James Desborough
07-07-2013, 04:12 PM#606
Re: [Discussion] Michael Jackson Slandered By The Mirror / New assult Pg 38
James Desborough
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Greg 'James' Desborough is an award winning British journalist and media commentator, who works in Southern Italy, New York and London. He was named the Showbusiness Reporter Of The Year at the 2009 British Press Awards. He has worked for a variety of newspapers across the world, Including The UK's People, the Northern Advertiser and The Daily Express.
Desborough has hosted TV shows in the UK and appeared as a pundit and commentator on global TV networks including The E! Network, CBS, iTV1, BBC World and Channel 7 in Australia with two appearances as an extra on Home and Away.
He was the US Editor of the News Of The World until its closure in 2011. Soon after he took a pilgrimage to his home in Italy to discover his Desbiano roots. There he met his relatives Franko, Alfo and Duncano.
Desborough started work at the regional newspaper the Barking & Dagenham Post as a news reporter in 1994. The newspaper’s other famous past reporters include Phil Hall, who later became the editor of The News of The World.
In 1995 Desborough moved to Channel One TV – the Daily Mail parent group Associated Newspaper’s ill-fated effort into local television. The station was a cable only news and entertainment channel. Its senior executives included Nick Pollard, who later went on to head up Sky News, ITN news editor Peter Wallace and New York Daily News editor Martin Dunn. After starting on the Newsdesk he was promoted to entertainment reporter and later Showbiz Editor.
Desborough worked for the channel’s daily entertainment show The Biz, presented by Julia Caesar. During his time there he produced special programmes and feature length interviews on Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Full Monty and Bon Jovi.
Desborough produced and presented specials on the film industry. The channel's other well known reporters included Thomas Moore and Paul Brennan, who both now work at Sky News, TV host Ruth England and BBC Sports host Chris Hollins.
After Channel One TV closed in 1998, Desborough worked as a continuity host for ITV2 and presented a late night ITV1 London series Wired, which covered London’s social scene.
Desborough worked as a freelancer diary reporter on the London showbiz and social scene from 1999 to 2000. In 2000 Desborough was hired by World Entertainment News Network (WENN) as the News Editor in London by CEO Jonathan Ashby. During that time he worked alongside former Sun reporter and author Bill Coles.
Desborough was hired by The People newspaper in summer of 2001 replacing their existing show business reporter Sean Hoare, who left to join The News Of The World.
In the final weeks of his employment at WENN, allegations in an article published by Salon.com that he'd fabricated a quote by Sir George Martin relating to the health of George Harrison.[1] WENN sold a story to The Mail On Sunday claiming that Martin said Harrison was close to death. The interview was conducted by WENN reporter Christian Koch. The story appeared under the byline of Katie Nicholl in The Mail On Sunday on July 22 under the headline: “George Harrison Is Close to Death Says ’5th Beatle’ Martin”. After the story appeared Martin denied giving quotes about Harrison. In the next few months many more media outlets reported that Harrison's condition was worsening.[2] In the 2011 George Harrison's widow Olivia revealed in a book and Martin Scorsese documentary about George Harrison’s life –both titled - George Harrison: Living in the Material World – that her husband had spent the summer months of 2001 preparing for his death. He spent time at a hospice and his last summer inFuji. Time magazine revealed how: "Harrison eventually surrendered to throat and lung cancer. He and Olivia spent a last lovely summer in Fiji, preparing for the end and taking stock of their life together." [3][4] Harrison passed away just four months after the Mail On Sunday article on 29 November 2001.[5]Desborough was subsequently awarded the ""can we hear the tape?" award for verbatim quotes" at the Shafta Awards by fellow tabloid reporters as a result of this piece.[6]
In 2001 Desborough joined the Sunday People as a show business reporter. He left in 2005. He wrote stories on a series of major stars including Simon Cowell,
Michael Jackson and Robbie Williams.[7] In 2004 Desborough was promoted to the role of TV Editor. He covered a series of reality shows and soaps for the newspaper including Big Brother, I’m A Celebrity and Celebrity Love Island. Desboroughtravelled to Fiji with ITV to cover the first two weeks of the reality show.[8][9]
In 2005, he moved to the News of the World where he was a showbusiness and news reporter.[10]
In 2006 Desborough covered Paul McCartney’s split with second wife Heather Mills. Desboroughinterviewed Mills's former manager Michele Elyzabeth, who delivered a two week expose on Mills's conduct toward McCartney and her secret ploys to tarnish the rock star’s reputation with the public. Elyzabeth told Desborough that Mills was “a lying witch”, who misled the public over McCartney’s financial donations to her and daughter Bea during their separation.[11]
In 2007 he conducted an interview with Britney Spears's bodyguard Tony Barreto talking about the pop star’s drug and alcohol problems. After the story came out, a Californian judge handed custody of her children to her estranged husband Kevin Federline.[12]
In 2008, Desborough wrote a two week expose of Sharon Osbourne through the eyes of her brother David Arden. Arden made a series of allegations against Sharon including how she tried to allegedly fix The X Factor, secretly resented Simon Cowell and wasted hundreds of thousands of pounds on furniture, clothes and homes.
