What to do About the Documentary “Leaving Neverland”

Yesterday, January 9th, 2019 the MJGlobal fanbase were taken by surprise by an announcement tweet by Sundance Film Festival to include a last minute entry  called “Leaving Neverland” into their 2019 line up of films. -In it’s brief description it’s directed and produced by Dan Reed, regarding “two accusers” now in their thirties, who claim they along with their families, had long term relationships with Michael Jackson and they are alleging that he sexually abused them when their were minors.

The Tweet from Sundance was accompanied by a photo of Michael Jackson and a young boy, presumably Wade Robson when he first met Michael Jackson.

This led many in the Michael Jackson community to conclude the “two accusers” were Wade Robson and Jimmy Safechuck, who both recently lost bids in court claiming sexual misconduct of Michael Jackson AND surprisingly included allegations that his employees and MJJProduction Co were facilitators of these lewd acts  and actual integral parts  of a “child sexual abuse operation” –  Jimmy Safechuck’s case petition was pretty much summarily tossed out of court early on but Wade Robson petition wasn’t denied for LACK of evidence, by the court until after almost a 4 years court process.

Michael Jackson’s fanbase is understandably enraged by this documentary that will allow  these “two accusers” full opportunity to disparage the deceased Michael Jackson without any opposing information that is readily available online. We are also appalled that the Sundance Film Festival and HBO would co-partner in airing such a morally reprehensible project.  This is a rinse and repeat of the sensational and salacious  accusations Robson made before he brought his lawsuit.  The View had an in-depth discussion regarding Wade Robson publicity tour in 2013 when he first brought these allegations.

In that clip of The View, Whoopie Goldberg says at the end  “I’m with the dead guy”

AND  so are We and millions of others all over the world, who are tired of having to repeatedly defend this innocent man for crimes he never committed.  We are weary of hearing them brought up every time an important anniversay of Michael’s life is upon us.  The 10th year commemmoration of Michael Jackson’s death is approaching this  June 25th 2019 and there will most assuredly be many accolades and tributes forthcoming.

The Estate issued the following statement to media reporting the story:

“This is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson. Wade Robson and James Safechuck have both testified under oath that Michael never did anything inappropriate toward them. Safechuck and Robson, the latter a self-proclaimed ‘master of deception’, filed lawsuits against Michael’s Estate, asking for millions of dollars. Both lawsuits were dismissed. This so-called ‘documentary’ is just another rehash of dated and discredited allegations. It’s baffling why any credible filmmaker would involve himself with this project.”

Unfortunately, anyone can release a documentary and they do not have to secure permission to do so. The only time the Estate has any potential recourse is when a documentary or other film uses intellectual property such as music or video that is owned by the Estate and is not protected under “fair use” claims, which of course the Estate is monitoring. You may recall the Estate filed litigation against Disney earlier this year for violating its intellectual property rights.

As the Estate said, the individuals featured in this documentary have had their claims rejected in court.

Furthermore, Michael was declared innocent in the criminal case against him.  No documentary can change that.

Sincerely,

MJ Online Team

The Official Online Team of The Michael Jackson Estate™

The MJEstate has  NO  legal recourse to bring a lawsuit as there is no statute in the law that protects a deceased person from defamation, libel or slander.  The documentary was filmed in the UK where the deceased are also not protected from allegations such as these.

ANOTHER STATEMENT FOR THE MJESTATE  issued Jae. 10 2019
To the fan community:
First and foremost, Michael Jackson is our friend.   We each have a long history with Michael and are passionate about making sure that the world sees the compassionate, spiritual and extraordinarily talented man that we know.  It is our love for Michael that fuels our efforts to both entertain and educate the world about him as an artist and a human being.

It is also why we, as Michael’s friends and fans, are disgusted by the false accusations that continue to be repeated in an attempt to denigrate the reputation of our friend and to cash in on some small interaction with his life.

As we pointed out in our statement to the media last night and which has now been confirmed by others, this newest so-called ‘documentary’ features Wade Robson and James Safechuck –  two disgruntled individuals who are  admitted liars and who have testified under oath that Michael Jackson never did anything inappropriate to them.   They are  participating in this project only after their veiled attempts to extort monies from the Estate failed and, thanks to the efforts of the Estate’s legal team,  their lawsuits against the Estate were dismissed.  This is one more opportunistic  attack on Michael’s vast legacy and stellar character by people looking to gain attention and benefit financially.  It is pathetic.

