What the media got wrong when reporting Nancy Ajram's house robbery

Lebanese media outlets were quick to report on the story of an armed robber who broke into Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram's house and was shot by her husband, Fadi El Hachem, after making his way to their kids' bedroom on Saturday. 

Merely hours after the horrific incident took place, a surveillance recording of the shooting along with a voice-over by El Hashem himself breaking down the scene circulated online and off via news agencies, chat apps like WhatsApp, and social media platforms. 

While it may be expected of the general public to impulsively share the video along with their opinion, it certainly isn't ethical for media outlets to treat it as a breaking news story, one they want to gather leads on as quickly and haphazardly as possible. 

In the "interview" with MTV, a reporter validated Ajram's probable unstable mental health yet affirmed all she needs is "one statement" to assure the viewers. 

Trying to hold back tears, the singer is seen thanking people for their support and reassuring everyone that she and her kids are safe. But that's all she could really say. With her voice breaking, she added: "I can't really talk right now." 

First and foremost, the viewers could have easily been just as assured without actually seeing the singer and hearing her speak. Because if they truly did care about Ajram and her wellbeing, they would respect her need for privacy and understand how difficult it must be to go through such an incident, even without millions of people knowing about it. 

In the video of the full report by MTV, the reporter casually strolls around the premises of Ajram's house, attempting to show the viewers how the story unfolded. She then opens a balcony door - to demonstrate how the robber got in - and reveals the inside of the house. Later during the video, we see what the villa looks like on the outside as well. 

It's worth noting that in another report by LBC news, footage of the villa on both the outside and inside were revealed as well. 

Ironically, detailed information regarding the celebrity's home was just made public by a report on an armed robbery. Are they purposely trying to invite more potential harm their way? Even though they might be small and seemingly harmless blunders, the media is cunningly sensationalizing a clearly private and harrowing situation, all while profiting off of people's obsession with celebrity news.

While reporting on the incident, many media outlets did not hold back from reporting that the burglar's nationality is Syrian, a key piece of information that is apparently only relevant when the antagonist in the story isn't Lebanese. 

Shortly after the news started circulating, people began taking sides as to whether or not El Hashem did the "right" thing when he shot the robber, and even started the hashtag "Free Fadi El Hashem" in response to him being issued an arrest warrant, which is merely procedural protocol. 

When you allow the general public access to private information, don't be too surprised at how they'll respond. 

"Now if someone falls victim of a disaster, people will start talking and being philosophical about what he should have done and what he shouldn't have done [...] Doctor Fadi, Nancy's husband, is a hero and you're the spiteful ones spewing your stupidity behind your phones," virtual social media celebrity, Adeela, tweeted on the matter.

"Those few unconscionable and ill-mannered people should decrease their theories and talks and watch the video showing the whole truth [...] Fadi Hachem is the most noble man for what he did to protect his family and should be released quickly," Lebanese singer Elissa commented.  

"Self-defense has rules and doesn't require 16 bullets."

"You didn't choose to steal other than Nancy's jewelry and gold? You should have went to Ahlam's room."

These are just a few of thousands of reactions published and shared online, where people are posting even more troubling opinions on the incident.