The celebrity gossip title claims the photo is the last one showing Jackson alive after his fatal heart attack.
A source told Media Week in the US that Northern & Shell, OK!'s publisher, paid roughly $500,000 for the rights to the photo in the US and the UK.
The photo looks almost identical to one posted on 'Entertainment Tonight's' website ETonline.com.
Hello magazine, OK!'s rival, is also running a Michael Jackson tribute issue this week, but its cover image is of the star waving goodbye in a shot taken a few years back.
Sarah Ivens, editorial director at OK!, told MediaWeek.com that she thought the dying Jackson photo would differentiate OK! from the other magazines running tribute issues this week.
Ivens said: "It's a photo that captures the surprise and the upset and the moment of this breaking news story.
"I hope the cover will provoke readers. It celebrated the man, but it also does expose that he was an eccentric character who lived a very controversial life."
Natmags is releasing a one-off commemorative Michael Jackson tribute magazine today.
The 132-page title is entitled 'Michael Jackson - Tribute to a Legend'. A total of 200,000 copies of the glossy A4 title will be on sale for a month, priced at £2.99.
Separately, the latest edition of monthly music magazine Q also features Jackson as the cover star, but the issue was printed and distributed before the singer's death and was produced to coincide with his 02 concerts.
Paul Rees, Q's editor, said in a statement: "Michael Jackson's record-breaking residency at London's O2 Arena was always destined to be the year's biggest music story, one way or another.
"As such, three months ago we decided to put Jackson on the cover of the issue of Q that will go on sale tomorrow and throughout the month of July, when the first batch of dates were due to take place.
"Work on this issue was completed a fortnight ago and it was printed shortly thereafter. When news of Michael Jackson's death broke in the early hours of Friday morning, it was already being distributed.
"As such, we have had no opportunity to change any of the editorial content within the issue. Such is the risk inherent in producing a monthly magazine -- that events may overtake a story that you are committed to.
"If you do take offence to any part of the issue in light of Michael Jackson's tragic passing, I can only apologise on behalf of Q.
"Hopefully, you will understand that no offence was intended or meant."
Comments
FP - 30/06/2009
It's about time that people stopped buying OK! and advertisers dropped it from their schedules. A tribute? Give me a break. It's sick.
I laughed at the jokes flying around last Friday so call me hypocritical when I say... this is bad taste gone bad.
'In Loving Memory' on the front. How loving to put a photo of a dying person on the cover. What a loving memory people will have now.
Agreed very bad taste, I remember the uproar when the paps tried to sell pictures of Diana dying to the red tops, I fail to see how this is any different.
Given that this story is less than a week old this is also very insensitive to the family.
Here, here Simon ! But, who is selling the picture? Anyone? Is it the Jacko Estate \(if there is such a thing)....
I thought Ofcom was scrapping CPR?
Beyond decency, boycott OK!
Lee H - 30/06/2009
Truly, truly vile! I guess the Jade Goody fans will lap this up to place beside her commemorative issue! What a sad state of affairs our world is in!
it's definitely sick and must be horrible for the family... but I did see OK, pick it up and look through. Just human nature isn't it? We get the media we deserve and all that. I didn't buy it though - that's morally redemptive right? or perhaps I'm just tight.
This is sick. OK should be removed from news-stands. All proceeds from the sale should go to a chartiable trust instead. I am horrified by this.
A similar photo of the dying Michael Jackson wearing an oxegyn mask was published on Monday in the ever-tasteful Paris Match here. If OK! paid £ 300 000 for "exclusive rights", they've been done.
Shame on all of us that this is what passes for popular culture.
Agree with you all. Anyone on Twitter #OKfail
They should have paid that. And then REFUSED to use it. That would be celebrating his life.
spring - 30/06/2009
you know what, I just can't get my head around the thinking behind the use of the picture of a dying person as a cover page tribute edition. I guess this is what is meant by 'don’t get you emotions involved at work'. OK magazine does it with first class honours! How can they seek profit in this inhumane manner with the hope that through public anger they get even more money and publicity! I think we need a new kind of celebrity the 'paparazzi' then a magazine titled ‘Paparazzi to the tabloid paparazzi’ can go into circulation which will be a dedication to evil and distasteful journalism. So that all, those who print insensitive materials about celebrities and the general public can be put under the spotlight. Then maybe when they lose a loved one their last agonising moments can be put on the front covers for big bucks as a tribute ,after all what has emotions got to do with it, it’s the money that counts and see how they will appreciate it then.
Please Cooperative Social responsibility and ethical behaviour is not all about recycling and preserving the environment, Morality and respect for the dead should be highlighted.
J N - 30/06/2009
Michael Jackson fan or not, this is a complete violation of the basic human right of privacy. Please help rip this disgusting magazine off the shelves, sign here: http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/HelpMichaelJackson/
How would you like to have your dying family member printed in magazines at the grocery store?
J N - 30/06/2009
<http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/HelpMichaelJackson/>
Oh wow, they are f*cking sickos! It was an extremely crass decision to post such a nasty picture of a dead man on the front page. And their excuse for doing so is just pathetic. This Sara Ivans, who ever the hell this non entity of a wretched scumb bucket she is, I wonder how she would like a picture of her mothers dead corpse doing the rounds on the magazine covers.. Someone ought to pull this woman aside and give it a thump in the gob
Here is a petition someone set up to recall this edition of OK!
http://www.petitiononline.com/MJTribue/petition.html
All will be forwarded to the press complaints comission .. I also hear that there is currently a representitive on the case and is looking to take lega action.. I hope they do and sue the fucking arse off of this piece of trash magazine
http://www.petitiononline.com/MJTribue/petition.html
L K - 30/06/2009
EVERYONE deserves the right to die with dignity. I'm surprised there isn't a huge uproar about this picture. How can the person\(s) who sold it sleep at night? Truly disgusting.
