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| Michael Jackson News Michael Jackson's Statement regarding the Marting Bashir Interview The following statement has been issued on behalf of Michael Jackson and MJJ Productions Inc: Michael is devastated and feels utterly betrayed by the British television programme, ÂLiving with Michael JacksonÂ, presented by Martin Bashir and broadcast in the UK on Monday 3rd February 2003, which he regards as a gross distortion of the truth and a tawdry attempt to misrepresent his life and his abilities as a father. In a number of crucial respects Michael is concerned that Martin Bashir and Granada Television have broken the trust he placed in them. In particular, he felt he had obtained their assurance that his children would not be featured in any way in the broadcast programme. Michael repeatedly asked Bashir to stop filming his children, and was promised by him that the footage of his children would be taken out in the final edit but, Bashir said, shooting should not be stopped because Âit would break the continuity of filmingÂ. Michael is deeply upset that the programme sensationally sets out to use two or three pieces of footage giving a wholly distorted picture of his behaviour and conduct as a father. Michael feels particularly devastated that he has been treated so badly by Martin Bashir, whom he let into the Jackson family home on a number of occasions over eight months, in the belief that Bashir wished to make a genuine documentary of his life. Michael believes that what was eventually broadcast was a salacious ratings chaser, designed to celebrate Martin Bashir and which was indifferent to the effect on Michael personally, his family and his close friends. Michael originally consented to grant Bashir extended access to the Neverland Valley Ranch, his family and Michael himself, because he wanted to give the world a faithful representation of the truth about his life. Michael believes that the programme Bashir has produced is a travesty of the truth. Michael would never have consented to participating in this film if he had been aware of how Bashir was going to portray him. Michael believes that this programme was intentionally produced and edited with a view to broadcasting sensationalized innuendo. Michael feels deeply angry that the programme could have led viewers to conclude that he abuses children in any way. Michael Jackson has never, and would never, treat a child inappropriately or expose them to any harm and totally refutes any suggestions to the contrary. Michael would never betray the trust that a child, or their parents, might place in him. Michael was today moved to make the following personal statement: ÂI trusted Martin Bashir to come into my life and that of my family because I wanted the truth to be told. Martin Bashir, persuaded me to trust him that his would be an honest and fair portrayal of my life and told me that he was Âthe man that turned DianaÂs life around (referring to the late Diana, Princess of Wales). I am heartbroken that someone whom I treated as a friend could stoop so low. ÂToday I feel more betrayed than perhaps ever before; that someone, who had got to know my children, my staff and me, whom I let into my heart and told the truth, could then sacrifice the trust I placed in him and produce this terrible and unfair programme. ÂIt breaks my heart that anyone could truly believe that I would do anything to harm or endanger my children: they are the most important thing in my life. ÂEveryone who knows me will know the truth which is that my children come first in my life and that I would never harm any child. ÂI also want to thank my fans around the world for the overwhelming number of messages of support that I have received, particularly from Great Britain, where people have e-mailed me and said how appalled they were by the Bashir film. Their love and support has touched me greatly. ÂLiving with Michael Jackson was broadcast on Monday 3rd February 2003 in the United Kingdom on the commercial channel, ITV, and was produced by the Granada Television programme ÂTonightÂ. Granada TelevisionÂs Âinvestigative journalistÂ, Martin Bashir, fronted the programme. The programme was viewed by Michael Jackson for first time late on Wednesday 5th February 2003. A version of the programme was re-broadcast in the Netherlands and in Australia on 4th February and is due to be broadcast in the USA, on ABC, on Thursday 6th February 2003 source: MJ News International In the UK, a staggering 14.1 million people watched Living With Michael Jackson on ITV1 last night. This represented a 53.9% audience share. These ratings are truly extraordinary. source: MJ News International According to various media reports, Michael Jackson did not attend the actual funeral services for Maurice Gibb yesterday - but turned up later along with the late Bee Gee's brother Barry to pray privately. The New York Post reports that more than an hour after the funeral ended - and after Maurice's twin, Robin, and other family members left the Riverside Funeral Chapel - the twins' elder brother, Barry, pulled up with Michael in a limo. "He (Barry) was too distraught to go to the funeral," a family spokesman told the Post. "He and Michael went in for private prayers." About 150 mourners attended the private funeral - including Eric Clapton, Harry Casey of K.C. and the Sunshine Band, singer Randy Newman and criminal lawyer Roy Black. There were family pictures surrounding the coffin and dozens of bunches of flowers in the funeral parlor - the largest of which was sent by Michael. source: MJ News International
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