Michael’s reaction to the program “Living with Michael Jackson”
In response to the airing of the program "Life with Michael Jackson" today, Michael released the statement below via MJJ Productions:
"Michael is devastated and feels that he has been completely betrayed by the British television program `Life with Michael Jackson`, presented by Martin Bashir and aired in England on 14 Bahman 1381. He considers this program a blatant distortion of the truth and a disgusting attempt to portray his life and his abilities as a father in a reversed way. From several important aspects, Michael believes that Martin Bashir and Granada Television have broken the trust they had placed in them. In particular, he felt that they had obtained their assurance that nothing would be done to prepare his children for broadcast in the program in any way. Michael repeatedly asked Bashir to stop filming his children, and he promised that in the final edit, images of his children would be removed, and said that the work should not be stopped because it would `destroy the continuity of the filming.`
Michael is deeply upset that this program, in a rather clever way, put together two or three pieces of footage taken out of context to produce a completely inverted picture of his behavior as a father. Michael feels completely betrayed by the way Martin Bashir treated him—someone who allowed him, over multiple occasions during the eight months he was with him, to enter the Jackson family home. Michael believes that what was ultimately shown was an ugly program designed to win more viewers and, in a way, crafted to flatter Martin Bashir, with an impact that differs from what it did to the person of Michael, his family, and his close friends.
In essence, Michael allowed Bashir to have broad access to Neverland Valley Ranch (Michael’s private home), his family, and Michael himself, because he wanted to provide the people of the world with an honest picture of the truth of his life. Michael believes that the program Bashir produced is an obvious distortion of the truth.
If Michael had known how Bashir intended to portray him, he would never have agreed to cooperate in this film. Michael believes that the program was intentionally prepared and edited with a particular, sharp, biting viewpoint.
Michael is deeply angry that this program may lead viewers to make the decision that he harms his children in any way. Michael Jackson has never behaved inappropriately with any child and will never do so, and he will never expose them to harm—anything contrary to this is denied. Michael never betrays the trust that a child or their guardians place in him."
Michael today personally released the statement below:
"I trusted Martin Bashir to enter my life and my family because I wanted the truth to be told. Martin Bashir convinced me to trust him and that his program would show an honest and fair picture of my life, and he told me that he was the kind of man who turned Princess Diana’s obsession ]obsession[ from one side to the other. I am heartbroken that someone I treated like a friend has been able to do such a despicable thing. Today, I may feel more betrayed than at any other time, because the person who found the opportunity to become familiar with my children, my moods, and myself—the person I placed in my heart and told the truth to—sacrificed the trust I gave him and produced such a worthless and unfair program.
If anyone truly believes that I harm my children or put them in danger, my heart breaks: they are the most valuable thing in my life.
Anyone who knows me will know the truth—that in my life, my children come first above all, and I never hurt any child.
I also want to thank my fans from all over the world for the countless messages of support I have received, especially from England, where people have emailed me and told me how much they disliked Bashir’s film. Their love and support have shaken me deeply."
According to the MJJ Productions statement, the program "Life with Michael Jackson" was first seen by Michael on Wednesday night, 16 Bahman, 1381.