July 02, 2009

By By Editor & Publisher Staff, New York

Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed believe coverage of Michael Jackson's death was excessive, according to a report from the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press. Sixty-four percent felt this way, with 29% disagreeing.

Many more whites than blacks felt this way.

Fifty per cent said the media coverage was fair and not focusing too much -- or too little -- on the scandals in his life.

But the same findings stated "the public closely tracked" the sudden death of Jackson last week, with 30% saying they followed the stories very closely and 31% saying it was the story they followed more closely than any other.

The entire report is here.

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