(Update: ABC News has apologized for the aerial shots.)
Immediately after the shocking death by apparent suicide of Oscar-winning actor Robin Williams, his family released a statement in which they asked for “privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.” ABC News followed this with a red banner on their homepage reading, “Watch Live: Aerials of Robin Williams‘ Home.”
Also read: Steven Spielberg, Chris Columbus, Bill Cosby React to Robin Williams’ Shocking Death
Screenshots of the banner, which could be seen above an article including the family’s privacy request, quickly went viral, leading to a storm of social media outrage. ABC News did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
We do not need to watch live aerial footage of Robin Williams‘ home and ABC News should not be doing/promoting it. pic.twitter.com/JJ90Yoevsj
— Andy Castro (@21royalstreet) August 12, 2014
Robin Williams‘ Suicide Has Family Requesting Privacy, Media Promises Live Aerial Videos Of Their Home – http://t.co/PTLLFHUQ5K
— Inquisitr News (@theinquisitr) August 12, 2014
WTF is wrong with the idiots at @ABC for doing a live aerial view over Robin Williams‘ house after the story broke??
— Nick The FN Icon (@NickTheFNicon) August 12, 2014
Just want to mention it’s absolutely disgusting that there’s an aerial view of Robin Williams‘ house. Leave the family be.
— Anissa (@_nissax3) August 12, 2014
The fact that @ABC would even think to offer live aerial views of Robin Williams‘ home is sickening. Both them as news org & us as a society
— Leo Cohen (@beardrivecar) August 12, 2014
Hey, @ABC : Robin Williams‘ family asked for privacy. Maybe lose the live aerial feed of his house on http://t.co/eyRKqrVSOt? Seriously.
— Michael Snead (@Mr_Snead) August 12, 2014
Dear @ABC, what does an “Aerial shot” over Robin Williams home do for the story?. And you call yourselves journalist?. #YellowJournalism
— LaMott Jackson (@lamottjackson) August 12, 2014
#abcnews is currently the scum of the earth. Live aerial coverage of the home of Robin Williams‘ family. #notok
— Lewis Sayblack (@LoudoggTheFunk) August 12, 2014
Think its unprofessional and disgusting that @abcnews have a live aerial on their website of a helicopter above Robin Williams‘ house!
— Declan McCloskey (@declankilrea) August 11, 2014
Shame on @ABC for having live aerial views of Robin Williams‘ home. Is there no such thing as privacy in a period of grieving anymore?
— Connor (@consheff) August 11, 2014