Justin M. Howard | February 27, 2021
Disclaimer: This article was not written to summarize the guilt or innocence of Wood Allen or Michael Jackson. The article was specifically written to outline the major differences in how the media reports these cases. We are not encouraging ‘cancel culture’.
Media Hypocrisy – Bias Coverage, Michael Jackson vs Woody Allen Case
Since HBO’s Allen v. Farrow aired, the New York Post and CBS have done a decent job of reporting both sides of the Woody Allen case. However, when HBO’s Leaving Neverland aired the same outlets promoted false evidence while others promoted the cancellation of Michael Jackson. Why didn’t outlets like CBS News, The Guardian or New York Post research the Jackson case? Their refusal to report the facts exposes the media hypocrisy and bias. The same evidence used to maintain Allen’s innocence by some journalists is also present in the Jackson case.
Different Cases but Similar
The Woody Allen and Michael Jackson cases are completely different but they do share some similarities. For instance, the child sexual abuse allegations of both men stemmed from a custody battle, there was an investigation, and reportedly an abusive parent with a vendetta behind the scenes.
Mia Farrow has faced allegations of child physical abuse by her son Moses Farrow. In 2018, Moses wrote a blog post detailing the abuse he experienced along with his siblings. Moses’ testimony contradicts Dylan Farrow’s account of sexual abuse, claims that Dylan stood by in an interview with CBS interviewer Gayle King. In the interview King asked Dylan about the reported contradictions in her story, but also included the lack of evidence in the investigation findings.
Evan Chandler, the father of Jordan Chandler, who accused Jackson of sexual misconduct was also abusive. Not only was he sued for sexual abuse by one of his patients, it was also known that he had severe anger issues. He threatened to kill his entire family including the kids. In 2005, Jordan Chandler filed a restraining order against him after he assaulted him with a dumbell and mace. CBS and mainstream media tend to keep this portion of Evan Chandler’s life quiet. When the Jackson brothers, and Taj Jackson were interviewed by Gayle King, the interview centered around promoting Leaving Neverland. Any contradictions discovered in the accusers lawsuits or police investigations were not mentioned.
The families’ positions on both films are vastly different. The Jackson family as a whole, strongly denies the allegations made against Michael Jackson. This is not the case with Woody Allen. Dylan Farrow, as an adult in her 30’s, still claims that Allen sexually abused her. Her brother, Ronan Farrow believes her allegations, and he supports her in the Allen v. Farrow film. Moses Farrow and Bechet Allen have officially gone on the record against them.
Media Hypocrisy – Music vs Film
Some journalists have even claimed that it would be unreasonable to cancel Allen because he makes films and not music. This was also the sentiment expressed by many journalists during the Harvey Weinstein trial. The idea that music and film should be separate is ridiculous – both are considered entertainment.
In 2019, big business and news media made attempts to remove Jackson from history. Some websites removed him from Black history tributes and popular music countdowns. Many celebrities were also scrutinized for defending him. Dylan Farrow has stated that celebrities involved in the Times Up and MeToo movements, need to take into account their complicity of silencing victims by working with Allen. Why isn’t there high demand for the cancellation of Woody Allen films or a scourge placed on those still working with him?