NAACP SAYS THE MEDIA BASHING JACKSON, WHO MAY RELEASE STATEMENT

The NAACP says the media are being too hard on Michael Jackson, who's accused of child molestation.

Jackson, believed to be at his Neverland ranch, may make a statement about the allegations this week, his lawyer said.Shannon F. Reeves, West Coast region director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, scheduled a news conference for Monday afternoon.

The conference will cover "the media bashing of entertainer Michael Jackson and . . . address how other economically powerful African-Americans have been victimized by the press," a news release said.

Jackson is accused in a lawsuit of molesting a 13-year-old boy.