There’s nothing that can’t be done if we raise our voice as one.
~Michael Jackson
First, it’s necessary to define a new term. Medialoid (mainstream media infected by tabloid journalism) publishes content that is more suitable for tabloid publications.
Proposed
Michael Jackson’s Law
Part 1 — Many occupations require licensing; for example, doctors, lawyers, architects, and accountants must be licensed in all 50 states. To qualify, one must graduate from an accredited university and pass a rigorous board examination. A license doesn’t guarantee a doctor, lawyer, architect, or accountant will be competent. However, licensing prevents a plumber from operating on a person, a homemaker from arguing in court, a dog groomer from designing a building, or a student from maintaining the books of a corporation.
Is it no less important that those entrusted with reporting world events be licensed? Reporters should not be allowed to call themselves journalists unless they graduate from an accredited university with a degree in journalism (including at least one course in journalism ethics and one course in communications and media law) and pass a rigorous board examination.
Media play a huge role in our lives. Television, radio, the Internet, movies, books, and newspapers inform and influence our ideas, opinions, values, and beliefs. They shape our understanding of the world and give us the information we need to hold our leaders accountable. They help us separate fact from opinion.
If formal journalism training and licensing had been required of Diane Dimond and Nancy Grace, neither would have been hired by any news organization. If either had been hired without credentials, the news company that hired them may have been fined for hiring unlicensed persons. Clearly, if Dimond and Grace had not been perceived as journalists, their works of fiction may not have confused the public.
The Society of Professional Journalists believes that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of a journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and balanced account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist’s credibility.
Code of Ethics for Journalists
Part 2 — Defaming the dead shall be prohibited. A deceased person’s heirs can sue for libel and slander as aggressively as the person who was defamed when he or she was alive.
Part 3 — A journalist shall lose his or her license for failing to adhere to principles of journalistic ethics and integrity.
Part 4 — News agencies, journalists, and all media shall use public disclaimers to alert and educate readers and viewers regarding content. For example, the Food and Drug Administration protects against harmful claims that are misleading to the public. The following disclaimer must be included on products that purport to be effective but do not have FDA approval:
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or medical condition.
Following is a proposed disclaimer that shall accompany all medialoid content:
The views expressed herein may not have been fact-checked or verified according to principles of journalistic ethics and integrity. In addition, rumor, barely credible sources, an appeal to emotion and the use of checkbook journalism may be a part of this story or program. This story or program is for entertainment purposes only and was not reviewed by a licensed journalist.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) protects against deceptive advertising that is misleading to the public. In like manner, a governing body shall be formed to uphold standards of ethics and integrity in journalism, oversee licensing for journalists, and protect against media practices that are harmful or mislead the public.
It will take a long time and much effort to pass this proposed legislation. We need your support. Please join us by subscribing to our newsletter.
Tort Law and Journalistic Ethics: Too Late For Michael Jackson—by Richard T. Karcher
I support the initiative of the Michael Jackson’s law wholeheartedly. As a member of the Media Advocacy team on MJJC we encounter articles that we want and need to refute with facts, or all the facts to paint a complete and true picture.
Celebrities are only human and they have feelings, fears and insecurities just like the rest of us. While they bring joy and excitement in our mundane little lives through their music, acting and so on, we should thank them for their exceptional talents and respect them as such, and not allow the media to distort the truth, or spread blatant lies.
Do not read tabloids anymore people, it’s junk! Don’t waste your money on this garbage. We, the public, have a responsibility here too. Together, we can make this change and then live by the words that are simple yet true “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
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I do not purchase read or support these tabloid media oulets. They tortured Michael and now continue with his family. They have no morals or ethics. What about people’s privacy? How many more lives have to be destroyed by the media before someone says enough?
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I totally agree with Elmira on the responsability we all have in this. If no one bought this junk, they wouldnt exist. Their only goal is money, whatever is necessary, even destroying someone else’s life. I was glad to read this, finally: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charles-thomson/michael-jackson-its-time_b_482176.html
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I have never ever bought a tabby and I never will!
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Just so you know, the media is at it again! The reports concerning Jermaine’s son, a stun gun and Blanket are being sensationalized. ‘Showbiz Tonight’ last night reported to the effect that the cousin shot him with the stun gun and now children services is involved. They have gone as far as saying Katherine could lose the kids. Please let’s get the TRUTH out there!
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I’m glad to see that article about Michael JACKSON’s Law. I totally agree with these Advocates. We must have the truth and not wrong information about someone. They must stop these bad acts. I support MJJ’s Advocates for that action. Journalists and reporters must publish the truth, not wrong information. It’s their job to be truthful. Justice must make something about media and tabloids. Put order in the media. Media must stop to follow popular people and publish anything about them without autorization to do so. Media must understand they can destroy people with these bad words that have a lot of consequences. I hope with all my heart you will succeed with that action. I’m with you!
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The media should report the truth, whether it is about Michael Jackson or any other person or event. Many people are so gullible they will believe anything. They faithfully buy the Newspapers, Magazines and watch TV everyday. They believe they are informed and educated. Little do they know that they are being brainwashed for their money. We do not wish to limit freedom of speech, however if it is someone’s opinion they are reporting in an article, it should clearly say so in the article. All articles should reference the source of the story. We only want the TRUTH, nothing but the TRUTH, so help us God.
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I support this effort to make newsmakers accountable. The same moral standard expected of celebrity must apply to those who write stories about them less we become sheer hypocrites. I am a big fan of MJ and I am not happy with deliberate and unfounded insinuations being promoted against him by tabloids.