Desborough did an interview with Amy Winehouse's former boyfriend, Alex Haines, in 2008, detailing her addictions to crack and marijuana. Haines admitted that Winehouse planned to join “The 27 Club” – the list of famous musicians who died at the age of 27. Winehouse died at the age of 27 in July 2011.[13]
In March 2009, Desborough was awarded The Showbiz Reporter of The Year Award at the British Press Awards. He was presented the award by Channel 4 news presenter Jon Snow at the ceremony held at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London.[14] (Reference: )
Soon after News Of The World editor Colin Myler promoted Desborough to the role of US Editor. He moved to the US in June 2009, a few days before pop star Michael Jackson died of a cardiac arrest caused by a drug overdose in Los Angeles.
Desborough spent most of his two-year tenure publishing stories about the death of Jackson and the criminal trial of his doctor Conrad Murray.
In July 2009, Desborough interviewed Jackson’s sister LaToya Jackson, who told him “Michael Jackson was murdered”.[15] Desborough appeared on CBS TV show Entertainment Tonight discussing the interview.
Desborough generated more headlines for the News Of The World when Michael’s father Joe Jacksonblamed his wife Katherine for the death of their son.[16] Other exclusives included the first picture of the bedroom and chaotic scene where Jackson died, reports from the paramedics that Jackson was dead before they arrived and hospital emergency room doctors confirming Murray withheld details of Jackson’s Propofol intake when they treated him.[17][18][19][20][21] Desborough revealed how Jackson’s mental and physical state was poor in his last weeks alive. He revealed he needed a golf cartto get him on stage and even used a double for rehearsals.
Desborough’s information and stories emerged during testimonies in the 2011 involuntary manslaughter trial of Conrad Murray in Los Angeles.[22]
Desborough wrote several front page stories on golfer Tiger Woods's affairs. He interviewed Orlando waitress Mindy Lawton, who discussed how Tiger started their affair when wife Elin Nordegren was pregnant. He revealed how the couple were to divorce and how the golfer continued seeing ex-mistress Rachel Uchitel after the cheating scandal broke publicly.
Desborough reported on California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s secret affair with his housekeeper Mildred “Patty” Baena. He published the first pictures of his secret son Joseph at family functions.
Desborough has appeared as a contributor and expert on many TV shows around the world. He has made a series of appearances on E! News throughout 2011 talking about the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. On the day of the Royal Wedding, April 29, 2011, Desborough was featured as a guest correspondent in the E! News studio with host Ryan Seacrest and former Spice Girl Mel B. Additionally, he appeared on a live E! News special with E! host Catt Sadler as the newlywed Royals landed in Los Angeles on their North American tour of Canada and Southern California in June 2011. Following up on the hype of Kate and Pippa Middleton, Desborough was a guest contributor on the "E! True Hollywood Story: Kate & Pippa" which aired on October 12, 2011.
