On Friday, September 30th, YouTubers Colleen Ballinger and Joshua Evans announced through two separate videos that they were getting a divorce. Colleen, known for the infamous Miranda Sings character, met Joshua online 8 years ago when he messaged her after watching one of her YouTube videos, and since then the two have kept their fans updated on every aspect of their lives both in and out of the relationship. Through YouTube, Joshleen (their 'ship' name) fans have had the opportunity to see the couple fall in love, get engaged, and get married. So it came as quite a shock when the two announced their separation.
Though the couples divorce took me by surprise as well, what really shocked me was the immense amount of disrespect for privacy that came from the media outlets to follow the announcement. These two individuals are very clearly hurting, as they both poured their heart out on camera to tell their fans that they are separated, or at least in the process of doing so. For two people that are keen to producing comedy close to every day, it takes a whole lot for them to be vulnerable- especially to an audience of millions. Yet, still, it is so easy for media outlets to manipulate the news and exploit rumors to the public as click bate. For example, if you type in "Colleen Ballinger" on YouTube, the first thing to come up isn't her channel OR one of her videos, it is a video posted by Clevver News in which they address the rumor that Josh is gay. Whether Josh is gay or not, that is nobodies business but his. If he had released some sort of statement saying so, then this would be a different story. But to label someone based on their failed marriage simply doesn't cut it, no matter what "news outlet" you report or write for (and I say news outlet lightly, because this isn't news- its just bullshit). The worst part of the video is when Ryland Adams (one of the reporters), stated "You guys, don't get mad at us for talking about this. I know Colleen wanted everyone to respect their privacy, but of course we're a news outlet and this is what we do." How dare somebody consider themselves a journalist when they deliberately disrespect a person's wishes, and then gloat about it? Does being part of a news outlet make it okay for you to talk shit? Does it make it okay for you to spread rumors? That is not journalism, that is bullying. That is lying. That is what is corrupt with social media.
I am a journalist and I promise to never exploit someone's personal life or disrespect their wishes. I am a journalist and I promise to provide accurate news that does not hurt an individual. I am a journalist and I promise not to use being a journalist as an excuse for being a bitch. I am a journalist, but most importantly- I am a human being and so are Colleen and Joshua. So let's start treating them like people rather than celebrities.
