Should Big Brother inform contestants of tragedies?

This seems like something that should be agreed upon before participation. I'm not too familiar with the show, but I have no idea how learning about tragedies would affect the game.

Absolutely they should be told... they should certainly be informed of anything significant that might be personally relevant to them.

Tough call, if that is what the family told the producer. Perhaps this was discussed between the contestant and her family before hand?? But then again, that would mean a disruption of the show....who knows. But, I do believe the contestant should have been told of her father's passing. I would hate to think that profit came before the contestant's family.

They should be told and I see why not

If they choose to be. Before they go on the show, they should say whether they want to be informed or not.

Definitely personal tragedies.
In the miniseries Frontier House- NOT a reality show, people lived the life of frontier people 1800's. They were told about 9/11 and incorporated a special flag of the era for their celebration coming up.
When they did Colonial House a girl was told about her fiance's death. She left but came back later.

Similar stuff has happened before, I would think that there would be some clauses in the contract they sign that cover what to do. That seems like the best solution, have the contestants and producers agree via contract what to do in cases like this.

Yes I think they should be told of national/international tragedies as well as family/friends tragedies - especially family ones. I can't believe that happened. I'm an Aussie, I hadn't heard of this until this survey.

They should be told of national/international tragedies, as well as family/friends tragedies. I remember seeing the episode of Big Brother where they told them about 9/11. One of the contestants was from NYC and had friends that worked in the WTC.

Anyhow, I think that's horrible they didn't tell her of her father's death. I'd be so pissed if that happened to me. It's also hard for me to believe her family wouldn't want her to know, but I guess some people are different. If I were on there and something like that happened, I'd leave the show to be with my family. The hell with money. Family comes first.

I'm guessing that they agree to this beforehand.

My grandparents both died (the last two, the first two were dead already) when I was on a four month trip around the world. I didn't find out until I got home. That was fine. I knew they probably would because they were both in pretty bad shape when I left. If you read the article in the link, it tells a fairly similar story.

I just picked "Other". I really don't care what they do on television shows like that. But as I said, I would imagine that this kind of stuff is all sorted out beforehand. They would probably sign an agreement to the terms. So if that's what they agreed to...

If the education system failed to educate the contestants about tragedies I fail to see how this is Endemol's fault.

If it's true they followed the family's wishes the family should be under fire, not Endemol.
I don't understand the family's decision by the way.

They should be informed of national/international tragedies if they're really important.
Regarding personal stuff that should be left up to the contenstent to decide.

Any one who watches these "unreal, fantasy, un-Reality Shows" should be boiled in oil... If I wanted reality I will look out the door...and wasting my life watching something that is nowhere near reality is something I do not want to do...

Personally, I think they should put them in a house filled with weapons and the last living one wins..now that would be a good reality show.... So why tell these idiots anything?

In this situation she and her family made a decision before hand not to be notified so I think it is fine that Big Brother hasn’t told her.

I loved that show (what few of them I seen). I could never keep track of the day and time it came on.

Yes they should be told!! TV is just a big game - there's a real life out there that's worth more than ratings!

They should be told.

They should be told of national and international tragedies on the order of 9/11, major hurricanes, Madrid bombings, even VA Tech, etc-- which should be a judgment call. Same with friends and family, unless they have a good reason not to. Though I would give the producers some benefit of the doubt since they got a job to do. I think they were right in this case.

I'd say she set herself into this and her family must know what her wishes would be. You would think so anyway.
They should abide by the families wishes or have pre signed papers regarding this.

I think they should be told of family and friend tragedies, unless they leave specific instructions with the producers that they don't want to know. This family speaking for this woman is sure taking a risk by making this decision for her. I cannot imagine not being told something as important as my father dying.

That would be a good reality show. And I have to agree with you on almost the whole 'reality show' thing. I like watching 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition', and 'What Not to Wear'. But some people might put those in a different category.

I personally think it should have been kept a secret from the general public and that channel seven's Sunrise should have kept their noses out of channel ten's business instead of trying to play mind games about whose reality tv is most ethical. Though I think it has most to do with the person and the circumstances or their families death. This particular contestant was apparently estranged from her father and they didn't have a long time relationship also the family requested that this contestant not be told. Also at the end of the day who'll be the one to support her through the loss of a family member, her family or the tv show that told her half way and leaves her to deal with it herself. I seriously doubt sunrise has her best interest at heart , what will they do send her flowers out of sympathy, I doubt it.

They should be told of family/friends tragedies, especially if the contestant wasn't aware going into the house that the tragedy could happen. Even though the family, in this case, did wish for her not to know, and the women was aware this might happen, the women not being given the chance to attend the funeral of her father seems harsh.
But national/international I don't think they should be told them as it doesn't affect them (unless, for example, the country's getting bombed and there's a chance the house they're in might be bombed)

Other. I don't follow "big brother" and don't know enough about it to care

this is an outrage (did I pick the right answer???)

They should be told, and what the hell is big brother

It depends on the situation - I understand that in this case the family had discussed the possibility with the contestant and she had indicated that she did not want to be told.