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SOURCES: http://content.usatoday.com/topics/topic/Martin%20Bashir
http://www.mediaite.com/online/martin-bashir-leaves-abc-news-for-msnbc-daytime-anchor-position/
All Media are Tabloids (aka Medialoids)
As everyone on the planet knows, Martin Bashir is the backstabbing “journalist” who created the mockumentary “Living with Michael Jackson” – that piece of two-faced, psychopathic, deft and dirty cut-up technique and falsified innuendo that was do doubt the model for similar subsequent attacks such as the one on Ms. Shirley Sherrod recently and attacks on many others which we see from the media almost daily ever since.
And, Bashir’s seedy hit-piece was absolutely one of the larger knives in Michael’s back which accelerated the end of Michael’s livelihood and career, his health, and his finally, his life.
To say that Martin Bashir had a hand in helping shove Michael Jackson to an early end to his career and an early end to his life is no understatement. And, the media have thusly all become such parasitic and psychopathic barbarian tabloids. Where does it end?
MSNBC’s president insists “this is the direction MSNBC wants to go.”
Their memo on Bashir indicates that they are proud that this media assassin snipped, cut, manipulated, and twisted his film on Michael Jackson to make a perfectly innocent Michael look guilty, and yes, resulting in additional allegations, investigations and a trial that destroyed Michael Jackson’s career and life:
Bashir is best known for making landmark documentaries including “Living With Michael Jackson,” which 27 million American viewers tuned in to watch in 2003 and prompted an extensive police investigation of the singer.
-MSNBC memo on Martin Bashir
Now, if that’s the direction they want to go I’m sure they’ll be happy to know that millions of Michael Jackson fans will not be going there with them due to this revolting development. MSNBC is the second-highest rated network in the U.S. right now. They can be assured that with this cockamamy decision, that rating will fall.
MJ fans can and should write to MSNBC concerning their further foray into the tabloidization of the network with unethical tabloid journalists like Bashir. Here’s where and how to contact them:
MSNBC Twitter http://twitter.com/msnbc
MSNBC Facebook http://www.facebook.com/msnbc
MSNBC Comments http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32359544/
PLEASE do be calm, stick to facts, and to not use profanity in your communications with MSNBC about this. Expressing concern about Bashir’s modus operandi particularly with the “Living With Michael Jackson” hit piece, expressing concern about Bashir’s tabloid-media tactics and further tabloidization of the media in general, and their network in particular, is acceptable dialogue. Hysteria, profanity, and ranting are not.
If you are a viewer of any of their programs, you might reconsider your viewing habits while reminding them that they will be losing viewers due to this ill-advised “choice” of theirs.
July 22nd, 2010 5:55 pm
Hi Seven,
for me, after the documentary manipulated, biased and a liar, this journalist showed his lack of character, decency, ethics and professionalism. He has not honored its commitment to present the truth to Michael. He betrayed and did not respect Michael, your family, your children and their fans. He shamed his class work and lost all credibility with the world.
July 22nd, 2010 6:59 pm
I never watch any of those news programs/stations. I watch my local news sometimes but I avoid all those news channels and programs like the Today Show, Good Morning America, etc. I think the only way to get the message across to the media is for everyone to seriously stop watching their programs. Easier said than done I suppose. It was easy for me to turn them off. I stick to watching the movie channels that I pay for, HGTV, some music channels, and an occasional network show such as dancing with the stars or america has talent. I don’t buy newspapers or magazines because of all the stupid tabloid stories you find in mostly all of them. The only newspaper I read every day is the Wall Street Journal but my company pays for that. The networks and newspapers still don’t get it. They cry that readership/viewership is down. But yet they still don’t understand that they continue to put out garbage that most people don’t want to watch/read. When they start putting people that are criminals on the air as hosts of shows that is really scraping the bottom of the barrel. I refuse to give them my vote so I just turn them off. If people were smart the would do the same. You vote with you money and your remote!!!!
July 22nd, 2010 7:44 pm
Seven,
I had just seen this revolting piece of “news” on my internet homepage. This is just one more bit of evidence as to how low “Journalism” has sunk! I must admit that it does not surprise me that MSNBC would find him credible and an asset to their “news team”. They haven’t been providing anything close to “news” for years, in my opinion, just like the rest of the so called “News” channels and Network “News” shows. I also read that he will be on Dateline NBC as well. As if I needed another excuse to turn off the T.V.!! Thank heavens for Michael’s music and DVD’s!! I can’t think of a single thing I would rather watch and listen to.
