Michael Jackson's Death Causes Shark-Like Media Frenzy

June 25, 2009

I was not much of a Michael Jackson fan when I was growing up, although the video for "Thriller" did catch my eye when I was in fifth grade or thereabouts. Being a huge horror fan, anything with zombies in it was cool to me both then and still is now. That being said, I was not going to write anything about Michael's death, as it is not a crime to die; however, after watching the news for an hour, I became annoyed by some of the coverage of his death.

I watched heart specialists describing what Jackson's final moments would have been like, financial experts debating the value of his estate, psychologists speculating on how his children will cope, and lawyers speculating on who will obtain custody of the kids. One commentator even went so far as to question whether Jackson - an alleged believer in cryogenics - would be frozen. Then, of course, you have all the live feeds of his home and the hospital to which he had been taken.

Must see TV, for sure.

I am all about freedom of the press, but I also believe there is a certain way to tell a story at a time like this. Why not report the facts in a respectful and sensitive manner? Just because someone is a celebrity does not mean that when he or she dies, the person’s entire life should be picked apart on live TV while the family is trying to cope with the loss. If you really feel the need to know all of those things, fine, but now is not the time to pick apart his entire life. Give the family some space.

On the flipside of mainstream journalism, several Internet forums and sites have already begun celebrating Jackson's death. Some of the headlines I have seen include: The Pedophile Freak is Dead, Famous Pedo Bites the Dust, and Reclusive Pedophile Dies.

I'm sorry, but does anyone but me see a problem with those headlines? Was Jackson a criminal? I don't know. I was not there; however, a jury of his peers did acquit him on all counts. Regardless of whether he was guilty, hateful articles about him do nothing but hurt his family and children, who are entirely innocent of the allegations. I'm sorry, but I am not one who believes that the children should bear the sins of their father. Jackson's past should have no relevance to anything that happened today.

In closing, it is unfortunate that the King of Pop's family must bear not only the burden of his death, but also the weight of all the publicity they are facing at a time when they should be allowed to mourn in private. To cover his death in a tasteful manner is one thing, but to exploit it for ratings and page views is something altogether different, and those outlets which do that should be ashamed of themselves.

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Comments

[kanina]

what a crazy day. RIP Mikey

[Kristen]

I turned on my TV to CNN and it is all over the news. At one point about 5 minutes into watching it They showed a picture of Michael Jackson when they were trying to resesitate him. All I could think of how sad for his family. Turned the TV. off !!! . I think it is pretty sad that even in death that Celebrities and There family Can Not have Any Privacy.
Tastefull would be nice...But not in todays world i suppose.

[Sam Wagner]

Perez Hilton earlier posted that Michael was faking it....then he changed his blog and said how sad he was for the family and friends of Michaels. What a hypocrite Perez Hilton is. He just got another black eye.

[Caroline]

I could not have said it better. Thanks.

[Kenny K.]

I was not a fan either but I agree they are going too far.

[oman]

what a tragic case.

[S.M.]

so sad. i grew up watching him.

[Kevin]

i agree. the media should back off. his family needs privacy right now.

[Lauren]

im sooo sooo sorryy about micheal jackson dieing!

[Faith]

heyy, im so sorry to here about his life ending.
im so sorry about his loss of lifee,
hope his family and friends are all okayy, he led a brillant lifee,
All My lovvee (L)
Lovee Youu Micheal ;x;x;x;x;x;x;x;x
oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxxooxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoox

[courtney]

hi michael, im so sorry about your loss of life, i really hope your family and friends are ok, i send my regards to anybody that knew you and i just want to say sorry for it, you led a great life and it would have been great to see you live, but you cant have everything eh? i really hope you get a nice sending off, it will be nice to give you a nice sending off, after all the joy you have brung us fans! I had a tear in my eye when i read the Breaking News, but i know i have your album and everytime i think you Michael i shall put my favourite Michael Jackson song on witch is They Don't Care About us, hope your okay up there michael, hope you enjoyed your life you had. its a ashame you had to go the way you did. xxxx

[EricW]

You're giving Perez Hilton far more credit than he deserves. He only became respectful after his customary snark burned him in the worst possible way, then he did the Ministry of Truth routine and tried to erase it.

Exhibit A: http://earsucker.com/2009/06/25/perez-hilton-insensitive-to-michael-jackson-tragedy/

A thoroughly unpleasant incident, to say the least, leaving a black mark on an already dark day for a lot of people.

[Kellie]

i am dissapointed in the media.

[Gisele]

Good for you David. This type of media frenzy happens everytime someone passes and the larger the star the longer this type of stuff is displayed. I believe the media has a strong influence on a large part of our culture in a very negative way. I understand freedom of the press but i believe there are ways to prove that this is not within what "freedom of the press" means. There has to be a way that this type of media can be criminal how it hurts loved ones. It also stirs up society and feed them with this type of rubbish.

