Radio stations stop playing Michael Jackson's music after Leaving Neverland

Michael Jackson's music has been dropped by radio stations in New Zealand and Canada in response to the new HBO documentary Leaving Neverland, CNN reports.

New Zealand's MediaWorks said the decision is "a reflection of our audiences and their preferences," while Radio NZ said the pop star's songs would only be heard on the station if they're "part of a news story or to provide color around a commentary piece." As the music has been dropped by the biggest radio networks in the country, The New York Times describes this as an "almost complete removal" of Jackson's music from New Zealand radio.

Leaving Neverland sees two men detail their allegations that Jackson sexually abused them when they were children. The Jackson estate has denied the accusations and is suing HBO for $100 million. The harrowing, four-hour film has sparked a fresh dialogue about whether it's possible to separate the art from the artist, a conversation that has arisen with unfortunate frequency in recent years.

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