JACKSON'S LAWYER PLANS VIGEROUS DEFENCE (26th November 2003)
Michael Jackson's lawyer is vowing to "land like a ton of bricks" on anyone who attacks the singer and claims the molestation allegations against him are motivated by money. Mark Geragos's pledge follows revelations he and the entertainer were secretly videotaped while flying on a private jet to Santa Barbara last week for the singer's surrender. Mr Geragos said he obtained a temporary court order barring anyone connected to the airline from showing the tapes. "If anybody doesn't think based upon what's happened so far that the true motivation of these charges and these allegations is anything but money and the seeking of money, is living in their own Neverland," Mark Geragos said. "Michael Jackson is not going to be abused," he said. "Michael Jackson is not going to be slammed." Meanwhile, the Santa Barbara County district attorney pushed back the anticipated filing of molestation charges against Jackson to mid-December. The delay will allow development of a web site for public posting of court-related information in the case, District Attorney Thomas Sneddon said.
MICHAEL TO RE-LAUNCH TOP OF THE POPS (26th November 2003)
Michael Jackson is to have his new video aired to relaunch Top of the Pops this week. The singer is at number one in the album charts and sales do not appear to have been dented by an investigation into child molestation allegations. The BBC said it would be screening an "exclusive look" at a video released to coincide with the release of his chart-topper Number Ones. Jackson is heading for the top five of the singles chart this weekend with his track One More Chance. TOTP is being reborn as ALL NEW Top Of The Pops this Friday with a one-hour special and will in future be broadcast live.
MOTHER HAS HISTORY OF FALSE ALLEGATIONS (26th November 2003)
The father of the boy accusing Michael Jackson of sex attacks has told of previous abuse-related lawsuits that the child's mother has filed. The father's attorney, Russell Halpern, says the mother has lied about abuse and has a "Svengali-like" ability to make her children repeat her lies. The family of the child has already been involved in two previous cases that involved abuse allegations: a lawsuit in which the family said they were battered by shopping precinct security guards. The father says the second was a divorce fight in which the father pleaded no contest to wife abuse and child cruelty "to avoid a court battle".In November 2001, JC Penney department store lawyers paid the boy's family £85,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging security guards beat the boy, his mother and his brother in a car park after the boy left the store carrying clothes that had not been paid for, court records show. The mother also contended that she was sexually assaulted by one of the guards during the 1998 confrontation. A month before the settlement, the boy's mother had filed for divorce, beginning a bitter fight that would include criminal charges of abuse. Mr Halpern said the father once showed him a script his wife had allegedly written for their children to use when they were questioned in a civil deposition. "She wrote out all their testimony. I actually saw the script," Halpern said. "I remember my client showing me, bringing the paperwork to me."
The family's past legal cases could be critical in the current molestation case, if Michael Jackson's lawyer can show the mother or the accuser lacks credibility, said Leonard Levine, a defence attorney who specialises in sexual assault cases.
MJ TOPS UK CHARTS! (24th November 2003)
Michael Jackson has topped the charts with his new album, Number Ones, despite being accused of sexually abusing children. The collection of the singer's hits sold well around the UK this week as police arrested the star for allegedly committing lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14. The album beat Busted's offering A Present for Everyone. The two had been battling for top spot all week, with news of Jackson's arrest fuelling public interest and subsequently spending on the star's music.
BOY DEFENDS MICHAEL (24th November 2003)
A boy who shared a bed with Michael Jackson says the star likes blondes. Ahmad, who shared a bed with the singer during his six visits to Neverland, insists the star never laid a finger on him. He added: "Michael does sleep with kids - but it's only when he's known them for months or even years and they're comfortable round each other. Michael isn't gay. He likes women." Jackson, who is currently in Las Vegas, managed to elude the press by disguising himself as an old woman. He slipped past the media at The Green Valley Ranch dressed in black with a grey wig and a veil.
FANS HOLD CANDLE VIGILS FOR MICHAEL (23rd November 2003)
Michael Jackson fans have held candlelight vigils around the world to support the singer as he faces allegations of child molestation. Vigils were planned over the weekend in more than a dozen cities, including Los Angeles, Toronto and Rome, and others were to follow in China and Australia. In LA, about 25 supporters gathered at Jackson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre. They chanted "Michael's innocent" and set candles in the shape of a heart around the star. Jackson surrendered to Santa Barbara County authorities on Thursday after an arrest warrant was issued alleging he committed lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14. Authorities say they expect to file formal charges. After posting $3 million bail, Jackson flew to Las Vegas, where he had been working on a video. But his attorney, Mark Geragos, told the Los Angeles Times he planned to meet with Jackson at the star's Neverland ranch near Santa Barbara on Saturday. Geragos said Jackson denies the charges. In Las Vegas, about 25 fans gathered outside the CMX Productions studio, where Jackson had been working on the video. One fan, Christina Lowhorn, 21, said: "It's important for all his fans to come together at a time like this." In Paris, about 60 fans gathered on the Champs Elysees and marched through crowds of shoppers to the Arc de Triomphe. They held candles and banners with slogans of support and sang We Are the World - the 1985 African famine relief anthem written by Jackson and Lionel Richie. Supporters in Rome gathered at the foot of the Spanish Steps just after darkness fell. They held candles and a sign in Italian that read: "Michael: Accused but not guilty!" In Toronto, about 30 fans huddled over candles as rain and wind swept over the midtown square. Stuart Backerman, a spokesman for Jackson, said the star was feeling "very positive" despite the allegations against him. "He's fine. He's fighting mad, that's what he is. He's outraged at these allegations. But he is doing fine," Backerman said.
