June 25th … mark the date!
On June 25th, a world institution, seen all over the world, resepected by a great many, and worshipped by some, passed away suddenly in the night.
Over the last few years, health concerns were visible, but as humanity tends to do, we put it all to the back of our mind, happy to delude ourselves. We did not want to deal with the reality and mortality we see all around us. we always looked for signs of the ‘Glory Days’ to return.
Accusations flied, a once glorious institution myered in slander and muck-raking. We watched as the vampires circled, revelling in the double-dealings and innuendo. We stared as the money began to run dry, the cracks in the facade grew deeper. Constantly the image changed, modernised, but with every new face, we could see the slow shifting from the mainstream, to somewhere stranger and more disturbing.
We had glimpses of how it used to be. for brief shining moments we revelled in the feeling that this bastion would once again return to show us the true talent and genius which stole our hearts the first time.
But … it was not to be.
June 25th is the day.
The day we all at some level dreaded, but knew it was inevitable.
June 25th is the day that … (I can hardly say it) … that … that the BBC stopped being a legitimate international news institution!
Over the last 12 hours, we have watched the BBC descend itself from a Reuters style seeker of truth, to the worst and most vapid level of tabloid journalism.
Some of the ‘highlights’ of the reporting of the death of Michael jackson have been:
The unmoving ‘Michael Jackson is Dead’ headline on the news ticker
The constant playing and replaying of Michael Jackson music videos, behind every interview, every personal piece.
Calling in a biographer of MADONNA to ask her regarding the effect of Michael Jackson in the mainstream (constantly qualified with the initial statement of ‘Well, I knw of course we are not talking about Madonna, but …)
The scrolling news ticker of not news, but ‘tweets’ from various celebrities announcing their shock and sadness.
Interviews at Glastonbury with third rate bands announcing their shock and sadness, and how they are going to tribute MJ in their sets.
Interminable helicopter wide shots around the UCLA Medical centre
An interview with a Michael jackson fan in the studio, 10 minutes of prime rolling news time given over to how he met his hero once
The statement from Jermaine jackson, finishing with a plea for the press to ‘respect the family’s privacy’ … immediately followed by a shot of Michael Jackson’s body being wheeled into the coroner’s office
Lurid shots of the ambulance reversing out of Michael Jackson’s home, unable to reverse due to all the press filming it in it’s way
Uri Gellar … just being Uri Gellar. blaming the media for pushing Michael to the brink, while reclining on his living room sofa having invited those very cameras into HIS HOME!
Going ‘live via satellite’ to places such as SINGAPORE to guage reaction around the world.
The constant references and comparison to ‘the grief after the death of Diana’
But, the most devastating of all …
The complete ignoring of all other news around the world!
In fact, they read out various e-mails from viewers asking that there at least been some balance in the reporting, but them staring straight down the barrel of the camera, and basically telling the audience that they understand there is other shit going on in the world, but they just didnt care as this story trumped everything else going on in the world right now.
That, in itself, shows just how far the BBC has fallen. the constant celebrity Interviews (Estelle, Craig David … what???) the constant Diana comparison, hours after hours of MJ music videos, speculation and tittle tattle. The BBC has lost all credibility, and any sense of proportion.
Oh, by the way, in Iran the Ayatollah has declared the recent election result legitimate. Not only that, but also has declared the result ‘the healthiest election result in decades’. Apparently, as has been stated, there was no MAJOR election corruption. Hold on, no ‘Major’ election corruption … so there was minor corruption but thats okay?
I would say that’s a story.
Not that you’d know watching the BBC …
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