Madeleine McCann: Prayers, Bones And Media
MADDYWATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann
Remember, everyone, to play Anorak Bingo you must mention Madeleine McCann, Shannon Matthews and – here’s the tie-breaker – Scarlett Keeling. Eyes down…
DAILY MAIL: Amanda Platell
There cannot be a person in the country who didn’t feel a surge of delight on learning that little Shannon Matthews has been found alive and well.
We can think of one.
All the more so in these days when good news has become such a rare commodity. Yet even as we celebrate, we should spare a thought for Gerry and Kate McCann, for whom Shannon’s discovery, wonderful as it is, will be a fresh reminder of their own terrible loss. The return of one lost girl is a marvel. The return of two . . . now that’s a miracle worth praying for.
Was it the power of prayer that got Shannon Matthews found? If so, who gets the reward?
Tick. Tick.
THE INDEPENDENT: “Deborah Orr: Wonderful news that carries a message for the media”
It isn’t often that the papers have some really wonderful news to report. But it really is wonderful that Shannon Matthews has been found alive.
Amanda Platell agrees.
This amazing news also carries a lesson for the media, about the way it turns horrible crimes into great stories, and what an unpleasant, self-regarding business this can be.
There were suggestions that Shannon’s disappearance was not getting the coverage afforded to another lost child, Madeleine McCann, because the latter was a middle-class child and the former a child from a more modest and chaotic background. There is some truth in this argument, of course.
You can read about it all over the media.
But the underlying assumption is that all the publicity around the McCann case is something desirable and useful, while the more meagre reporting about the Matthew case is undesirable and useless. If children really could be reunited with their parents because of the magical power of speculative column inches, though, then Madeleine, not Shannon, would have been returned to her family by now. The very idea that the hypocritical furore around Madeleine is something to be aspired to, a benchmark of any positive kind, is quite wrong and ought to be challenged.
The McCanns should not be the media’s benchmark for missing children. We’ve heard that before…
True, the “debate” helped to keep Shannon’s abduction in the public domain, just as the “debate” around Made-leine continues to keep her case in the public domain.
A debate. On what? What was being debated?
It might be argued that there would have been no great endeavour to find Shannon had the press not made the supposedly modest fuss it did.
MEdia.
I believe this isn’t the case. The local media has a vast part to play, but the national and international press, apart from reporting facts about the investigation, can offer little but intrusive “colour”. The reality is that the vast majority of the “stories” written about the McCann case have been prurient and sensational pieces of cynical propaganda, serving no practical purpose at all except for the selling of newspapers.
Indeed. Read all about selling papers in the Independent.
Tick. Tick.
IRISH INDEPENDENT: “Divers recover bag of small bones in search for Maddy”
DIVERS searching an Algarve reservoir for Madeleine McCann yesterday found a plastic bag containing small bones. Police experts were last night examining the gruesome find made by a frogman working for a Portuguese lawyer.
Gerry and Kate McCann were informed immediately by a private detective who was observing the search. Madeira-based lawyer Marcos Aragao Correia says he was tipped off by underworld contacts that Madeleine was murdered and her body thrown into the reservoir last May.The search turned up the bones in the murky waters of the Barragem do Arabe reservoir yesterday at 3.30pm.
Mr Correia said last night: “We found two bags one of which contains some small bones. We don’t know if they are human bones or not at this stage. If they are human bones, they look like they come from a child’s fingers.”
Tick. And a half tick for speculation.
THIS IS LONDON: “Bag of small bones found in reservoir where lawyer claims Madeleine McCann’s body was dumped”
Says Clarence Mitchell: “We have not been informed of anything by the police to indicate that this find is significant. There is nothing to indicate at this stage that they are human bones and they could easily be from an animal. There is nothing at the moment to indicate that this find has anything to do with Madeleine. We continue to believe she is alive.”
THE SUN: “Shannon: 24 days of tears”
IN the end, the prayers were answered – as yesterday the tears of anguish over missing Shannon Matthews turned to sobs of relief.
Prayers. What of the tip off? The police work?
TIMELINE:
Sunday, February 24: CHURCHGOERS pray for Shannon’s safe return. Madeleine McCann’s parents send a message of support.
Tick. Tick.
THE GUARDIAN: “What women want”
Following last year’s Booker win, Anne Enright is finally enjoying wider recognition - despite her work’s reputation for being gloomy and obsessed with sex and death
She became the target of ire in the tabloids when they picked up an article she wrote in the London Review of Books dissecting her reaction to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. The piece was full of ambivalence, describing her suspicions of Gerry and Kate McCann but in the end condemning her own voyeurism. She refuses to say whether the fracas upset her, but seems sensibly resigned, agreeing that events proved how she was naive to think her nuances would be understood in the grotesque guessing game that the story had become: “I was misread and I hoped that would become apparent, but there’s no point in me stomping around and fighting with shadows.”
