Journalistic Integrity

Since before Britney’s conservatorship, I’ve found the media coverage of her life quite triggering. It’s actually not something I talk about seriously very often, as it brings up difficult emotions. Much like it did when the tabloids first started the practice of ripping Britney apart for everything; from the size of her body to her parenting. It’s always upset me, to the point that I can’t seem to articulate the reasons why it makes me so livid. Nevertheless, it felt like now would be the appropriate time to express my feelings on how frustrating it is to watch the press abuse Britney, even now, after all she has endured.

We could start with the obvious. They stalk her, they harass her (and her family). Camp outside her house, stampede any attempt she makes to go shopping or have any sense of normalcy, to the point that she barely even tries any more. No matter what theory you believe on Britney’s level of freedom, we can all agree even if she is “free” from TeamCon, she can never leave her house or live a normal life. She’s trapped in a prison of her own fame. This is usually the point where whomever I may be trying to convince that Britney has been victimized this whole time will say something to the affect of, “Well, she wanted fame. That’s what you get.” And I will take the opportunity to remind you: her parents signed her record contracts. She didn’t have a choice in the matter. In-spite of the fact that the narrative was always heavily painted that Britney pushed her mother, Lynne, to help her achieve fame. Personally, I’ve never believed that, but that is just my opinion. A speculation.

It’s important that we call out when an opinion is presented as fact. This is not a soap opera. Britney is a person. It seems many have forgotten that as of late. It breaks my heart to think people close to Britney, that she trusts, are talking to writers that are trying to exploit her. There have been reports that she is using substances. And you know… that’s a great place to start my analysis on the complete lack of Journalistic Integrity when it comes to anything written about Britney, and lately it’s been particularly cruel and unnecessary.

It is my belief that Britney is not on any substances. I could give a laundry list of reasons why that is my belief, but I will spare you to say this: either way, how is that news? It’s not going to help her, or “save” her in any way. So, why report on it? One could argue that it’s a matter of TRUTH.

But here is one thing I know FOR A FACT:

It’s Britney’s truth. Not mine. Not yours. Anyone trying to take that away from her is wrong. Anyone trying to make a name for themselves, make a financial profit or in any other way serve themselves by talking about Britney’s well being, her healing, her trauma or her personal business: It’s wildly unfair. It’s wrong. I don’t have to harass people, I don’t have to push or antagonize, it’s a matter of fact. It’s Britney’s truth. Coming from anyone else, there’s no way to know what’s true and what’s not.

There are many other inappropriate topics that have been swirling around lately, and I especially struggle not to scream at the frustration of people talking about Britney’s children.

It’s repulsive. Those boys, or out of respect I should perhaps call them young men – but they have been through enough. Even for me, I normally don’t even speak about her children, but if someone’s going to violate their privacy, then I will make an exception.

Britney’s children are off limits. Period. They are minors and anyone trying to keep up with their personal business is a creep.

The fact that there will be a documentary featuring them this fall is criminal, truly it should be. IF the current allegations people are (inappropriately) making about Britney are true then just think of HOW MUCH WORSE that would make this. A bunch of adults try to encourage her sons to speak about her struggles on camera, to speak negatively about their mother, in exchange for money? How is that anything less than exploitation? It’s wrong on so many levels that I, like a lot of you, have had a tough time processing it. I almost shut down because I want to do the right thing. This isn’t our business. This will not save her, this would not save anyone. It’s abuse. Flat out. And I get stuck between “do I ignore it, as not to justify terrible behavior,” or “do I fight against this, and risk the focus being diverted from her case and the people that need to be held responsible?”

Again, if the rumors about Britney are true, she needs more love and privacy than ever. She needs to be with whomever she trusts most. And that is not us, even more so, not anyone that identifies as a journalist or reporter.

I could go on, and on, and on about all the reasons the most recent reports are exploitive – I could bullet point each incorrect, inaccurate and inappropriate speculation that’s been circulating… which is tempting, because you can’t just say “this is true,” and provide no sources, facts or proof, then get viciously defensive when you are called out, point blank, by those that read your words. That’s not how it works. I think each of us needs to use critical thinking, really use our minds and our hearts whenever someone speaks of Britney. You don’t need me to break it down, you know right from wrong. So, I will leave it here:

I’ve heard speculation that Britney lied about her pregnancy and miscarriage. Let’s really explore that allegation, shall we?

On the one hand, that allegation could be completely false. Just a flat out lie. Which would mean these “journalists” are making the most cruel claim against a woman grieving the child she lost. Having suffered a miscarriage, that hit me particularly hard. I cannot imagine anyone having the audacity to take such a painful experience and make it even worse. There are also (scientifically speaking) many ways to suffer a miscarriage. Hysterical pregnancy and endoscopic pregnancy, for example. There is no way for anyone, besides Britney, to know what the real truth is.

The other scenario: she made it all up.

To which I say, so fucking what!? What the hell do you care? How on earth is anyone affected by a woman that suffered a huge trauma making up a lie that hurts NO ONE? Is it illegal? Will it matter at all? Will you still be able to grab a coffee, head to work and go on with your life? Because from all I can see, that would be a harmless lie, coming from a woman that is feeling deep levels of pain.

Nothing I have said here was cruel, nothing I have said was untrue. I am not harassing, nor have I ever, harassed any of the “journalists” that insist on profiting off of Britney’s personal life and invading her privacy. If someone is going to lie – we, The Britney Army, will call them out.

I encourage everyone to rise above the disrespect and lies from the media and approach this issue with love, compassion and understanding. Obviously anyone looking at Britney’s mental health is trying to deflect. They are projecting their own insecurities of not being okay, they are miserable and honestly, I believe that they think this is being truthful. It’s not. Truth would be reporting on Lou Taylor. Truth would be writing an article on the new Judge, Judge Ana Maria Luna, overseeing Britney’s case. Truth would be investigating the person you claim is controlling her phone, because her being unable to access her phone seems newsworthy, why not report on that? Britney Spears does not need to be saved by a reporter, a stranger. Britney needs respect.

We are all above the hate, the negativity and lies. We are here to support Britney, to fight for her to finally get the justice she deserves, because she certainly deserves so much better than this.

The Britney Army will always defend Britney, but make no mistake: Although she is our Queen, she is human being, first and foremost.

🫡