He added Jackson had received hundreds of supportive emails and was buoyed by his fans' loyalty. He said a website, www.mjnews.us, will be launched and will have official information from Jackson's camp for the media and fans.
WE ARE BACK! (22nd November 2003)
We provided full support and coverage during Michael Jackson's problems with Martin Bashir earlier this year. While I am pleased that those problems are now behind him, someone else has decided to try and tarnish the King of Pops name. Please join us in support for Michael, and let the World know that he is innocent! We will NOT be reporting any rumours here, only reliable information, as we once again go on a journey to prove Michael's innocence.
MICHAEL TAKES LEGAL ACTION AGAINST GRANADA
Michael Jackson has issued legal proceedings against Granada television over its behind-the-scenes documentary about him. Living with Michael Jackson featured interviews with journalist Martin Bashir and revealed the superstar had shared a bed with children.
He is seeking an injunction against Granada so that it can't use unseen footage "in any way" until wider disputes are settled. After the programme aired on ITV1 Jackson lodged a complaint with broadcasting authorities and accused Bashir of "betrayal".
The singer's own production company then released footage of the Bashir interviews in which the interviewer praises the way Jackson treats children. The proceedings are for a High Court injunction to be granted against Granada. A hearing is expected at London's High Court on Friday. A Granada spokesman said tonight: "Michael Jackson's London lawyers told us this evening they have issued proceedings against Granada.
"They relate to attempts by Michael to claim copyright in our footage. We shall be resisting such claims vigorously."
MARTIN BASHIR VOTED WORST BRITON
Martin Bashir is currenty leaading in a survey conducted by Channel 4 to find out who is the most hated Briton. Martin Bashir has shot to the top of a list of people the public love to hate after his grilling of Michael Jackson.This survey is still ongoing, and you can vote for Martin at the link above.
FOX TO AIR 'MICHAEL JACKSON, TAKE TWO: THE INTERVIEW THEY WOULDN'T SHOW YOU'
Fox TV network in the USA has announced that it will be airing a two-hour special, tentatively titled 'Michael Jackson, Take Two: The Interview They Wouldn't Show You" on Thursday, February 20th, 2003.
Angry at how Martin Bashir portrayed him, Michael has come forward with footage taken by his own videographer during the 8 months that Bashir followed him around videotaping Michael and his family for the 'Living With Michael Jackson' special. Michael's publicist stated that this new footage "clearly shows that Bashir was actually continuing to praise Michael's abilities as a father and Bashir making many statements about how he feels it is a
pity that the world is so quick to criticize Michael." Other reports have also stated that the footage will also include a recent interview from Debbie Rowe, mother of Michael's two oldest children, on her role in their family and her comments on Michael as a father.
Fox has stated that their special will not feature any new interview footage with Michael, and that their network was chosen because it was the network that packaged it with the best sensitivity to Michael Jackson. The other top three broadcasting networks in the
USA were also interested in airing the special.
Michael was reportedly ready to give an interview to CBS' "60 Minutes" programme over the past weekend, but correspondent Ed Bradley left Neverland Valley Ranch with no interview as Michael decided against the idea.
MICHAEL RELEASES HIS OWN VIDEO (13TH Feb 2003)
Michael Jackson has released a private video which he claims shows journalist Martin Bashir acting unethically during the making of a documentary about the star.
The US singer is angry about the way he was portrayed in the controversial programme, which was screened in Britain and America.
In the tape, shot by Jackson's camera team, Mr Bashir is heard apparently praising Jackson's relationship with his children.
The journalist said: "Your relationship with your children is spectacular.
'So loving'
"In fact it almost makes me weep when I see you with them because your interaction with them is so natural, so loving and so caring.
"Everybody who comes into contact with you knows that."
Jackson has said Bashir was "hypocritical" because of documentary voice-overs in Bashir's programme which criticised his attitude to fatherhood.
The clip will not be seen in America, as the star has agreed a deal for US TV network Fox to screen the full footage in a two-hour special in February.
In Bashir's documentary, Jackson admitted that he still shared his bedroom with children, despite child abuse allegations in the 1990s which were settled out of court.
