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Comment: A new low for OK! magazine

Tue Jun 30 03:19PM

OK! magazine sank to a new low this week by publishing on its front page what it proudly calls "the last ever pictures of Michael Jackson".

It would appear the term ‘rest in peace' is lost on OK! with its publishers Northern & Shell forking out an estimated £300,000 for rights to use the image.

The photograph shows Michael seemingly unconscious with tubes coming out of his mouth as medical staff try to resuscitate him.

The magazine then has the cheek to call it an "official tribute issue". To me the word "tribute" indicates a certain amount of respect. Now, please somebody show me where on the page any respect is shown to Michael Jackson or his family.

Sarah Ivens, OK!'s editorial director, said: "It's a photo that captures the surprise and the upset and the moment of this breaking news story. I hope the cover will provoke readers."

This is a pale attempt to try and avoid saying what they have really done, which is publishing wholly unnecessary and intrusive images in an attempt to sell a product.

The media can be a cut-throat industry, that's no secret. I, myself, have to try and engage readers from events such as the death of Michael Jackson, but there's a line and OK! has crossed it.

As Andrew Marr foresaw last week, there are three stages to the Michael Jackson reporting; first his death was reported, then the inquest into his death was covered; now the final stage will then be the picking apart of the man. It would appear we're well into that now.

Comments1 - 10 of 697

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Spot on, mate.

From daniel.tolu on Tue Jun 30 03:25PM
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Lowest of the low. Never purchased this mag, can honestly say I never will. Sick.

From damiansa40 on Tue Jun 30 03:26PM
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Oh my good god! Thats pretty damn wrong if you ask me

From high.house on Tue Jun 30 03:26PM
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I am absolutely disgusted by the use of this picture and I shall be writing to the editor to tell her as much. It goes beyond the realms of decency, and anyone who thinks this is journalism needs to be directed towards something more responsible.

From laurafell on Tue Jun 30 03:26PM
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I assume you meant rest in peace, not 'piece' but anyway. You make a valid point, and I can't deny that I was shocked when I saw the photo as the cover of the tribute issue. Surely this is not how we should remember him? A photo from his 'glory days' would have been more fitting; a happy photo, one that shows his success perhaps. Either way, OK magazine has poor taste, and only stands to highlight how the world of celebrity is becoming more and more twisted.

From agirlcallededdi@ymail.com on Tue Jun 30 03:27PM
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I am absolutely disgusted by the use of this picture and I shall be writing to the editor to tell her as much. It goes beyond the realms of decency, and anyone who thinks this is journalism needs to be directed towards something more responsible.

From laurafell on Tue Jun 30 03:27PM
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I am absolutely disgusted by the use of this picture and I shall be writing to the editor to tell her as much. It goes beyond the realms of decency, and anyone who thinks this is journalism needs to be directed towards something more responsible.

From laurafell on Tue Jun 30 03:27PM
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its rubbish.i would not waste my money on it.

From carolthegodess on Tue Jun 30 03:28PM
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disgraceful

From jaclark8669 on Tue Jun 30 03:28PM
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That picture is awfully disturbing. No body wants to see any human in that situation, and expecially not when he is an icon to so many.
May he Rest In Peace without the media circus.

From sue.walker88 on Tue Jun 30 03:30PM
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