'Evil Austrian media ruined my Jackson tribute plans'

Comment by Thomas Hochwarter

The Michael Jackson tribute organiser�s claim of why the planned Vienna event was called off is the bizarre highlight of a more than strange series of developments around what was set to become one of the biggest concerts ever to be held in the Austrian capital.

Head organiser Georg Kindel said last Friday he and his team decided to call off the Vienna event and stage it next June in London instead.

Kindel admitted they had problems getting the event underway because "initiator" Jermaine Jackson had revealed his plans only a few weeks ago. But he also said an ongoing "campaign" by the Austrian media had created difficulties they were in the end unable to cope with.

To quote John McEnroe: Kindel just cannot be serious.

The truth is that Austrian media unanimously welcomed the news of such a top event in the capital. Of course they did � it filled the pages, and created good headlines. Tourism bosses were also looking forward to an "image boom" and fully-booked hotels after recent difficult times sparked by the credit crunch.

And as far as the "accusation" of speculation about possible performances by Madonna or U2 is concerned: where on earth would it be different when there was news that "international superstars" would be performing in front of around 65,000 people at a concert in honour of the late "King of Pop"?

Speaking about the Austrian papers� "negative coverage", Kindel claimed newspapers started to raise doubts about whether the event would be sold out and even whether it would take place after the announcement of which artists would perform at the gig left fans and reporters disappointed - none of them could fairly be described as "international superstars".

And it is a fact that media all over the world reacted in the same way, regardless of the Austrian reports. Domestic media are just a fringe concern on the international landscape.

The truth is that not a single Austrian article or comment has been quoted in any international publications. Negative and doubtful reports began to surface after the main press conference held in Vienna two weeks ago � ahead of which organisers promised to announce a "line-up of stars" performing at the tribute.

Not a single international newspaper journalist would ever have the idea of checking what Austrian newspapers report �around 300 reporters and several TV crews attended the Vienna press conference for their own reports.

To claim the decision has to do with negative publicity by Austrian media is not just childish, but plainly wrong.

The major unanswered question which had permanently hovered over the whole event remains: why did they want to host it after giving themselves so little time for preparations which would normally take several months? And I will not reproduce what � Austrian � media hinted as being the reason for it. Instead, I would like to take the chance to wish everybody all the best for the London event.

Austrian Times

Write your comment to this article here

Tag cloud:
performing truth newspapers Vienna reporters Jackson Kindel capital London international event media concerts Austrian superstars organiser tribute negative created held

Latest News

Higher cigarette prices on tap
Austria Tabak reported today (Fri) that the price of its 35 brands of cigarettes would increase by 10 to 20 cents a pack at the end of March.

RI's Croat subsidiary gets �30mn credit
Raiffeisen International�s (RI) Croatian subsidiary Raiffeisenbank Austria d.d. received a 30-million-Euro credit by the German Investment and Development Society (DEG), it was announced.

Austrian Catholics turn on church
Austrian Roman Catholics are up in arms over sex scandals involving local priests and children with increasing numbers threatening to quit the church.

Wolford's earnings up in first three quarters
Vorarlberg textile firm Wolford reported today (Fri) that its earnings before interest and taxes (Ebit) had increased in the first three quarters of its 2009/2010 business year.

More foreign holidays planned this year
More Austrians are planning on holidays abroad this year after 2009 saw a drop in numbers, according to a study by public opinion research agency Karmasin.

Siemens Austria to lay off 500 to 600
Siemens Austria said today (Fri) it would lay off 500 to 600 of 2,000 workers in software division SIS (IT solutions and services) in the near future.

Graz police smash drug ring
An Iranian asylum seeker thought to be the boss of a drug-dealing gang has been arrested along with 11 cohorts, police said today (Fri).

Verbund could lose interest in French Poweo
Austrian energy provider Verbund�s 46 per cent interest in French electricity provider Poweo may become less valuable if the firm makes good on its threat to stop providing service to end customers.

Kasabian roll into Vienna
British indie rock giants Kasabian will return to Austria this summer, it has been revealed.

Paraglider crashes against bus
A 34-year-old paraglider escaped with bruises after smashing into a moving bus in Eben, Tyrol, yesterday (Thurs).

The most popular stories –
last 7 days

	Austrian men have the most sex partners
	Hitler's gift causes renewed controversy
	Thong pong
	Vienna police under fire over recruit campaign
	Sex abuse claims drive thousands away from church