It just disgusts me that this lowest form of life continues to make a name for himself. All of his deceiptful, unethical, journalistic malpractice goes unpunished and ignored by those who claim to be “journalists” themselves. It is an embarrassment to all those involved! I don’t know if I can honestly even send a rational comment to MSNBC in a calm manner! I may have to take a few days to work on that one.
July 22nd, 2010 8:24 pm
Yikes! I can’t believe this! We all wanted Bashir terminated with ABC, but it would have been nice to see him eat dirt and die just a bit before getting another job. Easily the most disturbing news I have heard today. I am exiting your site right now to write to NBC News, and MSNBC, a channel I FORMERLY watched, but no more!
July 22nd, 2010 8:54 pm
I will be writing MSNBC!
July 22nd, 2010 9:04 pm
Too bad for MSNBC. He will only speed up the rate of their already sinking ship with the loss of countless viewers that they will no doubt suffer!
July 22nd, 2010 9:06 pm
Seven
I will absolutely send them an email voicing my dismay that this sorry piece of humanity is still making a living in Journalism. I thank you greatly for your blog. I read it every day!
July 23rd, 2010 2:04 am
He is nothing but a snake in the grass..We can boycott…It will hurt them.We have the numbers!
July 23rd, 2010 3:07 am
Just cause you interviewed Princess Diana, it doesn’t mean you are the king of England. I mean, come on What does Martin have that others don’t??? Good looks, vocal talent….. no no He has babblings of a rabid monkey that other journalists don’t have. He’s a backstabber, a black hearted scoundrel
He’s stupid…Total lie lover…he’s the grinch! >:[
I didn’t know MSNBC doesn’t like television ratings??? NUTS! They are crazy! This isn’t happening! We wont let them!
July 23rd, 2010 3:56 am
Hi Seven… I just wrote to them. I’m not even surprised by this development. We know that they are all
in this and they support each other. It just makes me feel so sad every time I think about what they
have done and how huge they are and how hard it is to stop this. All we can do is just our little bit.
After all, a waterfall starts with a drop, doesn’t it? Here’s my drop. This is what I wrote to MSNBC:
“I am deeply disappointed in your comment in favor of Martin Bashir’s documentary “Living With Michael
Jackson”. I am appalled that you would be glad that such manipulation of information would lead to that
investigation and crucifixion of an innocent man. Anyone who knew MJ or who even watched his own filming
of those interviews can clearly see that Martin Bashir is far from an ethical or professional journalist.
It is individuals like him who have twisted our media services, which should be objective and informative,
into what they are today: profit-mongering,unethical, shameless, brainwashing manipulators of the ignor-
ant. Don’t count on me to watch your programs…. ever.”
Thanks Seven. Like Kathleen J., I open your page every day, as you know. What would I do without you?
July 23rd, 2010 5:16 am
Bashir is just nuts, black hearted rabid monkey babbling all sort of blasphemy…He’s the Grinch!!!
Don’t let him speak/babble again!
July 23rd, 2010 5:43 am
Thank you for highlighting this move.
the MSNBC is not a company i have any knowledge of [i live in another country] but from the comments made, they herald what occurred with michael. they thus seem only concerned about ratings, i think that we as a some group can do little individually, but that does not mean we should not try. but with the sun newspaper, what ever you say is publicity for them, so we have to think smarter. who are the promoters of the company, who are the advertisers with the company, etc, if you can get them to denounce bashir articulately, then i think you will have a better result. you have to be a politican. look at mike he was alway restrained, i heard him speak on YT about his bad times with sony, and look at the control, look at how he delivered his words.
he was so able to deliver and prepare a speech, i am impressed with that. do you also remember his post 2005 comments apart for one maybe, he was alway so humble, he did not use words that become habit forming.
so in this campaign use restraint, or you lose your argument straight away when you use abusive words and disengage people. we have to engage people. we have allow people to hear our words, to connect to us.
i think it is the real power brokers you have to engage with, the seats of true power. what do you think?
did you see the interview with Akon, how he dealt with an interviewer who was going down the wrong path about mike, he needs to be commended. so if his public friends joined to vindicate mike then the media would back down. there needs to be a full stop. i also like the way that Neyo and Alicia Keys have talked about Mike. Alicia Keys publically defended mike during the 2005 trial. i must say and i have said this so many times, these are the people with keys.