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If you need proof of how the media lie and blantanty make up stories without any proof or foundation whatsoever go to a site called ‘Starsuckers – Channel 4 documentary’ (www.channel4.com/programmes/starsuckers/episode-guide/series-1).
Its a real eye opener. They openly admit they lie and will accept made up tales from the most dubious and unchecked sources. They’ll even invent sources that don’t exist! The authenticity of the stories and information they are given is not even checked. So basically anyone could phone them up make up a lie about a celebrity no matter how outrageous and if they think it will get our attention and sell papers they’ll print it.
The finger has been pointed at the ‘British Press’ and they’re the worst but a lot of those are owned from abroad (incl.USA). The US will indulge in this feeding frenzy via the British press because we don’t have the litigation laws like they have. It’s about time the law was changed globally and we, the public, stopped buying into this cruelist of bloodsports! By the way the PCC (Press Complaints Commission) sucks and has no power whatsoever! All any journalist gets from crossing the line is a ‘slap on the wrist’ by their own admission! Not even a fine and certainly no restrictions to stop them doing it again. Yes definitely the law needs to be changed and the power and control the media have over our lives taken away from them once and for all! Justice for Michael.
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It is time now to raise our voice to that one! We’ve had enough! Media releases must stop all these lies! It’s already too much, enough! Michael’s memory, the legacy that we left it should be respected more than anything else! He gave us so much! media should be respectful with only King of Music!
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It is time for someone to speak up for Michael someone who is not looking to make a buck and Michael’s Law is just what we need to get the word speaded on how the tabloids try to make seem that Michael was this horrible person in reality their the one’s that horrible it just makes me mad that someone like Michael die and we still have all these horrible people around like tabloid reports.. Michael gave so much of himself may he rest in peace for all enternity….
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I agree darklovly41 It makes me angry also they should not get away with there spreading lies. They should pay $$$$ dearly for spreading lies and destroying a human being and they are still at it even though MJ is not here and they are going after the Jackson family. I want to see justice and truth. I use to by the Tabloids But it dont take a rock scentist to see its all lies they print . I support the MJ law also, we will not give up till justice and truth prevails other wise they will find another victim and this vicious cycle will continue.
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I fully support this initiative of “Michael Jackson’s Law”. I also am a member of the Media Advocacy team on MJJC and work with Elmira Van Galen. We’ve seen many stories that we have addressed where it was obvious that the Journalism Code of Ethics and integrity were not present in the way the story was written or reported. The lack of integrity and ethics that exists today just astounds me. I grew up watching Michael and his brothers and I remember when the programming and news reports were credible. You can bet that the information that was being reported was validated; at least in some form or another. Not so much now. Also in addition to holding the journalists accountable to ethics and integrity, we also need to hold accountable, the producers and all staff related to the creation and communication of a story. So the buck doesn’t stop with the journalists. I know of a personal example of where the producers of a news show were contacted by the subject of the news story in order to provide their side and the facts; however, it didn’t matter to the show’s producers because they claimed they had their story. Can this proposal for “Michael Jackson’s Law” be amended to include all staff related to the communication of a story? It may already be there, but I wanted to just make that mention. I sincerely hope that someone who has the power to pass this law hears what we are asking and finally does something right on behalf of Michael Jackson. Thank you.
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I fully support this initiative of “Michael Jackson’s Law”. I also am a member of the Media Advocacy team on MJJC and work with Elmira Van Galen. We’ve seen many stories that we have addressed where it was obvious that the Journalism Code of Ethics and integrity were not present in the way the story was written or reported. The lack of integrity and ethics that exists today just astounds me. I grew up watching Michael and his brothers and I remember when the programming and news reports were credible. You can bet that the information that was being reported was validated; at least in some form or another. Not so much now. Also in addition to holding the journalists accountable to ethics and integrity, we also need to hold accountable, the producers and all staff related to the creation and communication of a story. So the buck doesn’t stop with the journalists. I know of a personal example of where the producers of a news show were contacted by the subject of the news story in order to provide their side and the facts; however, it didn’t matter to the show’s producers because they claimed they had their story. Can this proposal for “Michael Jackson’s Law” be amended to include all staff related to the communication of a story? It may already be there, but I wanted to just make that mention. I sincerely hope that someone who has the power to pass this law hears what we are asking and finally does something right on behalf of Michael Jackson. Thank you.
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This is the first on line petition that I signed. I was more than happy to sign it . No one has the right to play God with with any ones life. And the way that our Beloved Michael’s life was cut short just makes me sick to my stomach. Those sick people that took him from his kids ,family and fans need to pay for their wrong doing. They took a way my chance to ever meet him in person. There will never be another one like him. He was and still one of Kind.
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This is the very first online petition that I signed. No one has the right to play God with an other’s life.
The way Michael’s life was cut short due to the stupidity of other’s. Just makes me sick inside. He was taken from his loving kids, his family and fans. They took my chance and other’s chance who never got to meet him a way. And that makes me mad and angry. Who gave them the right to decide that his life was worth more with him no longer here? Then with him alive and well?
Michael I love u and miss u dearly
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I do not understand that the median has exhibited that Michael is the worst that could walk on this earth. he is just the opposite of what they have said and say about him. Michael is the most loving and carring man who has gone on this earth. everything is just about money and revenge. I really hope that people open their eyes and feel in their hearts, who Michael really is. Instead of believing the lies of the press has written about Michael. I really think that these lies and persecution must stop now, there was so much evidence that Michael is innocent in chandler case and subsequent cases. why is this not out in public so Michael’s name can be cleared of all these lies. We must stand together as one big family and getting justice on Michael’s side. I will not give up, I keep on until justice is done. All for LOVE Michael J. Jackson
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