The MJ Coverage Begins to Take a Toll on CNN

As a rule, I think the less said about the excessive Michael Jackson coverage in recent weeks and days, the better. It goes without saying that the spectacle has morphed beyond news into something else entirely. And if Wolf Blitzer and Brian Williams and lots of other 'serious' journalists want to pretend, day after day, that Jackson's June death continues to constitute breaking news, than that's their problem.

But I think that this CNN chron from late Wednesday afternoon does deserve comment, as it seems to have crossed all kinds of decency boundaries. And yes, it read, "What are Jackson kids really like":

Honestly, WTF? It's creepy enough that serious journalists chew up airtime discussing the custody possibilities of Jackson's kids, but to now poke and prod around the lives of elementary school-aged kids of a dead celebrity in hopes of finding out what they "really like"? (Note that CNN had no interest in the kids when their father was alive.)

It's just beyond the pale for any mainstream news organization, and CNN, for one, needs to rethink where it's going with this often pointless Jackson coverage.

Crossposted at County Fair, a Media Matters for America blog.

Comments

[Marrymeplease]

08:36 PM on 07/11/2009

I was a fan of Michael Jackson, and I do think it has been all about ratings. Then again any sensible person realize that this man was know all over the world. All over the world. One of the most famous person in the world. They did the same thing when Elvis died, when Princess Di died , John Kennedy Jr., John Lennon. It seem people only complain when it's Michael Jackson. If you didn't want to see any of it all you had to do was turn the channel. It wasn't on all the channels. The greatest entertainer ever, just died. And he will be missed. Maybe not by all, but by me for sure. R.I.P. MJ

[mdj328]

08:01 AM on 07/12/2009

WELL SAID! I too loved Michael Jackson. I think the media should change by publishing good things about people and not just the negative news. Michael Jackson was so very giving and loving that it was easy for so many evil minded people to take advantage of his generosity and sweet nature.
RIP Michael Jackson.

[middleofeverywhere]

12:53 AM on 07/10/2009

I would watch however if John King had a magic map where he could whip states around at his fingertips and tell us where Michael was during various career highs and lows.

[pons1595]

02:58 PM on 07/09/2009

CNN is simply a reflection of America's celebrity obsession. TV is rampant with TMZ, the “E” network and a host of other celebrity nonsense. Even this site has attempted to “celebritize” the President and his family so as to garner more viewers. It is a bastardization of the Fourth Estate.

With newspapers in their death throes and manipulative TV networks forming the ill-thought opinions of the American people, we are ripe for a demagogic takeover of our national politics --and Sarah Palin who spews hate and lies to a herd of idiotic sympathizers is just the demagogue to do it.

[mellene]

12:28 PM on 07/09/2009

The media has proven time and time again that it goes where it gets viewers ears and eyes. CNN like the others has become a reporter of the cultural excesses, murders and other strange doings rather than straight news. I'm reminded of what Dan Rather said about "tarting" up the reporting on CBS and that goes for all the other networks and cable stations. It'll blow over like Anna deaths of Nicole Smith, Chandra Levy, Nathalie Holloway and O.J.'s trial.

[Oakland]

07:02 AM on 07/09/2009

I never watched one minute of the creep show. I was no fan of his alive or dead. Maybe CNN and the so called serious news media can roll his casket all over the country and start a new game show "Where's MIchael?" They could milk this for another six months at least.

[Melissa]

04:27 PM on 07/11/2009

CNN has gone way over the top. I stopped watching them early on as the speculation and the weird panels they had on were disgusting. I'm sure their ratings were sky high but I think their ratings will slide after this week. This is not over yet they have the custody battle, etc., etc.

[Manx]

02:03 AM on 07/09/2009

Ever since Aaron Brown left, CNN has turned into a tabloid network. When I'm watching a cable news channel, I expect coverage of more than one story. Most of the time, CNN is just a one-story network.

[Owlygirl]

04:48 AM on 07/09/2009

Don't forget the annoying "expert panels" either. What a friggin waste of time to hear the same talking points repeated hour after hour. Nothing original and nothing off script.

[noaxe397]

01:54 AM on 07/09/2009

As ubiquitous as the MJ coverage has been, nothing beats the over the top coverage of the death of Anna Nicole Smith. That was TV journalism at its absolute worst.

[NHBill]

10:34 PM on 07/08/2009

The MJ coverage is the only thing people seem to be watching on CNN. Once they stop the ratings will drop.

[JoAnnCr]

09:57 PM on 07/08/2009

Frankly, I truly appreciated CNN's coverage. I watched the whole thing, enjoyed the beautiful words and music, and appreciated understanding more about Jackson's family and his charitable works.

The news anchors couldn't have been kinder or more sensitive to the situation.

Thank you CNN!

[jade7243]

09:31 PM on 07/08/2009

Complaints about the "excessive news coverage" need to be delivered to the presidents of the news divisions of the respective networks.

I note, however, that CNN, MSNBC and broadcast networks cover little news in a normal news day anyway.

[GarthR]

07:07 PM on 07/08/2009

It's time for Rupert Murdoch to abandon the failing Fox Business Network and launch the Fox Bereavement Network (they can keep their current acronym). As the overpopulated ranks of aging celebrities continue to die off, FBN can establish it's niche as the 24/7 celebrity obituary network. Then when the next big death comes along, Fox Bereavement can vault into dominance in the same way CNN attained credibility during the first Gulf War. The Network motto can be "We see dead people..." (whispered by Haley Joel Osment). The new network might leave some room for alternative programming on CNN and it can do all the best bad-taste stories CNN should be embarassed to broadcast. Plus, like a Pharoah building his pyramid in preparation for the big day, Rupert would be building a personal broadcast monument he can count on for months of continuous coverage when his time arrives.

[laurared]

02:49 PM on 07/09/2009

This is the best idea I have heard in ages! I am surprised that such a network doesn't already exist!

[ptgkc]

06:58 PM on 07/08/2009

My wish is Ted Turner would buy back the network and fire the entire staff.

With their declining ratings and value, he might be able to afford it soon.

[keene]

11:19 PM on 07/08/2009

Hear Hear! Yes. I watched the memorial. I have watched a few other things pertaining to MJ om other stations as well. But CNN is crossing into Entertainment tonight territory.

[Estreet1964]

01:17 PM on 07/09/2009

Crossing into? That herd left the barn a LONG time ago.