July 23rd, 2010 8:41 am
Thanks for letting us know Seven. Bad decision by someone at msnbc. Have left a comment and a Tweet.
Wonder if the real truth is that Bashir’s contract wasn’t renewed by ABC?
“I do believe that we have always sought to reach for the very best in all our journalistic ventures.” – Bashir
Is he going to be a comedian now?
July 23rd, 2010 9:33 am
People who understand how the boardroom works…force Bashir to resign, but make an agreement with how it will be presented to the public. It happens all the time!
July 23rd, 2010 9:42 am
BG, good point, Bashir’s contract probably was NOT renewed by ABC; have you viewed Nightline’s site to see the over 1,000 negative comments about him? However, it’s disgusting to see that MSNBC picked him up. If that’s the “direction” MSNBC wants to go (according to its president), then we are all going in the opposite direction.
July 23rd, 2010 10:00 am
People who understand how the boardroom works…force Bashir to resign, but they have to make an agreement with him with how it will be presented to the public. It happens all the time!
July 23rd, 2010 11:48 am
This is the way, the media works. Money is all that counts and they making it with lies and ridiculous dirty stories. There are no serious journalists anymore. The only way to fight against them is a boycott, so you get
them were they are hurting, at their purse.
July 23rd, 2010 12:13 pm
That’s true appleh,
They themselves have to be confronted with and publicly humiliated about their filthy psychopathic tactics, and/or it needs to cost them $$$ – ie: when it hurts THEM to do what they do, they’ll stop.
And ONLY then.
They don’t care as long as it only hurts someone else. But if / when it hurts THEM to do this to people, they will stop.
July 23rd, 2010 12:48 pm
Martin Bashir was held in disdain by his peers in the UK. He was even sanctioned several times for unethical conduct and one charge was upheld by the BSC. He made a disgusting sexist and racist remark when speaking at an industry event that he had to apologise for. He’s been accused of twisting more stories at Nightline. The dirty tricks used in LWMJ are now commonplace at ‘news’ organisations in many countries.
He’s contributed to costing Californians millions lost through a hopeless trial (at which he, weasel-like, hid behind shield law and a gaggle of lawyers). Taxes on possible Michael Jackson earnings were not realised. Tabloid bloodlust was further fuelled. Etc, etc, etc.
Hell, the guy was voted #5 in the 100 Worst Britons TV series ……. by his own countrymen! Even his son’s friend apparently set fire to his car.
I can only surmise that NBC are desperate and ignorant, or cynical and cunning; either way, I pray they are due for an education.
July 23rd, 2010 4:42 pm
WELL SAID Gavin Saunders!
July 23rd, 2010 8:53 pm
I applaud the British Journalists that recognized what a sleazy, fraud of a journalist, this poor excuse for a human being was and is! Thanks for the info from Gavin Saunders. We can only hope that “Journalists” in this country and others will wake up and see that their profession is becoming a laughing stock.
I would say that the NBC Peacock has become a huge Vulture on this one. (no insult intended to Vultures!)
Also, I saw the Akon Interview regarding Michael that is mentioned in an above post and it is wonderful. I don’t know anything about Akon except that the song (Hold My Hand) which he recorded with Michael is beautiful. He certainly puts the “E-news” flunky in his place when he tries to do the usual negative twist regarding Michael. It is worth checking out.
July 23rd, 2010 9:30 pm
Hey Seven, here is another example of Bashir doing his dirty work! Somehow, someway, he managed to scam Sean “Diddy” Combs into doing an interview a few weeks ago, and he used the same tactics that he used towards MJ! Here’s a breakdown of the interview:
@ 1:00 Diddy greets Bashir for the interview. They hi-five and hug like they’re bests friends. This is part of Bashir’s plan to “earn” Diddy’s trust and make him feel comfortable. Sound familiar?
@ 2:00 After Diddy explains the different parts of his business empire, Bashir accuses him of being a “megalomaniac”, and condescendingly asks him if he would promote “Diddy Dog Food”. Would he say the same thing to Donald Trump? I don’t think so!