ITV STILL WONT ADMIT MARTIN WAS WRONG (11th Feb 2003)
ITV claims Michael Jackson's reaction to its Martin Bashir documentary is clumsy and desperate. It says Bashir will not be embarrassed by footage the star is about to release in the US, purporting to show how the journalist betrayed him. The footage - filmed by Jackson's aides while Bashir was making his programme - is due to be screened on Wednesday on CBS. Jackson claims it shows Bashir flattering the star about his parenting skills. A statement issued on the singer's behalf said: "Either Martin Bashir was lying to Michael, or he was misleading his audience in his voiceovers on the film."
But, a spokesman for Granada, which made the Bashir film said: "Martin Bashir has nothing to hide - he knew he was being filmed by Michael Jackson's aides at various times.
"The resulting footage has been edited by Michael Jackson's aides, and as yet we've seen nothing of it. This is becoming the most expensive, clumsy and desperate attempt at shooting the messenger we've ever seen.
"Bashir's film is candid, revealing and honest. There is nothing misleading about it, and no lies. Reaction to it stems from what Michael Jackson says and does in the film, not Martin Bashir's actions or words."
Living with Michael Jackson sparked massive media and public discussion of Jackson's lifestyle, and in particular his relationship with children, when it was broadcast on ITV last week.
I encourage all of our visitors to contact ITV, using the above address, and voice your feelings towards the programme, Martin Bashir, and their continued lack of support for a man that boasted their ratings, and has huge support around the World, Michael Jackson.
MICHAEL HITS BACK WITH VIDEO OF INTERVIEWER! (9th Feb 2003)
Pop icon Michael Jackson said on Sunday he would authorize the release of video footage to prove a British television documentary about his private life was misleading and unfair.
Jackson's lawyers have already filed complaints with British broadcasting authorities over the film aired last Monday in which the American singer admitted to sharing a bed with children at his Neverland ranch in California. The rare look at Jackson's private life triggered a storm of controversy including a call for a probe by child welfare services. In a statement issued in London, Jackson repeated a vehement denial of child abuse allegations made by the British media.
"I am bewildered at the length to which people will go to portray me so negatively," Jackson said. "I will say again that I have never, and would never, harm a child. It sickens me that people have written things that portray me as a child abuser."
In their complaints Jackson's lawyers called "Living with Michael Jackson" --- the Granada Television documentary fronted by journalist Martin Bashir -- "a gross distortion of the truth" that violated the singer's right to privacy. In Sunday's statement, issued by a London public relations company, Jackson said he would produce his own video excerpts, filmed by his personal cameraman during the eight-month documentary shoot, to prove Bashir's portrayal was hypocritical.
"The film shows extraordinary scenes of Martin Bashir praising the way Michael treats children and commenting on how good a father he is," the statement said.
"The Jackson footage clearly shows that Bashir was actually continuing to praise Michael's abilities as a father and (shows) Bashir making statements about how he feels it is a pity that the world is so quick to criticize Michael."
"On the face of it, either Martin Bashir was lying to Michael or was misleading his audience on the voiceovers on the film," the statement said, adding that Bashir had been aware he was being filmed during his interviews.
The lawyers had said the filmmakers had used footage of Jackson's children even though he had forbidden them to do so, and had unfairly asked him about a 1993 child abuse allegation without prior warning. Jackson said the filmmakers had talked to a 12-year-old boy who shared his bed without seeking permission for the interview from the boy's parents. Nearly one in four Britons watched the documentary in which Jackson vowed to kill himself if there were no kids left in the world. His two older children, aged five and four, appeared on film with Jackson wearing party masks. The film showed his third child with a veil draped over his head as Jackson fed him with a bottle of milk. Jackson has been dogged by controversy since 1993 when he reached a multi-million dollar settlement with a 14-year-old California boy who had accused him of sexual molestation.
Details of the accusations resurfaced in Britain's tabloid newspapers on Sunday and a California lawyer has called on child welfare services to probe his life at Neverland.
MICHAEL NOT TO FACE ABUSE PROBE!
Michael Jackson will not face a new investigation into allegations of child abuse despite TV documentary admissions he shares his bedroom with children.
A US child protection charity had called for the singer to be investigated after he told interviewer Martin Bashir that youngsters sleep over with him at his Neverland ranch.
But Santa Barbara County District Attorney Thomas Sneddon says under Californian law, merely sleeping with a child without "affirmative, offensive conduct" is not a criminal offence.
Police would require co-operation from a victim before any charges could be brought, he says. "Sleeping in bed with a kid is not a crime that I know of," he told the Santa Barbara News-Press. Mr Sneddon says a high-profile 1993 investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against the singer involving a 13-year-old boy remain "open, but inactive." Jackson was never charged, but later reached a multi-million-dollar out-of-court settlement with the boy's family. The 44-year-old singer said in the documentary, Life With Michael Jackson, that he had slept in a bed with "many children", including actor Macaulay Culkin and his brother Kieran. "It's not sexual. We're going to sleep. I tuck them in," he said. "It's very charming. It's very sweet." But Gloria Gruber, president of Prevent Child Abuse California, called for state authorities to interview the children with whom he had shared his bed after the programme was screened in the US last night.
