If you haven’t heard by now, Brittany Murphy passed away today. That’s going to be the last time I mention her name, because I don’t want to confuse her family’s tragedy with the useless crap that’s being reported on CNN.

We all went through it when we lost Michael Jackson, and now it’s happening all over again. CNN has 24 hours in a day that they have to fill with something. I don’t say news because at this point, what’s being reported isn’t news. The unexpected death of a celebrity has the power to turn a purported news organizations into a tabloid-esque, rumor-spewing, waste of garbage.

When someone dies unexpectedly, an autopsy is performed. I grew up watching Law & Order where a complete autopsy is done within minutes of finding the body, but in reality, a full autopsy takes longer than that. I’m being told that toxicology reports alone can take weeks. No right-minded doctor will make a determination on cause of death until all the facts are in, so, until then, we are in what I call the “Rumor, Rinse, Repeat” zone.

The “Rumor, Rinse, Repeat” zone is riddled with statements beginning with “the world mourns…”, but quickly followed by “we’re seeing reports that cocaine/anorexia/H1N1/prescription drugs maybe have been involved”. First off, “we’re seeing reports”? What the hell does that mean? A report by a low level intern with nothing better to do? I’ve come to dismiss statements that begin with:

• We’re seeing reports…
• There are those who say…
• Certain experts conjecture…

Second, I get it -it’s tough having to be on air for 24 hours a day and have stories that aren’t developing. But what I’m seeing on CNN is just despicable. Here’s how it breaks down:

1. Start spreading rumors under the protection of your vague statements like “we’re seeing reports”
2. Once they start to dry up, rinse yourself off.
3. Now repeat the same story but with a new rumor.

How about you stop wasting my time with useless reporting, and start spending time covering important topics. How about an honest debate about healthcare? Get me two people on screen that can speak professionally, eloquently, and thoroughly on the virtues different healthcare systems.

Stop pandering to me, and start informing me.