DA hires Public Relations Team 17/12/2003 NBC: With child molestation charges expected to be filed against Michael Jackson later this week, the Santa Barbara County district attorney sparked criticism Tuesday by bringing in a Hollywood public relations firm to handle media inquiries in the case. Legal experts said they have never heard of such a procedure, even in the most high-profile cases. "It may be naivete on their part, but it makes it look like their interests are something other than seeing that justice is done," said Loyola University law professor Laurie Levenson. "I've never heard of it happening before," she said. "It seems to be shades of O.J. Prosecutors are so struck by the spotlight that their vision is blurred." In the O.J. Simpson murder trial, there were no outside media consultants, but the case became a mass media ex travaganza nevertheless. Even if District Attorney Tom Sneddon's motives are innocent, Levenson said, a good defense attorney will be able to argue that the prosecutors were more interested in image than evidence. Sneddon issued a written statement announcing that the firm Tellem Worldwide would be assisting him. He provided reporters with phone numbers to call their representatives. Company president Susan Tellem said she contacted Sneddon last month and offered her firm's services without pay. After seeing his first press conference on the case, she said she surmised he would need assistance handling the media barrage. The firm has a history of volunteerism and she felt it could help both Sneddon and the news media. Asked if working with the district attorney against Jackson could hurt her with other celebrity clients, she said, "I don't think taking a position of helping the media report a story is being against Michael Jackson." --

※ 发信站: 批踢踢实业坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 61.230.111.233