•The China Post: Michael an icon in Taiwan

A household name in Taiwan ever since the ‘70s, the Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson were popular here “from the days when the radio station now known as ICRT was operated by the US armed forces”. With a tinge of pride, the editorial points out, “Remarkably, Jackson also happened to be in Taiwan when news broke about him being accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy at his Neverland Ranch. When the news hit, Jackson locked himself in his hotel room at a fancy Taipei hotel and family members came to Taiwan to defend his reputation, making worldwide headlines.” According to music magazine publisher Yu Kuang, says the article, Jackson’s wish to perform in mainland China was never fulfilled but he “stayed close friends with fans in Taiwan”.

•Hurriyet Daily News: Reflecting on Man in the Mirror

In an indication of how huge Jackson is in Turkey, the paper recalls how the song Black and White cut into the regular broadcast of a TV channel as ‘breaking news’ in 1991. A writer from Turkish music magazine Blue Jean points out in the article, “He was not just a pop icon, he was a symbol of the Western culture...In Eastern countries, listening to him was a way to ‘go West.’” Turkish websites dedicated to the icon were overflowing with messages such as “You left me, Michael—my mother, my father, my friend, my everything. What can I do now?”

... contd.