@ 4:00 Bashir asks Diddy about the murders of Biggie Smalls and 2pac, and after Diddy says he no longer speaks about the murders, Bashir continues to badger him into answering. (Similar to the way he badgered MJ about the plastic surgery).
@ 5:45 Bashir calls Diddy a “gangsta rapper”, which is a complete insult to Diddy’s image as a mogul & entrepreneur.
@ 6:50 Bashir asks Diddy if he feels he setting a bad example by having “multiple children by multiple mothers”, thus insinuating that he’s an irresponsible father. He then asks if it was sensible to buy his son a Maybach, and Diddy answers by saying he “doesn’t owe anyone an explanation”! If only MJ had stood up to Bashir in a similar manner!
@ 9:15 Bashir & Diddy discuss how to “mindf*^k” someone, which perfectly describes what Bashir did to gain both Diddy’s and MJ’s trust!
Although Diddy is a huge MJ fan, and respects MJ’s legacy, it’s CLEARLY OBVIOUS that he hasn’t done any research on MJ’s molestation allegations, because if he had, he would have known to avoid Bashir at all costs!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF-5B4VY3_c
July 24th, 2010 1:24 am
I agree with Seven and Joyce that was perfectly said Gavin. Seeing how MSNBC constantly replayed Bashir’s chopped up documentary LWMJ right after Michael was murdered it doesn’t surprise me that they would give Bashir a job on their network.
I checked out that Akon interview omgosh that put a smile on my face. Akon wasn’t haven’t it at all and the reporter was trying to play it off (pathetically I might add), but Akon let him know right quick he wasn’t playin. I loved it when he said “cause the translation always comes out wrong.” Translation was the perfect word to use. Those that speak twisted, nonsense garbage don’t understand truth and for the medialiods to understand truth they need to be schooled. Akon was about to school that little reporter.
July 24th, 2010 3:54 am
Where did all the great journalists go… I wonder?
Could it be that they’re just being ignored, knowing the issues they have to say aren’t making enough ‘money’?
Is that why your company chose to hire a lowlife like Bashir, cuz he got ‘27 million’ US vieuwers to watch?
Did your company REALLY think that its cuz of Bashit that they tuned in?
Really? Do you think that much and that highly of your new staffmember?
Do you think the world cares about him?
Oprah Winfrey did an intervieuw with Michael Jackson. Viewed by 90 MILLION PEOPLE.
Why, could it be that they tune in to watch Michael Jackson?
Or did these millions of people do so for the sake of Oprah or Bashit?
Its Michael Joseph Jackson that is the one people want to hear from. NOT your dear Bashit.
And if that is the way that your company wants to head, do you honestly believe that people will DO an intervieuw with your new staff member, knowing what he did to Michael Joseph Jackson? KILLING him!!?
You have got to be delusional. Really. To think that you would hire a cocaroach eating and living off other people’s work and lives, by creating lies, manipulating their words, judging and in Michael’s case chasing him to court!?
I can’t get over how sickening the idea is to have someone in my home – with my children and family – for 8 whole months – that was that revolting and develish. Talk about a JudasKiss, right?
Anyway, its sickening, and because you love the idea to have Bashit on your team to recreate these tales, (you really think that anyone, famous or not famous, would ever want to work with that monster – I must say you really have high hopes) – I will be sickened no more and will never view your channel.
You may consider the fact, we are millions and millions in fannumbers, and even the regular people find his ‘work’ with Michael sickening.. We’ll see how many millions of vieuwers you’ll loose.
Hum.. about 27 million I’d safely say?
I tried to be ‘polite’ in my mail – this is the politest I could go…
love
Hayat
July 24th, 2010 6:35 am
That comment quoted from MSNBC is so sick!
July 24th, 2010 6:14 pm
David, I checked out the Diddy interview – wow, i can’t believe it! bashir is a complete sewer rat isn’t he. i don’t know why but for some reason i sort of assumed he would have stopped doing that, that he would have learnt a lesson! i am SO naive! your comments are spot on, and i loved the way Diddy said bashir was the best at mindf****g! but why did bashir have to ask what the word meant, of course he knew! he was trying to make himself appear pure! as if he ever could! it would be great if Diddy made a complaint, its still live, he could do so because he received lots of insults there and bashir’s whole attitude as you say is SO condescending.
i so hate bashir’s voice, its so affected, so arrogant, so patronizing and judgemental, so over the top trying to speak with the Queens english but just sounding not like any other english person does. Yuk, Yuk Yuk! I am ashamed he is from my country.