Desborough has appeared on 2011's Charlie Sheen's Hollywood Black Book presented by journalist Ian Halperin and TV Guide's Showbiz 411. He was a guest for the Hollywood 411 Royal Wedding Special Edition in April 2011.
Desborough has also appeared on CBS flagship show Entertainment Tonight talking about the Michael Jackson murder investigation and his interviews with LaToya and Joe Jackson.
In England Desborough regularly appeared on entertainment shows on radio and television. He has been a guest on numerous showbiz programs for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky One. He has appeared in international specials on The Biography Channel providing insight on Sharon Osbourne and Colin Farrell.
Desborough has been a co-presenter and an in-studio expert for many BBC Radio 5 Live reports, phone-in shows and live on-air broadcasts which have played around the globe. He has continued his radio show appearances in the U.S. as well. Throughout 2011 he was on syndicated radio networks across the U.S. covering subjects like the Royal Wedding and Amy Winehouse's death.
Phone hacking scandal and Operation Weeting
On August 18, 2011, Desborough was arrested by officers from Operation Weeting on suspicion of phone hacking. Newspaper reports confirmed that Desborough’s arrest was printed on the Guardian’s news website, before it actually took place. Later that day an officer from Operation Weeting was arrested at his desk over suspicions of leaks to the media.
On August 19, 2011, Desborough’s criminal solicitor issued a statement saying: “James Desborough was arrested on August 18th after he attended a South London police station voluntarily and by appointment with his Solicitor, Julian Young. He was interviewed for a number of hours and cooperated fully with the police in their investigations. He denied, and continues to deny, any conspiracy to unlawfully intercept voice mails or acting unlawfully in any way."
On August 19 Deputy Assistant Commissioner Sue Akers, head of the Operation Weeting inquiry into alleged phone hacking at the News of the World, said: "I made very clear the need for operational and information security. "It is hugely disappointing that this may not have been adhered to." The Guardian when asked if payments were made to police, said in a statement: "In common with all news organizations we have no comment to make on the sources of our journalism."
On March 27, 2012 the Metropolitan Police and Operation Weeting confirmed that Desborough was released and "no further action" would be taken against him.[23]
Desborough was the first staff employee of the News Of The World to be cleared after an investigation by the Weeting team.
In an interview with Sky News[24] Young said his client "could easily have been interviewed without being formerly nicked and fears his arrest was ordered in a bid to flush out a Yard detective suspected of leaking the latest arrests to a newspaper."
Desborough is the third suspect to be released of more than 40 suspects arrested and bailed in the three parallel investigations into phone-hacking, police payments and computer-hacking.
06-07-2013, 09:50 PM#566
Re:[Discussion] Michael Jackson Slandered By The Mirror / New assult Pg 38
The Mirror's creativity has no limits ...
By James Desborough, David Gardner
Michael Jackson child abuse probe halted because he was to receive White House honour from President
An FBI probe into Michael Jackson’s sex abuse of young boys was shelved because he’d been invited to the White House, official records show.
The Thriller megastar was to be honoured with an award by Ronald Reagan in 1984 for his work with drug and alcohol charities.
And federal agents decided to save the President and wife Nancy embarrassment by scrapping their investigation into a tip-off that Jackson had molested two Mexican boys.
The disclosure – in papers released under America’s Freedom of Information Act – comes a week after the Sunday People revealed Jackson spent 23million in 15 years to buy the silence of at least 24 youngsters who had visited his Neverland ranch in California.
The Reagan document is part of a 333-page file made public by the FBI which show there were suspicions the singer had been abusing kids since at least 1978, when he was 20.
FBI agents found a home-movie titled Michael Jackson’s Neverland Favorites An All Boy Video Anthology.
And in a separate FBI file obtained *exclusively by the Sunday People – and not included in the Freedom of Information papers – a costume designer said the singer ordered paedo magazines while touring Europe 35 years ago with the Jackson 5.
The revelations underline the huge influence wielded by Jackson, who died of an overdose in 2009 aged 50.
The FBI openly admits in the dossier it did not follow up the tip about the Mexican kids being abused “because Jackson was to receive an honour at the White House from the President”.