I was a Michael Jackson, Jackson 5 fan since I was young. They were talented and it saddens me that he is gone as if anyone else would pass.

I do think, however, that he is finally at peace from this place we call our world. This world can be a very difficult place to live in with media etc....

Thank you David.

[shiva]

you're alwas in my heart michael...love you forever :(:(:((((((

[Mary]

It is very sad that Michael Jackson has left this way. Probably he will be happier wherever he is. My heart goes to his family & friends. We will MISS U Michael....

[Kim]

The media has so much to report on, instead they decide to report for days on a politician who cheated on his wife, further tormenting her and his family for days and days and then Micheal and Farrah die and it will be non-stop montauges of them for days, with all kinds of people coming forward with new stories about MJ. I hate Perez Hilton.

[f0rTyLeGz]

David,

There is nothing more snarky than a blogger coming off as a universal editor saying, "'They' ought to be more respectful."

[Felicia Strobhert]

The Atlanta newspaper ran a tasteless cartoon with God and the devil debating Jackson's afterlife. The devil says, "Let's flip a coin". I was not an avid fan but I was outraged because I don't feel that such treatment would be given Dick Cheney or OJ Simpson. It was totally a cheap shot.

[Sheila]

Unfortunately, that is one of the prices of fame. Every celebrity knows that. Without the press, they wouldn't have any...fame. That fame equates to the worldly god of money. Everyone thinks it would be so great to have all that money (that everyone else also wants) and notoriety, and though Michael was probably too young to make the decision as to whether or not he wanted to try and enter "stardom", most people hardly think about the consequences of fame and fortune, until, well, it is too late to reverse the situation. At least with privacy and poverty, you have your freedom!!

[karen]

The media has gone way too far. I lost my adult son unexpectedly a few months ago, so I have a pretty good idea about how the Jackson are feeling now. The pain can't be described and is almost too much to bear. I can't imagine how anybody is able to work through this hell knowing that your every move will be reported to the world.

[J]

Of course you are right, but this is simply the way the media operates. It's a ratings-driven entertainment industry. While it's morally questionable, it's also completely expected, and I might even go so far as to say that it's understandable from the point of view of the media (given that they are looking for hot stories and going after ratings) -- even though I feel the same way about it as you do.

Similarly, the bloggers, independent articles, etc. celebrating his death... it's shameful but it's also simply what happens when hundreds of millions of people have the ability (through the internet) to express themselves to what they believe is an audience that cares what they have to say. The same almost goes for people that publicly mourn his death -- even though the topic is more acceptable. The same goes for this comment, even.

[inhisownwords]

“I'm just like anyone. I cut and I bleed. And I embarass easily.”

[Kara]

PLEASE WRITE ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE!!!

[Kara]

btw i was just writing to david there about the writing something else... i just live off his stories and i'm sad when there aren't updates every day... but on the case of MJ... i think it's absolutely horrible... i've gotten so many stupid chain texts and if any of his children ended up getting any of those... it just breaks my heart... he was a great song writer and no matter what he was accused of... he was still aquitted. trust me i was born february 23 1990. i'm not his biggest fan i promise... but i'm going into forensic psych and i know what kind of pain can happen to a family when stupid immature jokes come out... i know it's expected of college students but really? adults? we all have family... if it was our kin... we wouldn't want it to happen... it just shows me how america really is.. let's be honest i haven't heard anything from oversea friends... they're just sad about it... let's not diss on MJ... he may have made mistakes with his actions... and whether or not he had "prescription drug addictions" and whatever other things the prosecution comes up with... he is still a human being and he and his family deserve respect

[Shila]

lets be honest i don't give a krap about this text and i usually don't... but i just want to make a randon point... on the case of MJ... i think it's absolutely horrible... i've gotten so many stupid chain texts and if any of his children ended up getting any of those... it just breaks my heart... he was a great song writer and no matter what he was accused of... he was still aquitted. trust me i was born february 23 1990. i'm not his biggest fan i promise... but i'm going into forensic psych and i know what kind of pain can happen to a family when stupid immature jokes come out... i know it's expected of college students but really? adults? we all have family... if it was our kin... we wouldn't want it to happen... it just shows me how america really is.. let's be honest i haven't heard anything from oversea friends... they're just sad about it... let's not diss on MJ... he may have made mistakes with his actions... and whether or not he had "prescription drug addictions" and whatever other things the prosecution comes up with... he is still a human being and he and his family deserve respect... i know all the typical blah blah blah nonsense i'm going to hear... do your worse. i'm just trying to post this on as many sites as possibe because it is disrespectful... not that anybody cares... sorry for being the douche that ruins your argumentative fun...