On Tuesday, like a billion other people around the world, I sat down to watch the Michael Jackson memorial. Starting today, to the relief of many, the coverage of his death should recede. At least until the toxicology reports come out in a couple more weeks.
The coverage did let up a little over the holiday weekend, at least on CNN.com. No longer was the leading story about MJ, with an enlarged photograph taking up half of the home page, but instead, focus shifted to Sarah Palin’s resignation, the North Carolina serial killer, Steve McNair’s death, and the latest from Afghanistan and Iraq. There was nothing new to report on the MJ front. His headlines were relegated to half way down the page. On the day of the memorial, MJ returned to center stage on CNN.com.
Everyone’s complaining about the amount of coverage his death is getting. But let’s be realistic. The press is reporting what the public wants to see. If there weren’t such a demand to see what’s going to happen next in the MJ saga, they would stop focusing on it. It may not be right, but remember that MJ’s death had an affect on the entire world, whether you were a fan of his or not. People all over the planet tuned in on TV or the Internet to watch the memorial. Whenever the most famous person on the planet, whether it’s MJ or Princess Diana or Elvis, there’s going to be an overdose of coverage. By now it should be expected.
When Anna Nicole Smith died, she got an enormous amount of coverage, and she wasn’t really famous for anything. So why did her demise get so much press? Because she was controversial and her death raised a lot of questions. MJ was highly controversial, and there are several unanswered questions about his death. Add to that that he was one of the biggest celebrities in the world, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that his death is the focus everywhere you look. Just wait ‘til Madonna passes on.
It was a little different when Elvis and John Lennon died in the pre-cable, pre-Internet era. Most people only had three or four channels to watch. The networks couldn’t dedicate 24 hours to their deaths; they had to return to regular programming. Today with the Internet and 24-hour news channels, the press can afford to OD on the coverage. If you’re sick of hearing about it, watch HBO or the Food Network.
Earlier this week New York Rep. Peter King blasted the media for giving so much attention to “…a pervert. He was a child molester. He was a pedophile.” Rep. King can say whatever he wants behind closed doors. But for him to call MJ a child molester and a pedophile on national television when he was acquitted of all charges by our judicial system was irresponsible and unprofessional for a politician.
Yes, there was a ton of coverage. Yes, he did bizarre things during his life. And he was accused of the most heinous of crimes. Before his death, I would have guessed that most people believed he was guilty of child molestation. But judging from the reaction from the US and around the world after his death, I guess I’m not the only person who has doubts about what he was accused of.
Now the memorial is over. So we can all go back to watching news about the weak economy, cheating politicians, and tragic wars.
R.I.P. Michael.
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