MICHAEL RESPONDS TO DOCUMENTARY
In response to the European broadcasts of 'Living With Michael Jackson', Michael released the following statement through MJJ Productions at Bell Yard Comunications today, February 6, 2003:
"Michael is devastated and feels utterly betrayed by the British television programme, `Living with Michael Jackson', presented by Martin Bashir and broadcast in the UK on Monday 3rd February 2003, which he regards as a gross distortion of the truth and a tawdry attempt to misrepresent his life and his abilities as a father. In a number of crucial respects Michael is concerned that Martin Bashir and Granada Television have broken the trust he placed in
them. In particular, he felt he had obtained their assurance that his children would not be featured in any way in the broadcast programme. Michael repeatedly asked Bashir to stop filming his children, and was promised by him that the footage of his children would be taken out in the final edit but, Bashir said, shooting should not be stopped because "it would break the continuity of filming".
Michael is deeply upset that the programme sensationally sets out to use two or three pieces of footage giving a wholly distorted picture of his behaviour and conduct as a father. Michael feels particularly devastated that he has been treated so badly by Martin Bashir, whom he let into the Jackson family home on a number of occasions over eight months, in the belief that Bashir wished to make a genuine documentary of his life. Michael believes that what was eventually broadcast was a salacious ratings chaser, designed to celebrate
Martin Bashir and which was indifferent to the effect on Michael personally, his family and his close friends.Michael originally consented to grant Bashir extended access to the
Neverland Valley Ranch, his family and Michael himself, because he wanted to give the world a faithful representation of the truth about his life. Michael believes that the programme Bashir has produced is a travesty of the truth.Michael would never have consented to participating in this film if he had been aware of how Bashir was going to portray him. Michael believes that this programme was intentionally produced and edited with a view to broadcasting sensationalized innuendo.Michael feels deeply angry that the programme could have led viewers to conclude that he abuses children in any way. Michael Jackson has never, and would never, treat a child inappropriately or expose them to any harm and totally refutes any suggestions to the contrary. Michael would never betray the trust that a child, or their parents, might place in him.
Michael was today moved to make the following personal statement:
"I trusted Martin Bashir to come into my life and that of my family because I wanted the truth to be told. Martin Bashir, persuaded me to trust him that his would be an honest and fair portrayal of my life and told me that he was "the man that turned Diana's life around" [referring to the late Diana, Princess of Wales]. I am heartbroken that someone whom I treated as a friend could stoop so low.Today I feel more betrayed than perhaps ever before; that someone, who had got to know my children, my staff and me, whom I let into my
heart and told the truth, could then sacrifice the trust I placed in him and produce this terrible and unfair programme.It breaks my heart that anyone could truly believe that I would do
anything to harm or endanger my children: they are the most important thing in my life.
Everyone who knows me will know the truth which is that my children come first in my life and that I would never harm any child.I also want to thank my fans around the world for the overwhelming number of messages of support that I have received, particularly from Great Britain, where people have e-mailed me and said how appalled they were by the Bashir film. Their love and support has touched me greatly."
According to the statement by MJJ Productions, the programme 'Living
With Michael Jackson' was viewed by Michael for first time late on
Wednesday 5th February 2003.
MARTIN BASHIR INTERVIEW THOUGHTS (3rd Feb 2003)
For the benefit of those outside the UK, I thought I'd share my thoughts on Michaels groundbreaking new interview, transmitted this evening on ITV. Martin Bashir did a tremendous job interviewing MJ, and asked important questions in a sympathetic, unjudgemental way. Michael gave a never before seen glimpse into his world. Taking 8 months to film, Martin followed Michael everywhere from his Neverland ranch to Las Vegas, we we're offered an all access view of Michaels life. His innocence and pure nature came across in this program, as he talked about his turbulant childhood, teenage years and adulthood. Michaels plastic surgery, sexual experiences, child allegations, and the now infamous baby dangling scene in Germany are discussed honestly and openly. Michael also shared his creative process, dance techniques, flair for shopping, and secret meditation spot for the first time. I wont elaborate on every scene for those yet to watch, but the program was insightful, funny, sometimes traumatic and always utterly compelling. I hope that people who have up till now been ignorant about the true Michael Jackson, will now think a little harder before reading the tabloids, and appreciate him for the great person, entertainer, humanitarian, and father that he is.
WELCOME... OUR JOURNEY (3rd Feb 2003)
This is the beginning of a journey to unite Michael Jackson fans across the Globe and stand up for the King of Pop. He has been subjected to hurtful, untrue and sensationalist rumours in newspapers, television and radio for years. Here we will search for the truth, and expose those who seek to manipulate it for financial gain.
I encourage each of you to contact your local press and show your support for Michael whenever it is needed. Let them know when say something you disapprove of, and praise them when they say positive things. Eventually they will start to get the messege! Michael continually speaks of his dislike for the media. If everyone boycotted this material, it would be put out of business.
