OK! Magazine has paid $500,000 to feature a picture of Michael Jackson on their cover page. The cover shot in question is of The King of Pop on a stretcher, with emergency personnel frantically trying to revive him.
OK! Magazine's Michael Jackson cover picture, which will be released today, has already created much controversy.
Additional Image Credit: The Inquisitr
Implications - Unfortunately, the sad reality of most celeb-centric magazines is that ethics or propriety just don't come into the picture when a hot story or photo is on the line, and this unfortunate cover is an all too telling example of that. As long as images like this continue to make magazines sell like wildfire, whether something should be published won't come into consideration no matter how tasteless it might be.
What's Driving This Trend
- Controversial Celebrity Media
- There is a trend toward controversial celebrity media that prioritize sensationalism over ethics and propriety, presenting an opportunity to disrupt the industry by prioritizing responsible journalism.
- Shocking Cover Shots
- The publication of shocking cover shots by celebrity media outlets has been on the rise, presenting an opportunity for companies to disrupt the industry by providing responsible and respectful coverage of events.
- Public Outrage Over Tasteless Journalism
- A trend of public outrage over tasteless journalism that exploits personal tragedies presents an opportunity for companies to offer more responsible and considerate coverage of sensitive events.
Who This Affects Most
- Celebrity Media
- The celebrity media industry has a responsibility to report on events with tact and empathy, rather than prioritizing sales and clicks, presenting an opportunity for companies who prioritize responsible journalism
- Journalism
- As the public becomes more outraged over tasteless journalism, there is an opportunity for companies to disrupt the journalism industry by offering respectful and considerate coverage of sensitive events
- Media Ethics
- Growing concern about media ethics presents an opportunity for industry disruption by companies that prioritize ethical journalism over sales and clicks