July 24th, 2010 7:28 pm
When the documentary first aired, I remember feeling uneasy because of the way Bashir behaved with Michael. Anyone who watched it would come away questing Michael’s motives. I could see how Bashir was trying to manipulate Michael into admitting to weird things. Michael became uncomfortable with the questions and at one point said, “It is benieth you Martin to go there, you know better than that”. Poor Michael. There were enough people publicly trying to make him look bad and then Bashir did this to him. It was an awful portrayal of him. I do believe it had an effect on how the public saw him from then on. Journalism is an admirable craft, but what Bashir did was not journalism. It was like watching tabloid TV. He was no friend and I’m sorry Michael did not see that. It must have crushed Michael to think this man betrayed him so. What a stab in the back. How much can a porson take. Michael had a heart and feelings just like everyone else on this earth. I hope that Bashir will come to regret what he did. I hope he feels the pain of knowing he played a part in Michael’s demise. We loved him and miss him so. I don’t think Michael is up there hating anyone. I don’t hate either, but I do hope Bashir understand’s what his junk story did to Michael.
July 25th, 2010 12:08 am
Seven, here’s another reason why NBC chose to hire Bashir!
Remember that info I sent you on Dateline trying to blackmail MJ into an interview in Feb. 2003? (You used it in one of your previous “Mad Dogs & Media posts). They said they’d pay him $5 million AND they wouldn’t air an episode of Dateline that would “investigate” the 1993 case if he agreed to be interviewed about the Bashir documentary disaster. As we all know, he rejected NBC’s offer, and they retaliated by not only airing the Dateline episode, but extending it to two hours!
Well, I found some more dirt on that episode! The reason it seemed like it came from tabloid trash is because IT ACTUALLY DID COME FROM TABLOID TRASH! They interviewed the “author” of the book “Freak”, which is literally a compilation of tabloid articles from the Star, the Globe, and the National Enquirer. There are some other examples that are listed in the article, and after you read it you’ll realize that NBC sunk to an all time low.
NBC has already proven that when it comes to MJ, they are willing to stoop to the lowest levels, so it’s only fitting that they hired Bashir! You should use this article in your next “Mad Dogs and Media” post!
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,78862,00.html
July 25th, 2010 1:53 am
I really can’t believe that you would employ a character like this. Someone to purposely hurt another human being.Maybe, it doesn’t matter to you beacause It was Michael Jackson. I say take a stand and fight for Michael. I feel as though BASHIR MARTIN, vandalized Michael’s trust. He did the video his way to add injry to insult. I’m with all the followers that’s supporting the firing of Martin. Please, take a stand don’t let him abuse someone else’s trust. This station will not be watched in my home until I see that BASHIR MARTIN IS GONE!!!
Sincerely,
A Devoted and Loyal Fan Of Michael Jackson for over 27 years.
July 25th, 2010 2:24 am
David,
Those tactics you talk about between Batsheet and Diddy are more than what is on the surface. He wasn’t just trying to use Diddy for a sensationlistic interview but change the public perception of this group of musical arists in general. It is an overall way to stiffle them now before they can start speaking out about all the corruption that is going on the the music industry. They know what is happening and the media wants to get ahead of it so if they do speak out their words will not have an impact. Remember the music industry is a part of the media. It was a purposeful and targeted interview for the sake of public perception as shown by those topics that Batsheet brought up…in order to paint them all with the same brush. Thugs…too much money for their own good…trying to rise too high…crimminals with guns…unresponsible in their private lives…it is character assination of a group…not just Diddy. It is just one piece of many things you will probably see happening soon. Moves on a chess board…Diddy was just one of the pawns.
I am surprised Diddy agreed to this interview. I didn’t see it. What was the premise of doing it? To promote a new record? There are waves going on under the surface. I hope soon these artists will speak out and tell us what the real struggle is about…what they are going through and what Michael went through because of the greed and control in the music industry and the overall unspoken superiority games they play…’we made ya…play the game or we’ll break ya’.