Michael Jackson's lawyer is vowing to "land like a ton of bricks" on anyone who attacks the singer and claims the molestation allegations against him are motivated by money. Mark Geragos's pledge follows revelations he and the entertainer were secretly videotaped while flying on a private jet to Santa Barbara last week for the singer's surrender. Mr Geragos said he obtained a temporary court order barring anyone connected to the airline from showing the tapes. "If anybody doesn't think based upon what's happened so far that the true motivation of these charges and these allegations is anything but money and the seeking of money, is living in their own Neverland," Mark Geragos said. "Michael Jackson is not going to be abused," he said. "Michael Jackson is not going to be slammed." Meanwhile, the Santa Barbara County district attorney pushed back the anticipated filing of molestation charges against Jackson to mid-December. The delay will allow development of a web site for public posting of court-related information in the case, District Attorney Thomas Sneddon said.
MICHAEL TO RE-LAUNCH TOP OF THE POPS (26th November 2003)
Michael Jackson is to have his new video aired to relaunch Top of the Pops this week. The singer is at number one in the album charts and sales do not appear to have been dented by an investigation into child molestation allegations. The BBC said it would be screening an "exclusive look" at a video released to coincide with the release of his chart-topper Number Ones. Jackson is heading for the top five of the singles chart this weekend with his track One More Chance. TOTP is being reborn as ALL NEW Top Of The Pops this Friday with a one-hour special and will in future be broadcast live.
MOTHER HAS HISTORY OF FALSE ALLEGATIONS (26th November 2003)
The father of the boy accusing Michael Jackson of sex attacks has told of previous abuse-related lawsuits that the child's mother has filed. The father's attorney, Russell Halpern, says the mother has lied about abuse and has a "Svengali-like" ability to make her children repeat her lies. The family of the child has already been involved in two previous cases that involved abuse allegations: a lawsuit in which the family said they were battered by shopping precinct security guards. The father says the second was a divorce fight in which the father pleaded no contest to wife abuse and child cruelty "to avoid a court battle".In November 2001, JC Penney department store lawyers paid the boy's family £85,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging security guards beat the boy, his mother and his brother in a car park after the boy left the store carrying clothes that had not been paid for, court records show. The mother also contended that she was sexually assaulted by one of the guards during the 1998 confrontation. A month before the settlement, the boy's mother had filed for divorce, beginning a bitter fight that would include criminal charges of abuse. Mr Halpern said the father once showed him a script his wife had allegedly written for their children to use when they were questioned in a civil deposition. "She wrote out all their testimony. I actually saw the script," Halpern said. "I remember my client showing me, bringing the paperwork to me."
The family's past legal cases could be critical in the current molestation case, if Michael Jackson's lawyer can show the mother or the accuser lacks credibility, said Leonard Levine, a defence attorney who specialises in sexual assault cases.
MJ TOPS UK CHARTS! (24th November 2003)
Michael Jackson has topped the charts with his new album, Number Ones, despite being accused of sexually abusing children. The collection of the singer's hits sold well around the UK this week as police arrested the star for allegedly committing lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14. The album beat Busted's offering A Present for Everyone. The two had been battling for top spot all week, with news of Jackson's arrest fuelling public interest and subsequently spending on the star's music.
BOY DEFENDS MICHAEL (24th November 2003)
A boy who shared a bed with Michael Jackson says the star likes blondes. Ahmad, who shared a bed with the singer during his six visits to Neverland, insists the star never laid a finger on him. He added: "Michael does sleep with kids - but it's only when he's known them for months or even years and they're comfortable round each other. Michael isn't gay. He likes women." Jackson, who is currently in Las Vegas, managed to elude the press by disguising himself as an old woman. He slipped past the media at The Green Valley Ranch dressed in black with a grey wig and a veil.
FANS HOLD CANDLE VIGILS FOR MICHAEL (23rd November 2003)
Michael Jackson fans have held candlelight vigils around the world to support the singer as he faces allegations of child molestation. Vigils were planned over the weekend in more than a dozen cities, including Los Angeles, Toronto and Rome, and others were to follow in China and Australia. In LA, about 25 supporters gathered at Jackson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre. They chanted "Michael's innocent" and set candles in the shape of a heart around the star. Jackson surrendered to Santa Barbara County authorities on Thursday after an arrest warrant was issued alleging he committed lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14. Authorities say they expect to file formal charges. After posting $3 million bail, Jackson flew to Las Vegas, where he had been working on a video. But his attorney, Mark Geragos, told the Los Angeles Times he planned to meet with Jackson at the star's Neverland ranch near Santa Barbara on Saturday. Geragos said Jackson denies the charges. In Las Vegas, about 25 fans gathered outside the CMX Productions studio, where Jackson had been working on the video. One fan, Christina Lowhorn, 21, said: "It's important for all his fans to come together at a time like this." In Paris, about 60 fans gathered on the Champs Elysees and marched through crowds of shoppers to the Arc de Triomphe. They held candles and banners with slogans of support and sang We Are the World - the 1985 African famine relief anthem written by Jackson and Lionel Richie. Supporters in Rome gathered at the foot of the Spanish Steps just after darkness fell. They held candles and a sign in Italian that read: "Michael: Accused but not guilty!" In Toronto, about 30 fans huddled over candles as rain and wind swept over the midtown square. Stuart Backerman, a spokesman for Jackson, said the star was feeling "very positive" despite the allegations against him. "He's fine. He's fighting mad, that's what he is. He's outraged at these allegations. But he is doing fine," Backerman said.