Just like you, we want to shut down every single offensive story, documentary, book,  and scurrilous  accusation.  However the Estate has to base its legal actions on what kind of claim it can make in a court of law.  The law offers certain protections for Michael’s right of publicity but unfortunately, those protections do not extend to documentaries or other films about him.  The Estate cannot sue for these libels and slanders of Michael because the law does not provide for civil lawsuits defaming a deceased person, no matter how malicious the lies about him are.

In most cases, we do have the ability to stop  the infringement of copyrights in the materials owned by the Estate .  If we find that is the case with this production,  then as we did with the program that recently aired on ABC-TV where we filed a suit against Disney, the Estate will pursue those claims.  If we file a lawsuit that is not  permitted by law and  thus we have no chance of winning, all we would be doing is giving these liars a public forum to repeat the  false claims that have already been dismissed in court.

We will continue to do everything in our power as executors of the Estate.  And fans should too.  Voice your outrage to the people that run the Sundance Film Festival, the director/producer, Dan Reed, and/or HBO and UK Channel 4 who helped create this exploitive film .  Share your thoughts and feelings.  It is a disgrace that they are giving a platform to these to perjurers in a production that calls itself a documentary.

For any fans looking to send emails as suggested by the Estate, here are email addresses for you:

Sundance – programming@sundance.org and Institute@sundance.org
HBO – general@hbo.com
UK Channel 4 – Tweet to director of programming Ian Katz @iankatz1000
Or contact team coordinator Ethel Mercedes: emercedes@channel4.co.uk
Dan Reed – jojo@amospictures.co.uk

Sincerely,

The MJ Online Team

We contacted Tom Mesereau and he opined on false allegations thrown at  Michael Jackson thruough the years –

“Yes. These ridiculous claims were summarily rejected by various American courts of law. The allegations are completely false. A conservative, pro-law enforcement jury in Santa Barbara County, California, U.S.A. heard five months of testimony presented by very skilled, aggressive prosecutors. After eight days of deliberations, the jury pronounced Michael Jackson “Not Guilty” on all fourteen charges. Justice was done and these false allegations were completely rejected. Let Michael Jackson Rest In Peace.” –

in the past — Tom Mesereau also discussed how strong a defense witness Wade Robson was during Michael Jackson’s 2005 trial and how “mind-boggling” it is that Wade NOW makes these claims and summises it is all about “money” 

So what are we to do ?

GET ACTIVE and VOCAL  like in the old days

“Theres Nothing that can’t be done, if we raise our voice as one” .

Dan Reed

Email the Director at dan@amospictures.co.uk

Email Production company at  jojo@amospictures.co.uk

Sundance

Use this contact information available at  Sundance.org

Email  institute@sundance.org

 

Tweet to them at @Sundancefest 

Please don’t get vulgar just Present FACTS and RECEIPTS —

Here’s information for you the read and share:

The Wade Robson Allegations 

Full thread with video receipts on Wade Robson’s continually changing his story 

If you extra ambitious you can Tweet to Sponsors of the Sundance Film Festival-

WE have hyperlinked some of the sponsors on this Twitlonger to make it easier for you to click and tweet.

Tweet them with your concerns regarding their sponsorship of Dan Reeds, tabloidesque entry “Leaving Neverland” – It allows two disgruntled men who lost their bid to extort money from the Micheal Jackson Estate in court, to spout off scurrilous claims with impunity without benefit of evidence/ or opposing views. This program is a disgrace as they are giving a platform to these two perjurers in a production that calls itself a documentary.

HBO

Email HBO – general@hbo.com

Call HBO and Cancel your HBO service – Tell them why –

WE are SEEKING Contact information for :

Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller -BOTH EVP of Documentary  & Family Programming

will update

CHANNEL 4

Tweet Channel 4 –  @C4Press 

These are associates that are involved in distribution at Channel 4 in the UK

– Tweet to director of programming Ian Katz @iankatz1000
Or contact team coordinator Ethel Mercedes: emercedes@channel4.co.uk

 

• please note — WE will attempt to get some of these Sponsors hyperlinked for easier use as time permits

There is also a  Change petition  “End The Defamation of Michael Jackson” in circulation –  Please sign it and help give it some attention on all of your social media accounts.

 

 

LET’S GET BUSY

WE appreciate any input, contact information or resources we have missed.. Just leave it in the comment box and we will add it in..

May God Bless the MJGlobal family for all your dedication to Michael ♥️

Sources:

 https://themichaeljacksonallegations.com/the-wade-robson-allegations/
 https://twitter.com/JuliaBerkowitz1/status/1051880980405981191 

Other Sources:

https://mjjtruthnow.wordpress.com/2014/05/12/wade-robson-wadeaminute-things-dont-add-up/