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'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

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