He added Jackson had received hundreds of supportive emails and was buoyed by his fans' loyalty. He said a website, www.mjnews.us, will be launched and will have official information from Jackson's camp for the media and fans.
WE ARE BACK! (22nd November 2003)
We provided full support and coverage during Michael Jackson's problems with Martin Bashir earlier this year. While I am pleased that those problems are now behind him, someone else has decided to try and tarnish the King of Pops name. Please join us in support for Michael, and let the World know that he is innocent! We will NOT be reporting any rumours here, only reliable information, as we once again go on a journey to prove Michael's innocence.
MICHAEL TAKES LEGAL ACTION AGAINST GRANADA
Michael Jackson has issued legal proceedings against Granada television over its behind-the-scenes documentary about him. Living with Michael Jackson featured interviews with journalist Martin Bashir and revealed the superstar had shared a bed with children.
He is seeking an injunction against Granada so that it can't use unseen footage "in any way" until wider disputes are settled. After the programme aired on ITV1 Jackson lodged a complaint with broadcasting authorities and accused Bashir of "betrayal".
The singer's own production company then released footage of the Bashir interviews in which the interviewer praises the way Jackson treats children. The proceedings are for a High Court injunction to be granted against Granada. A hearing is expected at London's High Court on Friday. A Granada spokesman said tonight: "Michael Jackson's London lawyers told us this evening they have issued proceedings against Granada.
"They relate to attempts by Michael to claim copyright in our footage. We shall be resisting such claims vigorously."
MARTIN BASHIR VOTED WORST BRITON
Martin Bashir is currenty leaading in a survey conducted by Channel 4 to find out who is the most hated Briton. Martin Bashir has shot to the top of a list of people the public love to hate after his grilling of Michael Jackson.This survey is still ongoing, and you can vote for Martin at the link above.
FOX TO AIR 'MICHAEL JACKSON, TAKE TWO: THE INTERVIEW THEY WOULDN'T SHOW YOU'
Fox TV network in the USA has announced that it will be airing a two-hour special, tentatively titled 'Michael Jackson, Take Two: The Interview They Wouldn't Show You" on Thursday, February 20th, 2003.
Angry at how Martin Bashir portrayed him, Michael has come forward with footage taken by his own videographer during the 8 months that Bashir followed him around videotaping Michael and his family for the 'Living With Michael Jackson' special. Michael's publicist stated that this new footage "clearly shows that Bashir was actually continuing to praise Michael's abilities as a father and Bashir making many statements about how he feels it is a
pity that the world is so quick to criticize Michael." Other reports have also stated that the footage will also include a recent interview from Debbie Rowe, mother of Michael's two oldest children, on her role in their family and her comments on Michael as a father.
Fox has stated that their special will not feature any new interview footage with Michael, and that their network was chosen because it was the network that packaged it with the best sensitivity to Michael Jackson. The other top three broadcasting networks in the
USA were also interested in airing the special.
Michael was reportedly ready to give an interview to CBS' "60 Minutes" programme over the past weekend, but correspondent Ed Bradley left Neverland Valley Ranch with no interview as Michael decided against the idea.
MICHAEL RELEASES HIS OWN VIDEO (13TH Feb 2003)
Michael Jackson has released a private video which he claims shows journalist Martin Bashir acting unethically during the making of a documentary about the star.
The US singer is angry about the way he was portrayed in the controversial programme, which was screened in Britain and America.
In the tape, shot by Jackson's camera team, Mr Bashir is heard apparently praising Jackson's relationship with his children.
The journalist said: "Your relationship with your children is spectacular.
'So loving'
"In fact it almost makes me weep when I see you with them because your interaction with them is so natural, so loving and so caring.
"Everybody who comes into contact with you knows that."
Jackson has said Bashir was "hypocritical" because of documentary voice-overs in Bashir's programme which criticised his attitude to fatherhood.
The clip will not be seen in America, as the star has agreed a deal for US TV network Fox to screen the full footage in a two-hour special in February.
In Bashir's documentary, Jackson admitted that he still shared his bedroom with children, despite child abuse allegations in the 1990s which were settled out of court.
ITV STILL WONT ADMIT MARTIN WAS WRONG (11th Feb 2003)
ITV claims Michael Jackson's reaction to its Martin Bashir documentary is clumsy and desperate. It says Bashir will not be embarrassed by footage the star is about to release in the US, purporting to show how the journalist betrayed him. The footage - filmed by Jackson's aides while Bashir was making his programme - is due to be screened on Wednesday on CBS. Jackson claims it shows Bashir flattering the star about his parenting skills. A statement issued on the singer's behalf said: "Either Martin Bashir was lying to Michael, or he was misleading his audience in his voiceovers on the film."