Posted: 15th, March 2008 | In: Broadsheets, Madeleine McCann, Tabloids Comments (621) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
Comments
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March 15th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
108 Jolie
Ade, is that a British way of saying that I am (we are) a bit ill?
erm…
the understated, subtle approach?
well yes but ill in a nice sort of way…
March 15th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Gandolf
The priest will not spill. If he did, nobody would be thankful : you still would think badly of the Catholics, and the Catholics would treat him as a pariah, having broken his vows.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
102 Jolie
Don’t depart, please.
(I too must cut on my time here, as I have some work to do, but I still plan to read the forums and sometimes share my views).
March 15th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Ade, is that a British way of saying that I am (we are) a bit ill?
March 15th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
101
Marie Nicholas Says:
March 15th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Apart from the bare facts : The children left alone at night, the little girl disappearing, no trace of a kidnapping, no trace of a murder,
———————————————————————————————————–
I find your post amusing. Most people on this board do have an opinion. Seems as if you like to praddle on about nothing, just to hear your own voice.
March 15th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
102 Jolie
it’s ok
it’s called “care in the community”
March 15th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
91
DuncanR Says:
March 15th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Everybody
I am repeating here a comment posted earlier by Carmen which some may not have seen
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MODS AND ADMIN
OK, I understand where you are coming from, but you should understand this. Because a newspaper has reported that this was said, doesn’t necessarily make it true. The original commentator may not have been telling the truth. If it isn’t true, then a libel action can be taken against the original commentator, the newspaper which reported it, and YOU for repeating it.
The onus would be on you to prove that it was true, not just that it was said.
Our main concern here is that the child’s reputation should not be damaged. Nothing illegal may have taken place, in terms of actions against the child. She may not have been held against her will. She should not be labelled as being the victim of anything untoward until the truth is known.
Which leads us to a secondary position, IF anything has taken place that later proves to be illegal, we would not want the perpetrator to escape justice because they were able to show that speculation had taken place on this forum that made a fair trial impossible.
We will be watching carefully everything that is said - if in doubt, don’t say it.
Any wags or wits who think their voice being heard is more important than that child’s reputation or a fair trial of anyone involved in possible wrong doing will find themselves in moderation faster than they can type.
Think before you press ’send’ everybody. OK?
————————-
I read the above carefully and then noted the recent new thread from today that Anorak has written, entitled “Shannon Matthews: Paul Drake, Mick Donovan and Claiming the Reward.”
http://www.anorak.co.uk/tabloids/182026.html
It seems Anorak has no problem repeating speculation from the tabloids on the Shannon Matthews case to attract people to the site to read it, but wants to stifle expression and comment on it. I am truly puzzled.
March 15th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
_____________________
88
Gandolf Says:
March 15th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Scarlett, you would have to know if the priest spilled.
_______________________
He’s the only one to show any signs of cracking, so there is hope.
March 15th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Marie
It’s a bit before 9 am here.
Have to leave soon to give breakfast to the pets and kids.
March 15th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
101
Marie Nicholas Says:
March 15th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Apart from the bare facts : The children left alone at night, the little girl disappearing, no trace of a murder
——————————————————————————————————–
Lol, LOL, LOL, funniest post on the board. You must not read the paper.
March 15th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Hi Jolie !
What time is it in Oklahoma (your place if I remember well) ?
March 15th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
I was ready to ditch my Anorak obsession today, I thought, until I started reading the posts and remembered the feeling of community I find so enjoyable. So while I should perhaps spend my time more wisely, I am not ready yet to depart. I am thinking of cutting back on time spent here, though.
March 15th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I am pleased that little Shannon was found alive, and hope the aftermath of her story will not weigh too heavily on her future. That said, I must say I never took the same interest in her story as in the MC’s story. It made me understand what fascinates me there.
I found the MC’s reaction to their loss extremely unusual and intriguing. Apart from the amount of money they collected, and their strange media campaign, which were already astonishing, to use Pat Brown’s language, a number of red flags were raised about their veracity, and by themselves. Yet, those red flags raise questions without bringing answers.
Apart from the bare facts : The children left alone at night, the little girl disappearing, no trace of a kidnapping, no trace of a murder, no ransom asked, which in itself is asking for answers, we have this other big fact : the PJ is suspecting the parents, due to some unknown evidence, and the parents claim the PJ are wrong, the child was abducted. Two contradictory statements, and no hope of getting more information before long. The longlasting struggle of influence between, on one side, the MCs-their family-their powerful friends-their PR-their lawyers-the media-Met3, and, on the other hand, the silent PJ, is catching, especially as we, the public, are taken to witness it via the media.
