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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.

Comments31 - 40 of 697

completely awful a tribute should have a good photo of him on the front, not his last moments how degrading for him. OK are just money grabbers, same with jade publishing the tribute mag before she had even died... complete vultures.

From michellewalters76 on Tue Jun 30 03:52PM
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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 roughly translates as: "It's a photo that perfectly illustrates the depths to which we will sink in order to sell copies of our ambulance chasing bog-paper rag. I have neither morals nor scruples and do not give a flying @#$% what readers think, as long as they keep buying the thing."

From jazza42uk on Tue Jun 30 03:53PM
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sick @#$%ers!

From chiedza.masara on Tue Jun 30 03:55PM
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Not only is publishing of such a picture a disgusting intrusion on this person in the last minutes of his life, just look at the words they have used on the cover... Official Tribute Issue... In LOVING MEMORY... they obviously no idea what that actually means?????? It's just sick sick sick and they should prosecuted out of existence and do us all a favour..

From anna_in_turkey on Tue Jun 30 03:55PM
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i cannot believe they would print that!

From kateladams84 on Tue Jun 30 03:55PM
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Just recall the furore of Diana's death as paparazzi stood photographing her as she bled to death, regardless of the fact their antics may have contributed to the crash. OK magazine just reopens this whole can of worms. Yes, Michael was a public figure in life, but in death he has earned his peace and to publish photographs just for the sales or titillation of a readership who have such shallow lives they ogle at others they consider to be celebrities is just shameful.

From stuanliz on Tue Jun 30 03:57PM
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I am appalled that this picture have been shamelessly printed, I hope his children
and family members do not suffer any distress because of it. You rocked, Michael!

From samtiablack on Tue Jun 30 03:57PM
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Think its disgraceful, I always buy OK, but not now. Disgusting.

From lollipops17 on Tue Jun 30 03:57PM
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It's disgusting and should not of been put on there surely there was a better picture to choose from. And what if Michaels kids had picked it up??

From willow122474 on Tue Jun 30 03:58PM
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I wouldn't wipe my ar se on it !

From hansford1 on Tue Jun 30 03:58PM
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