MSNBC's Conrad Murray Documentary Boosts New Questions Regarding Chequebook Journalism (Analysis)

NY -- An English documentary about Dr. Conrad Murray which was licensed by NBC is again raising the thorny problem of pay-to-play in television news.our editor recommendsConrad Murray Verdict: What Hollywood Is SayingConrad Murray Trial Rebounds In Rankings For HLNNancy Sophistication: Conrad Murray 'Should Have Become Murder One'MSNBC to Air Documentary About Conrad Murray Trial Four Days After Guilty VerdictConrad Murray Verdict: What Michael Jackson's Household Is SayingConrad Murray Verdict: Exactly what the Commentators Are SayingConrad Murray Found Guilty in Dying of Michael Jackson Michael Jackson and also the Physician: A Fatal Friendship is placed to air at 10 p.m. Friday on MSNBC. It had been created by U.K.-based October Films and what's everything about? productions. Zodiak Privileges, a subsidiary of Zodiak Media Group, distributed the documentary, brokering certification handles NBC, Nine Network around australia and Funnel 4 within the U.K. PHOTOS: 10 TV Tests That Shook The Planet The documentary "explores the surreal world lived on by Jackson within the last three several weeks of his existence and examines his fatal friendship using the physician he handpicked to look after themself and the children," based on a pr release. The Jackson family has cried foul within the documentary, as well as on Wednesday the co-executors of Jackson's estate (John Branca and John McClain)sent an annoyed letter to NBC demanding to understand "how much cash as a whole was taken care of this fortunate access" to Murray. The letter -- addressed to Comcast chairman and Boss John L. Roberts, NBCUniversal Boss Steve Burke, business procedures leader Marc Graboff and MSNBC leader Phil Griffin -- indicated the documentary as "reprehensible" and known as on the organization to "exercise proper judgment" and avoid airing it. An MSNBC representative informs The Hollywood Reporter that Fatal Friendship will air as planned. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Notable Deaths Around the problem of payment, a representative for October Films stated: "Free or payment is made to Dr. Murray by October Films, save for any contractual notional $1." However the certification fee for that film is at the reduced- to mid- substantial range, say sources. The La Occasions reported that filmmakers started shopping the film in October and were asking "near to $500,000" for U.S. privileges. A part of that package was a job interview with Murray just before the verdict. "NBCUniversal licensed the documentary from Zodiak Privileges," the network stated inside a statement. "Regarding the the documentary, NBCUniversal had the chance to conduct a marketing interview with Dr. Murray. Neither Dr. Murray nor his legal defense were paid out by any means.Inch But the lack of money flowing from NBC to Murray has clearly not insulated this news division from critique. Sources state that MSNBC professionals happen to be inundated with angry e-mails in the public. The businesses guaranteed privileges to Dr. Murray in November 2009, before he was billed within the wrongful death dying of Jackson. Murray's former publicist told the LA Occasions they permitted Murray to sign up within the documentary since the companies agreed to not air it just before the verdict. STORY:Michael Jackson Estate Jams MSNBC Over Conrad Murray Documentary On Monday, Murray was in prison for involuntary wrongful death for giving the fatal dose of propofol that wiped out Jackson in June 2009. He's been remanded to custody of the children to await sentencing. The next morning,Savannah Guthrie's pre-verdict interview with Murray broadcast on NBC'sToday. Newsdivisions have been receiving the defensive within the longtime practice of certification personal photos and home video from interview subjects like a fig leaf to having to pay outright for interviews. ABC News leader Ben Sherwood, who required over from David Westin in December,denounced the practice after it had been says ABC News compensated $200,000 towards the group of Casey Anthony and the other $15,000 for any photo of the lizard in the meter readers who discovered the remains of Anthony's daughter Caylee. (The lizard is at exactly the same area in which the body was discovered. The meter readers was questioned on ABC.) Sherwood's public stance on the concept of chequebook journalism captivated a war of words last summer time between ABC and NBC. An NBC News representative told Adweek: "I was pleased to learn about this transformation in ABC News policy. We agree their recent activity continues to be harmful to journalism and also the news industry. And that we welcome it well towards the practices that people strive to uphold." STORY:Conrad Murray Addresses Michael Jackson's Dying in NBC News Interview This motivated the next rebuttal from an "ABC News insider": "NBC News lies about its practices, doesn't disclose the habitual obligations it can make for interviews after which has got the gall to obtain on a higher equine. Someone must help remind NBC News the greater they get on that equine, the farther they'll fall his or her rank and recurring hypocrisy is uncovered." The Murray documentary was looked to many cable systems in addition to ABC, say sources, however it's unclear if ABC handed down it. It wasn't looked to CBS. Shaun Fager, who had been named chairman of CBS News in Feb,also offers disavowed the practice, telling THR within an interview this summer time: "As we don't obtain the story because we're not likely to pay for this, we don't obtain the story. You will find lots of other tales. I believe that's the way we distinguish ourselves from others." Email: Marisa.Guthrie@THR.com Twitter: @MarisaGuthrie Related Subjects Michael Jackson MSNBC NBCUniversal ABC News