But, a spokesman for Granada, which made the Bashir film said: "Martin Bashir has nothing to hide - he knew he was being filmed by Michael Jackson's aides at various times.
"The resulting footage has been edited by Michael Jackson's aides, and as yet we've seen nothing of it. This is becoming the most expensive, clumsy and desperate attempt at shooting the messenger we've ever seen.
"Bashir's film is candid, revealing and honest. There is nothing misleading about it, and no lies. Reaction to it stems from what Michael Jackson says and does in the film, not Martin Bashir's actions or words."
Living with Michael Jackson sparked massive media and public discussion of Jackson's lifestyle, and in particular his relationship with children, when it was broadcast on ITV last week.
I encourage all of our visitors to contact ITV, using the above address, and voice your feelings towards the programme, Martin Bashir, and their continued lack of support for a man that boasted their ratings, and has huge support around the World, Michael Jackson.
MICHAEL HITS BACK WITH VIDEO OF INTERVIEWER! (9th Feb 2003)
Pop icon Michael Jackson said on Sunday he would authorize the release of video footage to prove a British television documentary about his private life was misleading and unfair.
Jackson's lawyers have already filed complaints with British broadcasting authorities over the film aired last Monday in which the American singer admitted to sharing a bed with children at his Neverland ranch in California. The rare look at Jackson's private life triggered a storm of controversy including a call for a probe by child welfare services. In a statement issued in London, Jackson repeated a vehement denial of child abuse allegations made by the British media.
"I am bewildered at the length to which people will go to portray me so negatively," Jackson said. "I will say again that I have never, and would never, harm a child. It sickens me that people have written things that portray me as a child abuser."
In their complaints Jackson's lawyers called "Living with Michael Jackson" --- the Granada Television documentary fronted by journalist Martin Bashir -- "a gross distortion of the truth" that violated the singer's right to privacy. In Sunday's statement, issued by a London public relations company, Jackson said he would produce his own video excerpts, filmed by his personal cameraman during the eight-month documentary shoot, to prove Bashir's portrayal was hypocritical.
"The film shows extraordinary scenes of Martin Bashir praising the way Michael treats children and commenting on how good a father he is," the statement said.
"The Jackson footage clearly shows that Bashir was actually continuing to praise Michael's abilities as a father and (shows) Bashir making statements about how he feels it is a pity that the world is so quick to criticize Michael."
"On the face of it, either Martin Bashir was lying to Michael or was misleading his audience on the voiceovers on the film," the statement said, adding that Bashir had been aware he was being filmed during his interviews.
The lawyers had said the filmmakers had used footage of Jackson's children even though he had forbidden them to do so, and had unfairly asked him about a 1993 child abuse allegation without prior warning. Jackson said the filmmakers had talked to a 12-year-old boy who shared his bed without seeking permission for the interview from the boy's parents. Nearly one in four Britons watched the documentary in which Jackson vowed to kill himself if there were no kids left in the world. His two older children, aged five and four, appeared on film with Jackson wearing party masks. The film showed his third child with a veil draped over his head as Jackson fed him with a bottle of milk. Jackson has been dogged by controversy since 1993 when he reached a multi-million dollar settlement with a 14-year-old California boy who had accused him of sexual molestation.
Details of the accusations resurfaced in Britain's tabloid newspapers on Sunday and a California lawyer has called on child welfare services to probe his life at Neverland.
MICHAEL NOT TO FACE ABUSE PROBE!
Michael Jackson will not face a new investigation into allegations of child abuse despite TV documentary admissions he shares his bedroom with children.
A US child protection charity had called for the singer to be investigated after he told interviewer Martin Bashir that youngsters sleep over with him at his Neverland ranch.
But Santa Barbara County District Attorney Thomas Sneddon says under Californian law, merely sleeping with a child without "affirmative, offensive conduct" is not a criminal offence.
Police would require co-operation from a victim before any charges could be brought, he says. "Sleeping in bed with a kid is not a crime that I know of," he told the Santa Barbara News-Press. Mr Sneddon says a high-profile 1993 investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against the singer involving a 13-year-old boy remain "open, but inactive." Jackson was never charged, but later reached a multi-million-dollar out-of-court settlement with the boy's family. The 44-year-old singer said in the documentary, Life With Michael Jackson, that he had slept in a bed with "many children", including actor Macaulay Culkin and his brother Kieran. "It's not sexual. We're going to sleep. I tuck them in," he said. "It's very charming. It's very sweet." But Gloria Gruber, president of Prevent Child Abuse California, called for state authorities to interview the children with whom he had shared his bed after the programme was screened in the US last night.
