TV misses out as gossip website TMZ reports Michael Jackson's death first

With the death of pop star Michael Jackson, TMZ gave the most potent demonstration yet of its ability to stir the pot of entertainment news. The gossip site once again left TV networks and other traditional media outlets scrambling in its wake, even as they attempted to distance themselves from a source widely regarded as salacious, if not disreputable.

By Scott Collins and Greg Braxton

June 26, 2009