Jackson Attacks `racist' Eminem At Rally

Michael Jackson has hinted that his new chart rival, Eminem, is a racist by calling American newsman Geraldo Rivera during a protest about the rapper's new video.

Jackson is upset with Eminem because the irreverent rapper pokes fun at the pop superstar in his JUST LOSE IT promo - dancing on a bed with young boys, losing his fake nose on a dancefloor and setting his hair alight.

And during a live Fox News broadcast on Thursday night (11NOV04) from a demonstration by Jackson's fans outside MTV's headquarters in New York, the King of Pop called Rivera direct to comment on the video further and blast MTV bosses for continuing to air it.

He raged, "I think that it's demeaning and disrespectful but I also want to make it clear it's not just about Michael Jackson but a pattern of disrespect that he (Eminem) has shown to our community.

"He needs to stop it and he needs to stop it now."

Rivera later stated he agreed with Jackson and blasted MTV bosses, claiming, "It's an attack on people who allow lazy racism to get on the air."

Meanwhile, Eminem shows no sign of apologising for the video and even plans to turn up at the MTV European Music Awards next week (18NOV04) dressed as Jackson.

Promoting his new album Encore on Friday (12NOV04), he said, "I've struck some kind of chord with him and I'm not sure exactly what it was that I struck in him that I didn't strike in Madonna or Mc Hammer or Pee Wee Herman or myself, all of which I made fun of and spoofed (in the video).

"I like Michael Jackson, I like him a lot. I'm just happy that Michael Jackson has heard of me."