They say he was "dying", but how do they know for sure? From what I've read, the people round Jackson took 50+ minutes to call the emergency services.
L K - 30/06/2009
Though it's not just OK! magazine; most tabloids in the UK had this picture on the front page..
http://www.petitiononline.com/MJTribue/petition.html
It is indeed utter trash. The fact that OK call it a tribute...well it would be funny if it were humorous. Perhaps when the repugnant, loathsome editor passes on the magazine should publish them in their coffin "As a tribute".
Comments
FP - 30/06/2009
It's about time that people stopped buying OK! and advertisers dropped it from their schedules. A tribute? Give me a break. It's sick.
John Gallen - 30/06/2009
I laughed at the jokes flying around last Friday so call me hypocritical when I say... this is bad taste gone bad.
David Bowie - 30/06/2009
'In Loving Memory' on the front. How loving to put a photo of a dying person on the cover. What a loving memory people will have now.
Simon Harris - 30/06/2009
Agreed very bad taste, I remember the uproar when the paps tried to sell pictures of Diana dying to the red tops, I fail to see how this is any different. Given that this story is less than a week old this is also very insensitive to the family.
John Gallen - 30/06/2009
Here, here Simon ! But, who is selling the picture? Anyone? Is it the Jacko Estate \(if there is such a thing)....
Mark Griffiths - 30/06/2009
Definitely not OK.
Jeremy Lee - 30/06/2009
I thought Ofcom was scrapping CPR?
rachel patey - 30/06/2009
Beyond decency, boycott OK!
Lee H - 30/06/2009
Truly, truly vile! I guess the Jade Goody fans will lap this up to place beside her commemorative issue! What a sad state of affairs our world is in!
Robin Bonn - 30/06/2009
it's definitely sick and must be horrible for the family... but I did see OK, pick it up and look through. Just human nature isn't it? We get the media we deserve and all that. I didn't buy it though - that's morally redemptive right? or perhaps I'm just tight.
Natalie Prout - 30/06/2009
une curiosité malsaine
Sima Patel - 30/06/2009
This is sick. OK should be removed from news-stands. All proceeds from the sale should go to a chartiable trust instead. I am horrified by this.
jeane GROGAN - 30/06/2009
A similar photo of the dying Michael Jackson wearing an oxegyn mask was published on Monday in the ever-tasteful Paris Match here. If OK! paid £ 300 000 for "exclusive rights", they've been done. Shame on all of us that this is what passes for popular culture.
Suzie Shore - 30/06/2009
Agree with you all. Anyone on Twitter #OKfail
Gellan Watt - 30/06/2009
They should have paid that. And then REFUSED to use it. That would be celebrating his life.
spring - 30/06/2009
you know what, I just can't get my head around the thinking behind the use of the picture of a dying person as a cover page tribute edition. I guess this is what is meant by 'don’t get you emotions involved at work'. OK magazine does it with first class honours! How can they seek profit in this inhumane manner with the hope that through public anger they get even more money and publicity! I think we need a new kind of celebrity the 'paparazzi' then a magazine titled ‘Paparazzi to the tabloid paparazzi’ can go into circulation which will be a dedication to evil and distasteful journalism. So that all, those who print insensitive materials about celebrities and the general public can be put under the spotlight. Then maybe when they lose a loved one their last agonising moments can be put on the front covers for big bucks as a tribute ,after all what has emotions got to do with it, it’s the money that counts and see how they will appreciate it then.
Please Cooperative Social responsibility and ethical behaviour is not all about recycling and preserving the environment, Morality and respect for the dead should be highlighted.
Karl Lobley - 30/06/2009
Sick
J N - 30/06/2009
Michael Jackson fan or not, this is a complete violation of the basic human right of privacy. Please help rip this disgusting magazine off the shelves, sign here: http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/HelpMichaelJackson/ How would you like to have your dying family member printed in magazines at the grocery store?
J N - 30/06/2009
<http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/HelpMichaelJackson/>
Jenny Smith - 30/06/2009
Oh wow, they are f*cking sickos! It was an extremely crass decision to post such a nasty picture of a dead man on the front page. And their excuse for doing so is just pathetic. This Sara Ivans, who ever the hell this non entity of a wretched scumb bucket she is, I wonder how she would like a picture of her mothers dead corpse doing the rounds on the magazine covers.. Someone ought to pull this woman aside and give it a thump in the gob
Jenny Smith - 30/06/2009
Here is a petition someone set up to recall this edition of OK! http://www.petitiononline.com/MJTribue/petition.html All will be forwarded to the press complaints comission .. I also hear that there is currently a representitive on the case and is looking to take lega action.. I hope they do and sue the fucking arse off of this piece of trash magazine
Jenny Smith - 30/06/2009
http://www.petitiononline.com/MJTribue/petition.html
L K - 30/06/2009
EVERYONE deserves the right to die with dignity. I'm surprised there isn't a huge uproar about this picture. How can the person\(s) who sold it sleep at night? Truly disgusting. They say he was "dying", but how do they know for sure? From what I've read, the people round Jackson took 50+ minutes to call the emergency services.
L K - 30/06/2009
Though it's not just OK! magazine; most tabloids in the UK had this picture on the front page..
Paul McShane - 01/07/2009
http://www.petitiononline.com/MJTribue/petition.html It is indeed utter trash. The fact that OK call it a tribute...well it would be funny if it were humorous. Perhaps when the repugnant, loathsome editor passes on the magazine should publish them in their coffin "As a tribute".