BskyB dodges Jackson ban

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BSkyB is planning to reconstruct the forthcoming trial of pop star Michael Jackson on a daily basis in an attempt to circumvent an order banning cameras from the US courtroom.

BSkyB will partner with US network E! Entertainment Television, employing official transcripts to reconstruct the previous day's courtroom events. Jackson, 46, was charged on nine felony counts by US prosecutors in December 2003. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The half-hour programme will be screened on both Sky News and Sky One every weekday. The technique, which has been used to cover closed judicial enquiries in the UK, was pioneered by former Sky exec Kelvin MacKenzie when at Live TV; he had two lumbering amateur pugilists reconstruct a Tyson fight – being shown exclusively on Sky – as the fight went on.

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Bashir - Jackson Trial

Martin Bashir is to testify at Michael Jackson's trial in America.

The television reporter has been ordered to appear as a prosecution witness by California superior court judge Rodney Melville.

Melville said Bashir was a "necessary material witness with regard to the production, editing, and broadcast" of the controversial Living With Michael Jackson documentary.

The MediaGuardian.co.uk website today reported that Bashir, who left the UK last year to work for ABC's 20/20 news show in New York, will be flown to Santa Barbara on March 1.

His flight and accommodation costs will be met by the court and he will receive an £11 daily witness fee.

Living With Michael Jackson, broadcast in early 2003, featured an interview with the boy whose accusations have led to the upcoming trial.

BSkyB is to stage daily reconstructions of the court case based on transcripts because TV cameras have been banned from the court room.

The trial is set to begin on January 31.