More on the Jacko documentary which gets its airing in the US tonight.
Firstly Jackosn himself saw a recording of the programme last night and immediately issued a statement criticising Bashir through his UK representative Stephen Lock. "I trusted Martin Bashir to come into my life and that of my family because I wanted the truth to be told,” he says in a statement. “Martin Bashir persuaded me to trust him, that this would be an honest and fair portrayal of my life and told me that he was 'the man that turned Diana's life around'. Today 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. Everyone 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."
But, despite the post screening criticism in the media, it’s not all bad news for Jackson. Firstly the documentary has given an unexpected boost to Jackson’s record sales – even though Bashir managed to more or less leave his music out of the programme. Obviously the British public ended the programme by saying to themselves “what a freek – mmm, you know I don’t own Thriller on CD”. Sales of that album shot up 500% on Tuesday, with sales of his greatest hits album HIStory rocketing 1000%. HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo: "Although they started from a very low base the week before, the sales rise is quite significant. I would not be surprised if they continued for the rest of the week. I think it shows that exposure may not be particularly favourable but it will always add to some degree of sales increase."
And secondly, as reported yesterday, post screening media coverage has been as critical of Bashir as of Jackson – chat on the CMU OnLine message board coming very much down on Jackson’s side. Add you opinions on the message board here.