Props to TMZ for Being the First to Accurately Report Michael Jackson's Death

Not to take away from the serious matter that is the death of the world's most famous pop star, but props should be given to TMZ for the way they handled the story, and how they reported his death immediately instead of sitting on facts, and essentially misleading everyone.

News stations such as CBS, MSNBC, and especially CNN, were seemingly afraid to break the news that Michael Jackson had died, and practically tiptoed around the truth. TMZ reported Jackson's 911 call and trip to the hospital at 2:44 pm, about twenty minutes after Jackson had died. The Los Angeles Times published a similar report at 2:51 pm. The Times was originally acknowledged as the first media outlet to break the story. So-called professional news outlets everywhere dismissed TMZ's report as inaccurate tabloid trash, even though loyal TMZ fans knew better.

About an hour after TMZ first confirmed Michael Jackson's death, CNN's Wolf Blitzer told viewers that Jackson was in a COMA, misleading viewers by divulging inaccuracies about Michael's current condition. Fans across the world were left wondering, "Which is it? Is he dead? Or is he in a COMA? Well, TMZ said..."

The main point of this story isn't who beat whom to the punch with this breaking news. The real story is how professional journalists need to admit once and for all that websites such as TMZ, citizen journalist sites like Associated Content, and bloggers everywhere are becoming a relevant and timely news medium, leaving traditional news outlets in the dust.

Since the dawn of blogging, professional journalists have been complaining about a lack of integrity and professionalism when it comes to citizen journaling. Their bitter words were only masking fears that their jobs might soon become obsolete. Today may have been the turning point in reporting - the day journalists have feared for some time.

Bloggers, laptop journalists, Tweeters, and web surfers alike all but made the WWW come to a standstill when news of Jackson's death was announced. Personally, I was going back and forth between TMZ, CNN and other television channels, but as soon as I realized the TV and radio stations were afraid of making bold, accurate statements, I turned everything off except for my trusty computer.

TMZ is indeed a tabloid, but I can't remember one instance where they jumped the gun on a story, though I'm sure it's happened once or twice. Everyone, including news stations and newspapers mess up once in a while.

The conscience of TMZ is managing editor Harvey Levin. As a lawyer and a celebrity reporter, Levin is able to instill a sense of validity to the website. Sure frivolous topics such as the nation's fugliest feet and worst beach bodies pop up on a regular basis, but lately TMZ has been the first to report breaking celebrity news and scandalous political reports. If they're not the first, you can bet they have the most up-to-date information.

This isn't to say supposed citizen journalists are infallible. A couple hours after TMZ reported Jackson's death, a news story popped up about the death of actor Jeff Goldblum. This report was false and started by someone as a cruel joke, playing on the emotions of grieving fans of both Michael Jackson, and actor Farrah Fawcett, who had died just hours earlier. It spread like wildfire but was quickly put out after Kevin Spacey tweeted that Goldblum was alive and well in Los Angeles.

Kudos to Levin and his team of reporters at TMZ for making the big boys take notice.