July 25th, 2010 5:14 am
Thanks, David, for bringing the interview with Diddy to our attention. We wouldn’t know about it over here in Europe. But why the hell did Diddy let Bashir interview him and greet him “like a long lost friend”? I mean this was Bashir’s typical voice-over like he did it in LWMJ. You can’t take it serious. But I didn’t like Diddy talking of a compliment when he called Bashir’s tacticts mindf**ing. He seems to know him and his tactics.
July 25th, 2010 6:13 am
Nancy, you are right! i didn’t see that before, it felt weird but you’ve hit the nail on the head.
all the stuff about gangsters and rival murders,trying to make artists look shady.
who’s the biggest black artist currently?
Diddy, Usher, Akon, Neyo, Kanye, …+++++. Who? we need to watch carefully what happens to them. and they need to watch out.
Bashir thinks because he has a stupid posh english voice with over the top overtones of white english public school (except he actually grew up on a south london council estate and went to a local comprehensive school then southampton university – not prestigious – so where did he learn that voice? probably practised in front of a mirror), and has done the Michael Jackson deed for them, he thinks that he has made himself a white man. there is racism between asian and black african so he thinks he’s superior to black african. what he doesn’t realise is the white media corporations will use him for what suits them and then spew him out as well. standard bullying cyclical behaviour.
bashir’s time is limited, if he stopped playing the game he would be OUT on his ear. he will never tell the truth, his ambitions would be ruined if he did, he has sold his soul to money and his own fame. according to the Independent, Max Clifford said years ago that “Martin Bashir was interested in Martin Bashir first and second. nothing else comes into it”.the BBC wouldn’t employ him now, not since the Diana interview where there was issues over forged bank statements he had created and used as lure in his tactics to get the interview.
basir is everything we’ve said but he is also just a pawn in a much larger game, he just can’t see it because he’s so consumed with his own importance.
July 25th, 2010 1:30 pm
That whole LWMJ documentary was a joke. I didn’t go away from it thinking he was a pedo. I went away thinking that Martin Bashir had the mind of a toddler and the morals of satan. He deliberately questioned Michael’s motives on everything. His parenting, plastic surgeries, abuse from his father, Neverland guests, Gavin (the LIAR) Arvizo and his scummy family, his moonwalk (he criticized Michael for teaching him to moonwalk the way he did), his songwriting (though he focused very little on Michael’s musical achievements). The man is a absolute idiot. His lead up “I had to confront him” lol “confront” him. Were you gonna beat up Michael too Martin????? Where you gonna free all the children who had been victimized??? Give me a f#*@ing break.
July 25th, 2010 8:51 pm
Seven, I am right up there with you on your hatred for Bashir, and I think MSNBC really sold Bashir short on his credentials. They admit they are happy to welcome him to the network because he fits in with their journalistic policy. Of course he does…look who works for MSNBC! But they only stated that Bashir’s documentary prompted a police investigation of Michael. Come on, MSNBC, be generous with your kudos by adding that his twisted program also helped KILL him! Poor Michael thought Bashir would treat him fairly based on how he handled Princess Diana. He liked and respected the princess, but didn’t see what Bashir was really trying to do. Forever trusting, our Michael…if only he had known.
For anyone who thinks Bashir did Princess Diana a favor with his interview did not see how this snake was working on her emotions just as he worked Michael. Bashir manipulated Diana with the same tactics, by taking advantage of her weakness and pretending to be supportive – all the while insinuating himself into her trust. The end result was Diana answering Bashir’s probing questions without thinking twice and without regard to the consequence it may have on her standing with Buckingham Palace. She let her guard down by openly trashing Prince Charles. Whether you like Charles or not, he is the father of her two sons, one of whom is bound to become the next king. That is just not cricket when public protocol is everything with royalty. Diana was innocently lulled into a false sense of validation by Bashir, and the results were tragic from a public relations standpoint.
So if smoke and mirrors are what MSNBC is about, Bashir has found his niche and should feel right at home. I’m sure ABC is glad to be rid of him!
July 26th, 2010 9:43 am
Bashir spins: “It has been my privilege to partner with you at ABC and I shall forever be grateful for your professionalism, kindness and support. I do believe that we have always sought to reach for the very best in all our journalistic ventures.”
The TRUTH: ABC finally wised up and saw Bashir for the demon that he really is. He is actually giving the reasons why they canned him — Bashir did NOT meet any of those standards!
