Yeah if every harmful thing constituted the "true character" of someone, we'd all be sinners. Granted, if a lot of harm is done, then it might be fair. (Cue the knee-jerk "isn't dragging a hero's name through the mud a lot of harm?"; I don't know, can you tell me what
wouldn't qualify as a "lot of harm" under your worldview? Everyone knows the diver was a hero and if you have evidence his life is affected, pls share)
It's just negativity bias; considering the negative to be "more true" or accurate than the positive.