Madeleine McCann: Introducing Amelie And The Maddie Catty
WITH Madeleine McCann missing – still missing – the papers discover a new angle of investigation: her sister.
“MADDIE COME HOME,” says the Sun’s headline. “Tot hugs Maddie’s cuddle cat.” And there is Amelie McCann holding on to her sister’s comforter.
What purpose this serves, Anorak is unsure. We have tired of looking at the faces of Madeleine McCann’s parents but are we so desperate for a new face in the narrative that we need Amelie? No new suspect. No arrests. No sign of Madeleine. So here’s Amelie. She can keep the story alive, justify its place on the front pages?
While readers wonder why it’s newsworthy to publish a picture of Madeleine McCann’s little sister, while the faces of media shy David Beckham and his tick-like wife’s children are pixelated to preserve their privacy, the Mirror spots Amalie.
More Amelie on the Mirror’s front page. “A cuddle from her little sis,” reads the headline above the shot of Amelia hugging Madeleine’s toy. And on the Express’s front page, more Amelie. And on the Mail’s.
Is this a cynical manipulation of the news? It tugs the heart strings. It cannot fail to. But for what ends? To make us feel more a part of a story turned into public spectacle? Can it be too long before the Mirror is offering readers a chance to buy the “Maddie Cattie”, replica cuddle cloths, with a percentage of profits going to establish a fighting fund?
“Little Amelie McCann clutches her big sister Madeleine’s favourite “Cuddle Cat” soft toy yesterday — and wishes the missing tot was back with her,” says the Sun’s reporter in Praia da Luz.
Touching stuff. Or just creepy…
Posted: 19th, May 2007 | In: Tabloids Comments (70) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
Comments
- yampster on Daily Mail And Tax Payers’ Alliance Attacks BBC Over Its Free Trees For A Better Planet
- June on The Pirelli 2010 Calendar In Artful Nudity (NSFW)
- June on Susan Boyle: World Divided Over SuBo And Lady Susan
- Tony on Daily Mail And Tax Payers’ Alliance Attacks BBC Over Its Free Trees For A Better Planet
- Cheryl on Susan Boyle: World Divided Over SuBo And Lady Susan
May 19th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Hayley is right - citizens of the world need to stand together and do everything possible to stop the taking of innocent children. It is a tragedy.
May 19th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
When will we stand up and say no more. No more will we stand for people taking our children. No more belittling the process a parent takes to get back their child…..NO more. Lets support this family, for Madeleine is so precious and wonderful she needs to be with her family. As citizens of the world (yes all the way over here in Australia) we need to stand beside this family and do everything to stop the horror that they are facing. Bring her home and lets stop this taking of innocent and very loved children for only God knows what. Support this family, pray every day and believe there can be a better world.
May 19th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
the press story on little maddy is an intrusion on this families grief.
Fortunately most of the readers who are using this grief as their own will not be suffering the same pain day in day out that her family will.
I believe when this story is out of the limelight will be the proper time to help with the healing. I ask…if this was happening to you & yours would you really appreciate being pushed into the limelight for the sake of selling some sick story. I hate the way the papers treat our grief as a means to their profits. I genuinely feel the horror and pain her parents are going through but feel too many have lost the plot and are unknowingly adding to the trauma. I blame the press. Ross ..you are honest and true and that is why most readers dont like what you write.
Please try to respect these peoples privacy and see the press for what they are …arrogant intrusive…they thrive on these stories of personal tragedy…then run to the pub to drown their own dirt.
Peace & Light
Billy
May 19th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Reporting from Praia da Luz, Algarve - Paulo Reis
Portuguese Press: Headlines and news about Madeleine McCann abduction
Today, all the national weekly (two) and daily newspapers (four) have news about Madeleine. Four of them have the story on front page, with Correio da Manhã (CM) having the largest headline, with a picture of McCann couple and their twins. The newspaper has new and important details about the case. Hard-disks of both computers of Sergei Malinka, aprehended by police, had all files wiped out. Also, Malink called Robert Murat at the night Madeleine was abducted, around 11:30 pm. First call was made to home number of Murat’s house, second was made to the mobile phone of Murat’s mother, a 79 years old lady. Sergei, according to CM, told police he doesn’t remember why he called Murat, and only remembers having done a single phone call. (…)
May 19th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Daz - “Pathetic” to find the story irritating? The awful event and the story are not one and the same. The story has facts, albeit many as yet unconvered to the masses. The story has speculation and mawkishness …
May 19th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
I agree Matt - we need to do everything we can to keep Madeleine on the front of newspapers etc
“ROSS” - I am glad that i cant go hardly anywhere without seeing her or her familys faces - because that is keeping the search alive.
Anyone who thinks the story is becoming irritating is a pathetic fool, it must be SO hard for you too WATCH the family suffering, as apposed to you suffering yourself.
Daz.
May 19th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
ross i am sickened that you think this is a sham, we need to do all we can to support the search for madeleine. the pictures in the national papers are very upsetting but they are there for a reason.
May 19th, 2007 at 11:07 am
I guess people are beginning to clutch at anything to ensure that Madeleine is on the front page of the news and not forgotten in a small article on page 15. If Madeleine McCann has allegedly been sighted in Morocco by a holidaying Norwegian woman, then why have we not been told of any investigations being conducted in that country???
May 19th, 2007 at 10:52 am
Desperate attempt to scrape the last few pennies form the public in this sham.