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Jackson Death Boosts New Media, Troubles Old

Mainstream media overwhelmed by stories from the blogosphere

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 6, 2009 10:01 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The onslaught of rumors, reports, and sometimes-true-sometimes-not stories about Michael Jackson has given a boost to new media sites like TMZ—which ran more than 150 Jackson stories in the week after his death—while mainstream press finds itself painstakingly sifting through stories to find the truth. “This is random people throwing things up against the wall to see what sticks,” Campbell Brown tells Broadcasting & Cable. “There’s all kinds of misinformation out there."

Jackson’s death sparked big numbers for YouTube, iTunes, and TMZ. Even so, not all advertisers will be persuaded to give the infamous gossip site their business, though younger brands likely will bend, says one exec. Meanwhile, as networks skate the line between enough coverage and too much, many are relying on connections with trustworthy Jackson sources—ABC employs Martin Bashir; CBS has hired biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli—and avoiding the wannabes “coming out of the woodwork,” says one producer.

Many magazines rushed special memorial issues to print, Advertising Age reports.
Many magazines rushed special memorial issues to print, Advertising Age reports.   (AP Photo/Entertainment Weekly)
TMZ was the first to report the news of Jackson's death.
TMZ was the first to report the news of Jackson's death.   (Getty Images)
Media outlets set up cameras and lights near the entrance to the Los Angeles County Coroners building June 26, 2009, where an autopsy was being performed on the body of Michael Jackson.
Media outlets set up cameras and lights near the entrance to the Los Angeles County Coroners building June 26, 2009, where an autopsy was being performed on the body of Michael Jackson.   (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
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This is obviously the news article of the year that people are going to monetize. - Rachel Ooms, VP-group media director at Moxie Interactive

There are so many myths. There are so many falsehoods. Every blog, every tabloid has a different idea of what happened. And there are just a lot of people surrounding Michael Jackson and his family who aren't credible. - Zev Shalev, executive producer at CBS

If it were a normal celebrity, we would say, ‘Oh, too bad, so sad, thank you for the memories.' But part of the nature of Michael Jackson is that as amazingly talented as he was, he was also so flawed. - Susan Zirinsky, executive producer of CBS News' 48 Hours

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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Timinator2K
Jul 6, 2009 5:38 AM CDT
Yes, the "old" media with their unquestionable "professionalism" and "high" moral ethics...to say anything they wanted, to print anything they wanted and never to be challenged on matters of the whole truth...which they alone were "entitled" to have the last public word over. Buh Bye Old Media, Rot In Pieces.

 
entertainment • media • celebrity • TMZ • Michael Jackson • advertisers • new media • celebrity death

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