Michael Jackson’s music is being removed from airwaves around the world as a new documentary highlights allegations of child sex abuse.
Some of pop music’s most instantly recognisable songs like Billie Jean, Man In The Mirror and Beat It are being pulled from the radio station playlists in response to the controversy around Leaving Neverland.
Broadcasters like New Zealand’s RNZ and MediaWorks, Australia’s Smooth FM and Canada’s Rhythme, CKOI and The Beat have confirmed that they are not playing Jackson’s music.
“We’re always guided by the audience,” said Leon Wratt of MediaWorks.
“With something as controversial as what this was going to be, we’re certainly going to err on the side of caution here.
“We aren’t deciding whether Michael Jackson is guilty of pedophilia or not; we’re just merely trying to make sure that our radio stations are going to play the music that people want to hear.”
In Leaving Neverland two alleged victims of the singer, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, share disturbing accusations of sexual abuse.
Both men separately allege that as children, they shared a bed with the singer and that he repeatedly forced them to engage in sexual acts over a period of time.
They also claim that Jackson told them his life and their lives would be “over” if they told anyone about the abuse.
The Jackson family has strongly denied the claims, calling the documentary “a public lynching” and an attempt to “exploit and cash in on” the singer.
In a 2005 trial, Jackson was acquitted of several charges of molesting a minor, 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo.
The second part of Leaving Neverland airs on Channel 4 tonight at 9pm.