July 26th, 2010 11:08 am
Martin BaSHIT was demoted and he’s trying to save face. He’s gonna cover the afternoon news and MSNBC is glad to have him??? Haven’t they learned from the BBC who would never allow him to work for them again. Martin is disgraced in Britain which is why he came to America. Of course the U.S. would be glad to have a biased medialoid trash “journalist” instead of one with integrity and professionalism.
July 27th, 2010 4:21 pm
I am not surprised that the lowest form of being was hired at this network. I stopped watching this cable network last year after Michael’s death. ABC lost my viewership years ago, when MB was hired. And Nightline was my favorite late night news show!!! I will not support any network that employs any indiviual who was anti-MJ!!
Once I thought this network did good investagative work. One of this network’s main prime time program is a “sting operation” of catching child predetors on tape. Well I noticed that this type of programing either preceded or followed the lynch-umentary LWMJ. And when they kept including MJ in the same dialogue…that was it for me!!!!!!!.
I, and I am sure millions of others were so hungry to watch anything MJ. I kept watching for the balancing documentary of the truth or redemption, which does exist or new investigative reporting showing the truth. I was disappointed… it never came. I always knew to stay away from tabloids…it was then that I realized the mainstream was just as bad. At that point, I made a decision, not to watch THAT network ever again.
July 27th, 2010 4:59 pm
Dear Seven,
This article i found months ago , dont know anymore where, It s a tribute to Michael Jackson, and it was so on point about the whole Bashir fiasco, i would like to share it with you and fellow posters.
Its a long article,in fact its part of a much longer article, but i only send the part about the Bashir interview Which in itself is very long.
If you think it is too long or not fitting, feel free to refuse it .
The author is Filip Panusz, september 2009, posted by Jan, feb 20th 2010.
“There is a crack in evrything. Thats how the light gets in ” (Leonard Cohen) The Bashir interviews : Casting Pearls before Swine.
When i first watched Martin Bashirs notorious ” Living with michael Jackson” , i could not help but cry. I felt as though i was witnessing the public humiliation flogging and crucifixion of a helpless child.
My first thought was ‘why did Michael agree to do this? He should have refused.’ Upon some reflection however, i realized that Michael was willing to expose himself(repeatedly) to Bashir’s sadistic onslaught precisely because of who he was. Michael assumed Bashirs intentions were pure. He wanted to believe that Bashir would not manipulate what had been said, and that the journalists wish was simply to share the truth with the world. Why not believe this to be the case? Why assume that the interviewers instincts could be self-interested or impure?
Would that not be admitting that the world is ugly -that the world is and will never be Neverland.
The contrast between Bashir and Michael really could not be greater. Bashir went out of his way to appear reasonable and measured. Michael on the other hand had little regard for how he appeared. His main concern was the truth of how he felt. To many people he appreared “crazy” . The truth ofcourse, was just the opposite. Bashir was constantly cynical, sardonic , judgemental and seemed to exhibit a pathological indifference when, again and again , he picked at Michaels open wounds.
He showed no regard for the human heart and its anguish. If he had any concern for Michael’s torment, perhaps he was too proud to show it. Bashir concealed his cruelty behind a facade of intelligent , reasonable and intellectual professionalism, as if he were merely a skilled journalist in the disinterested pursuit of the truth. But it is when things sound perfectly civilized and appear so prim and proper that we should be most wary and suspicious.
If we pay close attention, we see that Michael posseses the genuine and good heart and is quite reasonable in all he stands for, whereas Bashir is the true sociopath.
Bashir conducts his hurtful interviews all the meanwhile adhering to the highest professional protocol and journalistic etiquette. At one point in the broadcast, Bashir reflects: ‘confronting Michael wasnt going to be easy , but now it had to happen ” , as if this shift to difficult personal subject matter were the result of some inescapable logic, which dictates that truth must be unearthed , whatever the human toll.
It is not relevant or important to Bashir how personal the truth may be , whether it has any important humane or useful significance to anyone, or what the human consequences of the pursuit of the truth might be. The single thing that matters is the succesful exposure of facts, which will presumably secure for Bashir great pride among peers.
The value of supreme objectivity in the persistent pursuit of truth evidently overweighs the value of a real human being.
