & stuff like Inside Edition that comes on in the middle of our local news.

I don't really care what they say anyway -- all you need to do is look at those pictures with his daughter -- not looking much more than a kid himself -- and you can tell he was a nice guy -- having a few problems in your life doesn't make you a bad person -- to me it makes you a more real person and more likable.

I have an 18 year old son that has depression, anxiety, insomnia, etc -- and has felt suicidal -- so anyone that falls into that category, my heart goes out to like they were my own child -- so again, i might just not be hearing things the same way you are even if we're hearing the same thing.

Although I'm very sorry that this happened, if people become more aware about the effects of anxiety, insomnia, etc on people in general, some good could come of it. It would be nice if it helped people to be more open about things.

oh, Gosh, Heath Ledger is simply amazing.
I find myself feeling terribly guilty for not realising his worth when he was alive, and believing some of the premature statements said about his death. Now I miss him every day.