NBC News is ready to give Michael Jackson his prime-time close-up, novel nose and all, but the self-proclaimed King of Pop is not happy about it.

A special edition of NBC’s news magazine Dateline next month will focus on Jackson’s face and how the reclusive singer’s appearance has dramatically changed over the years along with the highs and lows of his career, network executives said on Friday.

Jackson’s publicist in Los Angeles expressed outrage. ‘‘I think it’s horrible that NBC is planning on doing a special on Jackson’s face, and the network should focus on more important issues in the world,’’ she said.

Promotional material released on Friday for NBC’s winter showcase of upcoming programmes described the Dateline special, titled Michael Jackson Unmasked, as the ‘‘inside story’’ of the performer ‘‘as told by some of the people who knew him best.’’ But comments from network executives made it clear the Dateline segment, slated to air during ratings ‘‘sweeps’’ on Feb. 17, would spotlight the Gloved One’s looks. In his opening remarks to TV critics gathered for the event, NBC Entertainment president Jeff Zucker described it as a special edition on ‘‘Michael Jackson’s face.’’

‘‘I just hope the folks at Sony Music don’t complain,’’ Zucker joked in a reference to Jackson’s label, where ex-NBC president Andrew Lack assumed his new post as CEO last week.

An NBC News publicist later said the Dateline special would trace ‘‘the rise and fall of Jackson using the transformation of his looks as a metaphor for his career.’’ She said the segment would include an interview with a plastic surgeon who treated Jackson.

The performer ignited worldwide speculation about his face when he was photographed during a rare courtroom appearance in November that left many with with the impression he had undergone too many nose-jobs.

A number of plastic surgeons suggest that Jackson may suffer from a rare psychiatric condition, called body dysmorphic disorder, which renders patients dissatisfied with surgical results regardless of any objective improvement in their appearance.