He was back at the White House in 1990 to meet President George Bush Snr, wife Barbara and their daughter Dorothy.
There was no mention of any abuse probe at that stage.
But other FBI files detail a late-night phone call from Jackson to Terry George, a boy of 13 in Leeds, with the singer describing how he was fondling himself during their chat. The young Brit had been befriended by the star in 1979 after asking for his autograph.
A 1992 file tells how a couple complained ***** and a boy of 12 shared a sleeper train compartment next to theirs – and kept them awake with “questionable noises”.
But no official action was taken in any of the cases spelt out in the documents.
‘Abused’ boy: Files show I told truth
Allegations: Wade Robson
PA
A dancer who claims Michael Jackson sexually abused him said our *revelations about the FBI files last week “shows I was telling the truth”.
Wade Robson, 30, suing the King of Pop’s estate, has asked his legal team to get hold of the files on the hush money Jackson paid boys.
Lawyer Maryann R. Marzano is hoping the FBI will turn over boxes of information on the allegations and wants to contact other victims, cops, Neverland staff, and *investigators.
Choreographer Wade claims he was molested over seven years. A source close to him said: “He feels this could become a key part of his case, that he is not the only child who may have suffered at Jackson’s hands.”
Jackson’s estate says Robson’s allegations are “completely false, outrageous and sad”.
Source: Mirror UK News
03-07-2013, 03:24 AM#475
Re: [Discussion] Michael Jackson Slandered By The Mirror
Ok back to business _ I hope you are sharing the defense and truth for Michael on your networks.
The Desborough - Mann Connection
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6S0MLop5b9...oward+mann.jpg
As one delves into the Sunday People's article, we realize the connections are more interconnected than we thought. The Sunday People published a story a few days ago, which claimed that they were in possession of unseen "FBI files" that alleged Jackson molested dozens of boys and paid them settlement money in order to keep them quiet. Even though the story has been unequivocally fabricated and embellished, only Roger Friedman and Charles Thomson have written articles disproving the lies of the Sunday People.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O2ocCunw__...320/author.JPG
As you can see above, the article was co-written by tabloid "journalists" James Desborough and David Gardner. In the four years since Michael Jackson died, Desborough has written several pieces for the now defunct UK tabloid, News of the World. Among these pieces are:
1. LaToya's interview: Michael Was Murdered
2. Joe Jackson Blames Katherine Jackson for Michael's Death
3. Michael's Deathbed Photos and Secret Funeral
4. Jackson was Dead an Hour Before Paramedics Arrived
5. MJ Feared He Had Heart Condition, Brain Tumor and Cancer
6. Michael Jackson Leaves His Kids More Than $33 Million In His Will (Includes trust documents)
The articles that would perk our interest are the death bed photos and the trust documents. Clearly, these documents would only be leaked by a Jackson family member, one of their attorneys or business associates.
@Ivy_4MJ and I were talking about it, and she said that Howard Mann mentioned in a deposition that he used a News of the World source. When she dug up the document, lo and behold this is what he said under oath:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k3qrIrbAcN...ann+larger.jpg
Howard Mann's connection to News of the World is James Desborough, the very same "journalist" who wrote the fake FBI story.
Some fans will remember that Howard Mann went into a contractual agreement with Katherine Jackson shortly after Michael died. Katherine's book Never Can Say Goodbye, Michael's children's appearance on Good Morning America and a website dedicated to Michael and his music were all part of that agreement.
However, the executors of Michael's Estate sued Howard Mann, citing that Mann was infringing on Jackson's intellectual property, which the Estate exclusively owns. You can read about the Estate's lawsuit against Mann here. For another blog about Mann, clickhere,
The majority of Jackson's fans protested Howard Mann and his questionable dealings with Katherine Jackson. A twitterthon was held in protest of Mann, and the image below shows that MJ fans clearly disliked and disapproved of Mann.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VAcQfQOQlH...gainstmann.jpg
The majority of Michael's fans feel there is no coincidence that the Sunday People published this libelous article on the very same day as the premiere of Jackson's new Cirque du Soleil show, MJ ONE. And while there is no definitive proof that Howard Mann sought to sabotage the Estate by selling this story to the tabloids along with Paul Baressi, it does show us that there is a link between journalist James Desborough and Howard Mann. Both should keep in mind that Jackson's fans will research until we have reached every avenue in order to preserve his legacy.
