By Mary Larsh, Contributor
Mary Larsh, Contributor
It was as if someone had taken over her body. She lost the ability to control her words. Her speech was so inverted and garbled that it was as if she were speaking another language. As if that was not terrifying enough, she was reporting live on television and the cameras were forced to cut back to the station. The telecaster tried to cover and said, “doesn’t seem like she could quite spit it out does it?”
Serene Branson, CBS Los Angeles reporter, experienced stroke-like symptoms during a live post-Grammy Award newscast on Sunday, Feb. 13.
According to CBS Los Angeles, Branson was examined by paramedics on scene immediately after her broadcast. Her vital signs were normal, therefore she was not hospitalized.
Various media speculated she suffered from a stroke, seizure, or migraine, although it was confirmed Friday, Feb. 18 Branson’s symptoms were caused by a complicated migraine headache.
After the clip aired, it was instantly picked up on national news outlets and YouTube.
Fox News aired a segment on Feb. 14 describing how to detect a stroke.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, symptoms for strokes include numbness, trouble speaking, seeing, or walking, dizziness, and serious headaches.
Fox News took a proactive approach in covering Branson’s health scare. In this instance, airing the clip of Branson’s health was ethical because it bettered society. By using Branson’s experience as the example, society at large can be made aware of whatever the health problem might be.
The video went viral on YouTube. A video named “Serene Branson: Grammy Reporter Gibberish” has claimed 795,444 hits as of Feb. 19.
The person who posted the video also posted a comment. He said, “I saw this happen while watching TV. I thought it was insane, posted it, then it turns out that she may have had a stroke. That’s a bummer, however, she is okay now.”
The posting of Branson’s health scare was not ethically sound. The person who posted this video was ignorant and insensitive.
Through the Fox News segment, airing her garbled speech will help society detect a stroke or health problem as it is happening. The Branson gibberish YouTube video encouraged society to laugh as if having a possible stroke were funny. A health problem severe enough to make your speech uncontrollable was scary enough and should be taken seriously and not made into a nationwide joke.
Think before you post on YouTube. Branson’s on-air health scare should not subject her to public ridicule.
Others have gotten massive YouTube attention, but is it ethical? “David After Dentist” has received almost 82 million hits after being posted on YouTube two years ago. David was hallucinating after receiving drugs from the dentist. His dad was videotaping him and encouraging the abnormal behavior. David was seen screaming sadistically in the back seat of a car and asking his father “is this real life?”
Unfortunately, David, as well as Branson, will be known for their involuntary behavior or health problem shown on the viral YouTube videos.
Unlike Branson’s video, David’s video was not picked up by the national media to serve a better purpose. His video was apparently shown for pure entertainment value, although its value was debatable and in poor taste. He will probably always be known for his weird outburst after his trip to the dentist. His reputation, whether he likes it or not, will be labeled forever as ‘David After Dentist.’
No one’s reputation should suffer for something out of their control. Don’t post a YouTube video that could damage someone’s well-being or cause them ridicule.
