Michael Jackson admirers ought not be concerned with the tabloids. The tabloids are always going to be a part of world events. The tabloids are what freedom of speech is all about. When citizens enjoy freedom of speech, they’re also free to be complete idiots, which is what the tabloids are.
What’s at issue is the distinction between what passes as legitimate/responsible media and tabloid media; hence the term medialoid. These days, there’s often little distinction and, for Michael Jackson, there was virtually NO distinction. Had not the mainstream press gone tabloid, Michael Jackson could’ve tolerated the tabloids, even if he didn’t like them. From coverage of the 1993 and 2005 allegations, Michael recognized that medialoid is worse than the tabloids. He comments here that medialoid is repulsive.
Michael’s meteoric rise in the annals of pop culture crashed violently with broad abandonment of responsible journalism. Once mainstream media entered the tabloid fray, Michael could trust no one to tell his story with accuracy and integrity. Diane Sawyer, for example, joined the ranks of medialoid and became no better than Diane Dimond. There are many other examples.
Michael Jackson admirers are wasting their time with the likes of TMZ unless you’re writing to the Chairman of the Board of Time Warner, which owns TMZ. Wikipedia states that TMZ generates more controversy than revenue for Time Warner. Given enough complaints, they may decide TMZ is more trouble than it’s worth.
For example:
Jeffrey Bewkes
Chairman of the Board
Time Warner, Inc.
1 Time Warner Center
New York, NY 10019-6038
Dear Mr. Bewkes ~
On Tuesday, November 3, TMZ “broke” the “story” of an alleged promised interview with Arnie Klein that failed to materialize on TMZ TV. Harvey Levin, however, gave a 38-minute overview of the alleged three hours he spent the previous Sunday in Klein’s home discussing Michael Jackson.
Mr. Bewkes, is there no low to which TMZ won’t stoop?
I’m part of a group of Michael Jackson admirers whose goal is to force such salacious tongues to cease. We intend to gather boycott strength so there will be no financial incentive for programs like TMZ to spread their filth. It doesn’t matter that occasionally TMZ tells the truth. On balance—if such a word even applies to TMZ—they represent the worst of celebrity gossip.
As you’re no doubt aware, there are multi-millions of Michael Jackson admirers the world over. The time has come to restore Michael’s personal legacy. Because medialoid (mainstream media infected by tabloid journalism) will not police itself, it’s up to those who care about Michael to do it for them.
You shall be hearing from us.
Sincerely,
***
In Michael’s memory, his admirers can at least try to turn the tide of mainstream media so that his children don’t suffer the same unfair and biased reporting.
Please leave a comment and website link if you discover exploitation of Michael Jackson or his children; if you know of specific incidences and examples of egregious media bias and unfair or unethical reporting by mainstream media as it relates to Michael Jackson, his family, or his legacy. No tabloid citations, please. We will investigate and analyze.
Thank you.