In yet another disingenious attempt to establish his superior ethical and professional credentials, Bashir explains that his questioning is inspired by a ‘worry ‘ for Michaels children.
Meanwhile Michael sits and wrihtes in obvious discomfort. Seeing this, Bashir, ever the objective scientist in hot pursuit, does not desist but rather intensifies his inquest .
Michael , the victim, is increasingly desperate and begins to crack. His humanity is bared for all to see.
Michaels legs tremble with anxiety. Under duress, Michael opens up and his emotions spill over.
He laments a crazy world in which children are given guns and computers even as they are deprived of human contacts and compassion.
Defenseless in his innocense and so pure that he cannot fathom the foul logic of mature reason, Michael describes the act of sharing one bed with a child as an expression of care and love.
“Why does it mean so much to you ” asks Bahir. seemingly concerned. But there is just barely palpable accusatory tone : ‘wouldnt a normal, rational person care less?’ Perhaps you care so much because you are demented or perverted?”
The proper question ofcourse is, how anyone could ever be indifferent to the plight of children in an alienating world? How could anyone care less?
Bashirs rationality has itself become pathological deviation.
Bashir stands in judgement over a phenomenon he cannot understand , because he has grown up beyond where he could ever comprehend the simplicity of a pure heart.
His logic is far too sophisticated and proud. When we have grown up to the point where we are actually capable of disappointingly analyzing a tragedy without breaking down, and crying about it, we have then truly lost our humanity.
Erecting ideals like Neverland in an effort to cope with dismal reality is not a moral failure.
Properly seen, its just a symptom of or testament to the pathological state of the world. The moral failure is the dismal reality itself
Bashir is the sort of person who could stab a person and , with cool and calm demeanor , go on to ask the victim why he is in pain.
He is ‘disturbed’ by Jacksons ostensibly eccentric behaviour and ‘concerned” for the children, all the meanwhile inflicting psychological torture on the father.
The manipulative journalist exploits Michaels sensitivity.
He throws Michael off balance and then points to his angst as evidence of character flaws.
At times his interrogation borders on sadism.
Knowing it will open painful wounds, he nevertheless pries into Michaels demons.
Perhaps what Bashir was really looking for in his ideal subject was a cold hard rock rather than a human being.
WHAT HE FOUND INSTEAD WAS A SAINT.
July 28th, 2010 3:13 pm
Well said Sina, thats a brilliant commentary on the programme. Your point about bashir being the sort that will stab someone then ask why they are in pain is spot on – sociopathic bullying. unfortunately i have also met someone like that, bullied me and many others at work with just the same as what you’ve said. it leaves you feeling confused and to blame even tho you can’t figure out WHY you are to blame and what you have done. like domestic abuse too. they are also able to get other people believing their lies. its very clever and a technique that normal innocent people cannot get their head round, so the cumulative effect over time is great trauma. i think hitler and stalin were also like that – more progressed and with even more devasting results of course but the way of behaving was the same. its a continuum, i bet they all and bashir started by pulling the legs and wings off insects just to see what happened.
July 29th, 2010 11:12 am
There are few people that I hate, and Bashir is one of them. I really like to congratulate MSNBC, and I will write them this. The copy of their memo leaves me no choice but be happy that they hired Bashir. This way, they brought in the Trojan Horse, the bad “VIRUS”. I hope that they will sink together as soon as possible. I don’t think that they are able to open their eyes for the truth. There are so many stobburn, twisted minds in tabloid-land. I ask myself what is behind all this. Many times is said : money. But If I would see reports in newspapers/magazines about all the orphanages, hospitals, schools….. that Michael visited. About all the good things that he did (he and others) then I would buy these. Now I am not. I do not watch TV anymore and have no newspapers/magazines. Since June 25 2009 my life changed completely. I wish I had known more about Michael before. I do feel guilty about that. But now, I try to be his biggest supporter. If companies wanted to earn money by writing about Michael, they could have written all the good things he did !!! I cannot believe it is only money that is behind it. There must be more…I wait to see Bashir fall down on his knees and ask forgiveness to Michael. Seven, thank you for the great stories. I cannot agree more with all the comments.
If Bashir would have had real concern about Michael’s children, and all children in general, he would have treated Michael honestly, and with respect. But he could not care less about any children : he stole from them their father and their biggest support for all the children of the world. Shame on you Mr. Bashir.