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OK! magazine has explained its decision to use a picture of Michael Jackson's final moments on its tribute issue to the star.
Editorial director Sarah Ivens said the image “captures the surprise and the upset and the moment of this breaking news story”.
But Jackson's fans have already launched an online petition against the cover, which it alleges is “a violation of the basic rights of human beings”.
The picture shows Jackson being given CPR in the back of an ambulance last Thursday. The singer died just hours later in a Los Angeles hospital.
OK! is believed to have paid around $500,000 for the cover image, which Ivens said she hoped would “provoke readers”.
"It celebrated the man, but it also does expose that he was an eccentric character who lived a very controversial life,” she added.
The online petition against the picture's publication had received 207 signatures when this story went to print.
What do you think of the magazine's decision to publish the photograph? Post your thoughts by filling out the comment form below.
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- I think it's horrible and a complete defamation of Jackson's legacy that OK! used that picture. As for the editor's "justification" - don't even get me started!
- How ironic that they use such a flimsy,transparent bullshit excuse to justify there blatant disregard and total lack of respect, for Michael, his children and family. The editor of this so called publication OK! has let his greed for the almighty dollar and notoriety replace any shred of credibility he once may have had....JUDAS SOLD OUT FOR SILVER, SO HAS THIS MOTHA FCKA!
- This is awful! A picture of Jackson should not be published just to make money. Ok! magazine really did go too far.
- I am totally against that. I am a Jamaican who have never met Michael, but my lifelong ambition was to see him perform live one day...that will now never be possible. I have been sick and actually had to go to the doctor as my blood pressure has fallen severely since I heard of his death. Michael was a gift from God to us. Let us just cherish him, his work and his memories for all time. I will love and adore MJ until the day I die. Please do not hurt MJ reputation any further for money.
- I think it was horrible, NO way can that picture be justified, the man was dying and all OK could think about was how they could make the most money. I mean it was meant to be a tribute to Michael Jackson and they didnt even have the decency to maintain the privacy that M.J had in his life. To publish to millions a photo of a dying human-being is the absolute and ultimate low.To me Micheal Jackson was an inspiration and he lived his life the way he wanted and why not.I take my hat off to you.RIP
» View all 6 comments~ by MJ Fan 7/1/2009 Report
~ by ETTA 7/1/2009 Report
~ by Priscilla 7/1/2009 Report
~ by Andrea Walters - Forever MJ FAN 7/1/2009 Report
~ by Love Michael Jackson Forever 7/5/2009 Report