Poll: 64 percent say too much Jackson coverage
Published: July 2, 2009
LOS ANGELES -- Nearly two in three Americans say news organizations have given too much coverage to the death of Michael Jackson, but half say the media have struck the right balance between covering the pop star's personal life and musical career.
In a Pew Research Center poll published yesterday, 64 percent of those surveyed said Jackson's death last week in Los Angeles has received too much coverage, 29 percent said the story received the right amount and 3 percent said the story got too little attention.
Thirty percent said they followed the story very closely, though that number jumped to 80 percent among blacks, according to the independent public opinion research group.
Pew interviewed about 1,000 adults for the poll, which has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3.5 percentage points.
-- The Associated Press
Reader Reactions
I’ve read one book since last weekend and started another using the time I would normally have USED watching news and comment on tv. I enjoyed some of his music, but I like classical, show tunes, even county and western. He was an ENTERTAINER, for pete’s sake—not a god. He’s dead; I’m not, and there’s a lot going on in this world I need to know about that affects me, my family and our well being that is being totally ignored in order to keep Michael Jackson’s image on the screen. Let’s get on with life.
It only took over a week, but finally someone in the weak-kneed press is not afraid to write something accurate.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07022009/news/columnists/shed_no_tears_for_this_twisted_sicko_177187.htm
LOL, dogtired.
Forget about MJ—how can 2/3 of the people think one thing and 1/2 think something else? Thought maybe someone would fix that in this article so it adds up!
(BTW, I’m in the 2/3—Jackson was clearly very talented and a big influence on pop but plastic surgery, money problems, excessive “love” of children, and “unusual” parenting practices kept him in the news for the past ten years, not musical breakthroughs.}
By the number of comments posted in reference to this article, I’m glad to see Michael Jackson still has a lot of fans. The ones who criticize cannot go one day without mentioning his name, his music, his legacy or his impact on the music industry. Say what you want, but Michael Jackson was truly a pioneer within the music business. The “Thriller” music video set the standard for how current videos are made and If any of you doubt that, please give me an example of any prior videos that you may feel were responsible. Michael’s impact is still felt not only in music, but also dancing within all musical genres. Yes he was very talented and should be celebrated as such!
He was a major force in changing music.
Everytime I heard him I changed the station.
I get so tired of hearing “his music changed the world and it will live for ever.“
No it didnt, and no it won’t. Forever is a long time people.
He was an amazing singer/performer, comparable only to Elvis, who was unquestionably a bigger celebrity in his own time. One summer, Elvis sold out three shows a day, every day for two stright months… in the state of Florida. Will my kids even know who Elvis is?
Do you really think that the kids today who listen to rap, the jonas brothers, hannah montana and whiney emo music are going to care about Michael Jackson in 20 years? They won’t.
How many times can you listen to thriller before you know all the lyrics and beats by heart? Twice? I did that like 20 years ago.
Pop music is ,was and always will be about NEW. New sound.
You know who will live forever? JS Bach. I defy you to listen to a full Symphony by Bach and then listen to thriller back to back. One is life altering, soul shaking music, the other is REALLY good bubblegum.
Lovin—I’m not sure I’d say he was more *important* than Farrah, but I will agree he likely was more popular. As to the parents who allowed their children to go to his home, what parent in their right mind would allow their child to be in the unattended presence of *ANYONE* who had molestation accusations, especially if it makes it to a court, whether it be Pop Star or Average Joe? I certainly would not—I don’t care WHO it is. And for them to simply take money and be quiet about it? I don’t think so. I’d be shouting to the rooftops that someone tried to pay me to keep quiet about it. I do agree about the drugs issue. Leave it be. He might have wanted them, he may have demanded them, looks like he got them. End of story. It was his private life.
Its not Michael’s fault he was more important and popular than Farrah Fawcett, Ed Mcmahon and Billy Mays combined! Oh well and I agree w/Mr. E. If he was such a monster, child molester, pervert, that didn’t stop children from coming to his house (which the parents obviously allowed) and as stated, they still took those payouts and let the man who “supposedly” molested their kid go free. Now what person in their right mind would do that unless they were only after the money in the 1st place??? Yea he had his issues, but he is was still human and did a lot of good for people through his music and money. So what he lived in the Middle East. Cuz people like you wouldn’t let him rest in peace w/o defaming his name! And what celebrity doesn’t love drugs? I’m sure there are more doing them than not! Just leave this man alone and stop throwing dirt on his name. If you feel he is getting too much attention, STOP POSTING AND GIVING IT TO HIM. Because it does not matter if the attention is GOOD OR BAD its ALL MAKING HIM MONEY!! HATERS!!!
“He is a non issue. In fact he is a freak show and that is the only reason the media can not stop reporting about him. The media loves a train wreck…and he is still providing one after his death. Drugs, drugs and more drugs…all his personal choice.“ Excellent summation, loggerhead!
Sure, his music will live on, but to me, talented or not, he’ll always be a perverted child molester who hid behind his image to keep the freak monster he truly was in the shadows. Plus, he stole Farrah’s thunder. Good riddance.
Payouts to keep the families quiet? Quiet about what? The issue is that those families actually took “payouts” without even an attempt to have an alleged “child molester” charged, convicted and incarcerated for these alleged crimes. If someone had molested a child of mine, I would have surely made sure the monster was punished for his actions. No amount of money is worth a child’s innocence and it truly amazes me that many narrow-minded folk believe every single thing that they see or hear relayed in the media. Wow!
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