News anchors laugh at Wilson suicide report

Reuters

NO LAUGHING MATTER: Viewers have criticised a video clip of two newsreaders laughing during a report on Owen Wilson's alleged suicide attempt.

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Two American newsreaders who laughed during an item on Owen Wilson's alleged suicide attempt have been criticised by YouTube viewers.
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The clip shows ABC World News Now anchors Ryan Owens and Taina Hernandez laughing while covering news that Wilson had been hospitalised for a reported suicide attempt.

Hernandez can be heard in almost hysterics as she says: "Apparently he suffers from depression".

Hernandez later apologises for laughing, saying "we're not laughing at this story, we're just going to move along here".

Fellow newsreader Owens responds: "You're not going to tell them why you're laughing?"

"Oh, it's so immature, I think not," Hernandez says.

"I'll tell ya. Wilson has an uncle whose name is 'Hoe' ... and that just struck us as funny during the break."

The newsreaders have been criticised by viewers as being insensitive.

"That girl is horrible ... she should be ashamed of herself for her actions," said one.

"I found this clip to be in such poor taste," said another.

"They have no right to be anchoring a show. They are offensive in so many ways, and they make a poor, poor excuse for their ridiculous laughter."

Wilson, a big name Hollywood actor, has returned home after more than a week in hospital. He has asked for "time to heal" following reports that he cut his wrists and overdosed on drugs.