MICHAEL RESPONDS TO DOCUMENTARY
In response to the European broadcasts of 'Living With Michael Jackson', Michael released the following statement through MJJ Productions at Bell Yard Comunications today, February 6, 2003:
"Michael is devastated and feels utterly betrayed by the British television programme, `Living with Michael Jackson', presented by Martin Bashir and broadcast in the UK on Monday 3rd February 2003, which he regards as a gross distortion of the truth and a tawdry attempt to misrepresent his life and his abilities as a father. In a number of crucial respects Michael is concerned that Martin Bashir and Granada Television have broken the trust he placed in
them. In particular, he felt he had obtained their assurance that his children would not be featured in any way in the broadcast programme. Michael repeatedly asked Bashir to stop filming his children, and was promised by him that the footage of his children would be taken out in the final edit but, Bashir said, shooting should not be stopped because "it would break the continuity of filming".
Michael is deeply upset that the programme sensationally sets out to use two or three pieces of footage giving a wholly distorted picture of his behaviour and conduct as a father. Michael feels particularly devastated that he has been treated so badly by Martin Bashir, whom he let into the Jackson family home on a number of occasions over eight months, in the belief that Bashir wished to make a genuine documentary of his life. Michael believes that what was eventually broadcast was a salacious ratings chaser, designed to celebrate
Martin Bashir and which was indifferent to the effect on Michael personally, his family and his close friends.Michael originally consented to grant Bashir extended access to the
Neverland Valley Ranch, his family and Michael himself, because he wanted to give the world a faithful representation of the truth about his life. Michael believes that the programme Bashir has produced is a travesty of the truth.Michael would never have consented to participating in this film if he had been aware of how Bashir was going to portray him. Michael believes that this programme was intentionally produced and edited with a view to broadcasting sensationalized innuendo.Michael feels deeply angry that the programme could have led viewers to conclude that he abuses children in any way. Michael Jackson has never, and would never, treat a child inappropriately or expose them to any harm and totally refutes any suggestions to the contrary. Michael would never betray the trust that a child, or their parents, might place in him.
Michael was today moved to make the following personal statement:
"I trusted Martin Bashir to come into my life and that of my family because I wanted the truth to be told. Martin Bashir, persuaded me to trust him that his would be an honest and fair portrayal of my life and told me that he was "the man that turned Diana's life around" [referring to the late Diana, Princess of Wales]. I am heartbroken that someone whom I treated as a friend could stoop so low.Today I feel more betrayed than perhaps ever before; that someone, who had got to know my children, my staff and me, whom I let into my
heart and told the truth, could then sacrifice the trust I placed in him and produce this terrible and unfair programme.It breaks my heart that anyone could truly believe that I would do
anything to harm or endanger my children: they are the most important thing in my life.
Everyone who knows me will know the truth which is that my children come first in my life and that I would never harm any child.I also want to thank my fans around the world for the overwhelming number of messages of support that I have received, particularly from Great Britain, where people have e-mailed me and said how appalled they were by the Bashir film. Their love and support has touched me greatly."
According to the statement by MJJ Productions, the programme 'Living
With Michael Jackson' was viewed by Michael for first time late on
Wednesday 5th February 2003.
MARTIN BASHIR INTERVIEW THOUGHTS (3rd Feb 2003)
For the benefit of those outside the UK, I thought I'd share my thoughts on Michaels groundbreaking new interview, transmitted this evening on ITV. Martin Bashir did a tremendous job interviewing MJ, and asked important questions in a sympathetic, unjudgemental way. Michael gave a never before seen glimpse into his world. Taking 8 months to film, Martin followed Michael everywhere from his Neverland ranch to Las Vegas, we we're offered an all access view of Michaels life. His innocence and pure nature came across in this program, as he talked about his turbulant childhood, teenage years and adulthood. Michaels plastic surgery, sexual experiences, child allegations, and the now infamous baby dangling scene in Germany are discussed honestly and openly. Michael also shared his creative process, dance techniques, flair for shopping, and secret meditation spot for the first time. I wont elaborate on every scene for those yet to watch, but the program was insightful, funny, sometimes traumatic and always utterly compelling. I hope that people who have up till now been ignorant about the true Michael Jackson, will now think a little harder before reading the tabloids, and appreciate him for the great person, entertainer, humanitarian, and father that he is.
WELCOME... OUR JOURNEY (3rd Feb 2003)
This is the beginning of a journey to unite Michael Jackson fans across the Globe and stand up for the King of Pop. He has been subjected to hurtful, untrue and sensationalist rumours in newspapers, television and radio for years. Here we will search for the truth, and expose those who seek to manipulate it for financial gain.
I encourage each of you to contact your local press and show your support for Michael whenever it is needed. Let them know when say something you disapprove of, and praise them when they say positive things. Eventually they will start to get the messege! Michael continually speaks of his dislike for the media. If everyone boycotted this material, it would be put out of business.
"You can change the World, I can't do it by myself!"
- Michael Jackson
- Michael Jackson
Send Complaints to:
ITV Network Centre
200 Gray's Inn Road
London WC1X 8HF
T: 020 7843 8000
ITV Network Centre
200 Gray's Inn Road
London WC1X 8HF
T: 020 7843 8000
