DUELING PR MACHINES...
[THE JACKSON CASE] ONE YEAR LATER

December 2004
by Debra Opri - Attorney and Legal Analyst

One year ago, I wrote of the churning publicity grist mill, and how both sides were soon to be inundated with a trial unlike any ever seen in American jurisprudence. Even the O.J. Simpson case would not match it.

I wrote of how the public relations machines of the parties in the Michael Jackson case are churning up and over, down and out, around and around, and right into our living rooms. With the announcement of the hiring by the Santa Barbara District Attorney's Office of a public relations firm to handle the media aspects of this case, the 'other' case, then the Kobe Bryant fiasco in Colorado, seemed to present a contrast between the two jurisdictions and the players, especially considering how they used their public relations.

While I questioned why a district attorney in Santa Barbara would have need of a publicist, I didn't reflect on why Michael Jackson did not seem to be relying upon his usual celebrity publicity machine. It was obvious, outside of the fans who rushed him during his court appearances, Michael seemed to run from the publicity machine. Interesting, when it would seem, more than ever, publicity to challenge what 'sources close to the case' [this despite a gag order of a year now] was feeding the media made publicity favorable to him more necessary than ever.

In a month or so, trial will begin. Michael Jackson will face his greatest challenge and his roughest audience - a jury. Looking back on this very difficult year for the Jackson family, what do we really know other than what we have been fed by a media with one-sided information. And what has this one year shown us, as a public who consumes every tidbit of information about Michael Jackson, no matter what it is? Why is it that the media wants 'anything' they can get their hands on to 'air' about Michael? For example, just what is so interesting and 'newsworthy' about Michael's ex-wife, Ms. Rowe, selling her wedding ring on E-bay?

While the question should be, "Where does it end?"

The reality based question is, "Why should it have to end?"

In this reality based world of real life suffering 'live' 'as it happens', Michael's reality show ..."Michael Jackson on Trial" is only in preshow commercials. This show won't end, even when the trial is over. The show is just beginning folks, and so is the media circus.

 

From the courtroom to your living room, this has been another edition of THE OPRI OPINION.