But most people, while being kept informed by the media, either don’t care about the case, or don’t make comments.
What makes us Anorakians share our feelings and thoughts by hundreds every day, I still don’t know for sure. On Anorak’s forums, I search information which is different from the media information, as it is shared for free, by people who aren’t journalists, and who doubt the press. I also enjoy the mixing of opinions and reactions, and the fact that we, posters, are all on an equal level. I enjoy the debate, I enjoy the company. And the mystery keeps me at bait; the fact that it is a real one makes it all the more interesting. It is exciting for the mind.
What worries me is that, by getting caught the way I am, I am playing the part which the media expect form me. And I resent the fact that the media thrive on a deformed image of reality, by selecting one story, among thousands, and seasoning it with hot pepper to make it more palatable.
March 15th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
It was a nice touch for Shannon to be given a kitten to play with this morning. Made me smile to think of her being treated with special care. I think this little girl’s life is going to be vastly improved over what it was before her disappearance. People will not take her for granted anymore. The bullying from classmates will stop, I think.. I would suspect that the schools will take measures to teach children the importance of not bullying. The family is so glad that she is alive, they will use care in how they treat her. If there were problems in her home life, they will be sorted out now. Good for you, Shannon! I’m so glad you have a chance at a happy life.
March 15th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
97 Gandolf
it may have been a cold day with a keen breeze
March 15th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
96 SteveT
will do
fastest way to travel between nips
inter-titty
March 15th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
âde, are you suggesting that I may have exaggerated.
March 15th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Ade,
Try and keep abreast of things.
March 15th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
94 gandolf
wot?
breasts?
shurely shome mishtake
pimples, i fear…
March 15th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
it’s all getting very interesting
and very complicated
difficult for the clearly limited comical one to handle
the more these “abductions” come up the worse it is for mcconns
we see real parents with real emotions who genuinely want their missing child back
and parents who actually look for the child and actually care
then we compare this with the jogging sickos
and they look more sick by the day
excellent sport
great fun to watch
March 15th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
DuncanR, ok no problem, I thought it was fair comment, on a par with Kate’s breasts, obviously I was mistaken.
March 15th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
brilliant news about shannon
such a shame the mcconns will never have a similar experience
March 15th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Everybody
I am repeating here a comment posted earlier by Carmen which some may not have seen
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MODS AND ADMIN
OK, I understand where you are coming from, but you should understand this. Because a newspaper has reported that this was said, doesn’t necessarily make it true. The original commentator may not have been telling the truth. If it isn’t true, then a libel action can be taken against the original commentator, the newspaper which reported it, and YOU for repeating it.
The onus would be on you to prove that it was true, not just that it was said.
Our main concern here is that the child’s reputation should not be damaged. Nothing illegal may have taken place, in terms of actions against the child. She may not have been held against her will. She should not be labelled as being the victim of anything untoward until the truth is known.
Which leads us to a secondary position, IF anything has taken place that later proves to be illegal, we would not want the perpetrator to escape justice because they were able to show that speculation had taken place on this forum that made a fair trial impossible.
We will be watching carefully everything that is said - if in doubt, don’t say it.
Any wags or wits who think their voice being heard is more important than that child’s reputation or a fair trial of anyone involved in possible wrong doing will find themselves in moderation faster than they can type.
Think before you press ’send’ everybody. OK?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Gandolf - I have pulled a recent post of yours on the personnel involved in the Shannan case. Having read Carmen’s post above, I am sure you will understand the reason why.
March 15th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
90 - Gandalf. I see what you mean… good point. Like you imply, because she is common and not very pretty, she deserves everything she gets - [deleted] / abducted child. In fact, how selfish of her to impose this whole story on us the genteel british public. Thank you for reminding us of the important aspects of the story and avoiding any compassion.
March 15th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Gandolf
They got the kid eventually - that’s better than the McCanns are doing.
March 15th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Scarlett, you would have to know if the priest spilled.
March 15th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
86 Gandolf. Well said mate! I’m with you on that one. If only Plod had not been involved at all in the case, she’d have been found weeks ago. Imagine not looking in the bottom of the divan bed of a distant relative of the stepfather on Day 1. What complete ninnies they are!
March 15th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Are Robert Murat and his chums going to be “exonerated” as well???????????
March 15th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
lilith, whatever it was that found Shannon safe and well,it appears to be allegedly, in spite of that police “work”, of which you are so fawning.
March 15th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
80
bishop brennan
They are hi-jacking the shannon case because they want the public diverted from the fact the best way to find a child is cooperating with the police.
NOT papal visits, interviews with glossy magazines, setting up a ridiculous online shop with merchandise.
That’s why they are sticking their mugs in.