Posted by "Michael Jackson: And Justice for Some" blog at 11:25 PM
comment:
Kerry Hennigan said...
Great job in a nutshell. They think we're as lazy as the media and don't do proper research.
They are wrong! Thank you for your wonderful work for MJ and for sharing with us so we can pass it on!
Source :
http://mjandjustice4some.blogspot.co...onnection.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...=feeds-newsxml (written by J. DesB on Wade Robeson for Daily Mirror)
#105
Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate
Why on earth haven't the estate responded? I haven't seen any statement in this thread. Do they think it will just all blow over as long as they don't make too much fuss about it. Mj is a brand and a billion dollar corporation, they get paid $millions to represent him - there is no other corp or individual that wd allow those allegations to be made in all media without some type of rebuttal. Weitzman is actually mentioned as drawing up that bogus lawsuit so he'd better be getting ready to sue. They're not fbi files, they don't prove mj paid off 24 boys, none of the revelations are new, all the informants have been discredited - so why has mj only got roger friedman batting for him in the media.
(I've zilch expectations of the family, so don't even bother to expect anything from them.)
Originally Posted by greeneyedone
Does the Anschutz company own or have a stake in "The Mirror"? I just found this, and right under The Mirror is Anschutz company (aka AEG).
The mirror is owned by a company called trinity mirror. I don't see a connection with aeg. I guess the motivation of the 'pi' who supplied the papers and the timing is the significant issue. It seems to be linked to the wade revelations, and the aeg trial maybe makes mj more newsworthy.
James desborough is ex notw and is based in la, he's a contact of oxman which is why this muppet was the only one allowed to give mj's 'side of the story'.
myosotis
Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate
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It seems that the writer of the 'Sunday People' article, James Desborough, has been taken to the Press complaints commission before, and the paper made to apologise ( This was in relation to a Brad Pitt /Angelina Jolie story.
On January 23rd 2010, a London newspaper “News of the World” published a misleading article declaring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were visiting divorce lawyers and had agreed to divide their fortune and share custody of their six children. The article, written by journalist James Desborough, sparked a global media frenzy and the story was re-published around the world.
However, Angelina and Brad vehemently denied these allegations and took the matter to the high court in London, suing News Group Newspapers - the News International subsidiary that publishes the News of the World - for contravening the Press Complaints Commission code of conduct. They claimed the article was misleading, inaccurate and intrusive, adding “that publication of the story amounted to a serious misuse of private information”.
Proving that the story was indeed an unethical one, News of the World was made to formally apologise to the couple and pay defamation damages.
In all organisational practice there is a need for a chain of accountability. Journalism as a profession is fraught with a myriad of ethical dilemmas. To ascertain whether certain actions are ethical or unethical we must dissect the decision making process undertaken by journalists, editors and publishers and compare these processes to the professional codes and practices put in place to maintain ethical conduct.
According to Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative, Desborough acted unethically according to the principle of reversibility (Breit, 2007). In the decision making process of whether or not to write the story, Desborough does not appear to act in a way that he would wish to be treated. Desborough wrote a story that was inaccurate and not properly researched. It affected the couple involved in an emotional and professional way, which in a reversed situation, I assume Desborough would not want done to him. He has disregarded Angelina and Brad’s individual right to privacy because of his belief that the public’s collective right to know outweighs individual rights. This action neglects the principle of respect for others and illustrates how Desborough capitalised upon the misfortune of others as a means for him to potentially get a scoop in the end. Furthermore, I assume that these decisions and the action of publicizing inaccurate information would not be welcomed as universalizeable by Desborough.
You can see more details here:
http://s41763698.blogspot.co.uk/
