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
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March 15th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
OK Duncan, thanks
March 15th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
169 -just_me
+++++++++++++++++++++++
You need not worry.
I have gone over your earlier posts and they were Ok, except one.
I have edited that post to replace the word ‘abduction’ with the word ‘disappearance’, since at this stage we do not know if Shannan was taken to that flat against her will or went voluntarily.
March 15th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
173
Châtelaine
Almost 10 years since that article
Don’t be afraid for the Mccs ,they will never face trial
IMHO
March 15th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
141
brandon flours Says:
March 15th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
“[...] Marie Nichols and Ferdinand drew my attention to this yesterday
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2194/is_n10_v65/ai_18920162/pg_1
Very enlightening!!
****
Enlightening reading indeed. Todat I took the time to read it.
It reminds me of one of my workers here, who had been fired [for good reasons] yet months later was seen on the premises during my absence. I sent him a letter demanding an explanation.
I would have believed him if he would have written:
“I was curious to see how plaster on the walls I had been working on were ageing and took some pictures”.
He wrote, however:
“It was Sunday morning, May 17 at approx 10 a.m. when I went to your place as I was motivated to see how the walls I did were ageing. I opened the door of the scullery and called, but there was no answer. I then went out again as I wanted to take a couple of photographs to document my work for you. After having taken one photo, the film was finished. I then went through the big gate to my car, which was parked outside. I opened the hood and took out the rucksack, which was laying in there and in which there was a new film. I put the new film in and then entered again via the small pedestrian gate on the side. I took a couple of photos and then your housekeeper opened the window of the big salon. We talked for a while about how things were going and then I went home again”.
I wrote him a registered letter saying that I would not hesitate to call for the police, if he would ever be seen here again without my permission….
March 15th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Thank you, Duncan.
That is, indeed, helpful and clearer.
I had read Carmen’s post in the Shannon thread so, when I read it again, I knew she was referring to that case (altho’ she only says ‘the child’s reputation’). However, I couldn’t help reading if as if she were talking about MM (even tho’ I knew she wasn’t) and it all seemed it might apply to the subject of this thread, too.
Anyway, I have a better understanding now.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Detectives hunting for Madeleine McCann have carried out fresh searches of the church where her parents prayed for her safe return.
Officers are focusing on the Our Lady of the Light Church in Praia da Luz amid a theory the four-year-old’s body was stashed there, before being moved to a final hiding place.
They also searched outside the church, including in the old cemetery which is now a garden.
It is now four months since British sniffer dogs raised suspicions about the church.
Smoke fire inferno Dante ?
March 15th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
165 Gandolf
Sorry you didn”t like the joke, I thought it was quite clever, maybe it”s because
you”re suffering from a hangover yourself!!!!!!!!!
If Wales win (it”s going to be tough) I”ll be back and you might be in a better mood by
then…….
March 15th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Afternoon All
Duncan - I am still a bit confused, not hard to confuse me lol…..yesterday I was posting updates on the happenings as they were being reported on sky. I didnt make it clear on the thread that I was just typing what was being reported. If people read back, will they realise that I am not stating all the comments as fact? or should my comments regarding this be pulled?
March 15th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
155 - Denzylle
++++++++++++++++++++++
AGW posted a piece this morning on the Shannan thread (repeated in the Forum section of the site) explaining the current situation with regard to THAT case, i.e., Shannan. For good measure Carmen also posted an explanatory comment on the Shannan thread about what could and could not now be posted about the Shannan case on Anorak.
Then I went and confused everyone (it seems). Posters on the McCann thread started discussing Shannan and I had to pull a couple of these posts because of the nature of the comments contained therein. I then posted a copy of Carmen’s comments re Shannan on the McCann thread for the benefit of anyone who had not seen it, to alert posters on the McCann thread what they could not say about Shannan.
Because, it was put in the McCann thread, however, it appears some posters have interpreted that advise about what it is permissible to say in the Shannan case as applying to the McCann case also.
I could be mistaken, of course, but as far as I am aware there has been NO change in what can be said about the McCann case. The comments from Admin/Mods concerned the Shannan case.
Hope that clarifies the situation somewhat.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
156 Peter Mac
I agree. I also think the police keep her away from her family for her not to feel pressured aébout her statements as to what happened to her during the weeks she was missing. There couldn’t be a happy ending, but true, there could be some worse ones.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
165 Gandolf
I think whats worse is people like you who can’t see what stares them in the face.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
FFS Ian, I don’t know whats worse, Vals jokes or your automated posting gadget, it’s another day another thread, and I hope you have a mega fekin hangover with bells.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
1 point ,they were close to the British priest ,he want talk
The Catholic priest was fooled at first like all of us ,and the he understood what was happening IMHO
March 15th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
161
Denzylle
Not even if they were blind
The church was on their way
March 15th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Jo
About M. L., from a psycologist point a view ,i tend to think ,the parents have very strong suspitions who done it ,but to afraid to talk.
Just came to say this
I really hope to be wrong
March 15th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Jo
140
I’d say it was more of a wish to ingratiate themselves with the Catholic Church, just as they were doing with their links to government, their growing relationship with the media and the sucking up to celebrities and those with big money.
After all, they had been in PdL a week and Gerry didn’t even know where the church was so, not only had they not worshipped during their holiday but they hadn’t even noticed it whilst jogging around (I hear it’s large and not easily missed).
March 15th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Hi all, just popped in to mention:-
Kate McCann, on finding Madeleine not in her bed, did not pop next door to check if she was with the friends who had been sharing the checking of the mcCann children and were known to her to be in their apartment. No, we are told she either screamed from the balcony, or ran screaming back to the Tapas bar. Odd for someone who doesnt like attention.
Kate McCann called her mother to inform her that Madeleine was missing - and ask for a priest. Do priests have good hunting skills? How odd.
Just these two point alone are ‘interesting’ arent they?
Well, thats all from me today! - getting behind in studies!
Bye!
March 15th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
___________________
140
jo Says:
March 15th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
136
Scarlett
The church is powerful unfortunately
I have always wondered why the mccanns went to the vatican
Why on earth did they visit the pope?
Any clue?
___________________
Guilt at leaving the children, and not checking them often enough, I think was a major factor. I don’t think the visit was in any way a kind of “funeral” as some have speculated.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
157 Gandolf
All this talk about Priests, thought you”d appreciate this joke nicked from a poster
oQuote: Well seeing as you are in a laughing mood….this is for you
The old priest lay dying in the hospital.
For years, he had faithfully served the people of his community.
He motioned for his nurse to come near.
“Yes, Father?” said the nurse “I would really like to see Gerry and Kate McCann before I die,” whispered the priest.
“I’ll see what I can do, Father” replied the nurse.
The nurse sent the request to the Villa McCann and waited for a response.
Soon the word arrived; the McCann’s would be delighted to visit the priest.
As they went to the hospital, Gerry commented to Kate, “I don’t know why the old priest wants to see us, but it certainly will help our images and might even get more money rolling in to the fund.” Kate agreed.
Arriving at the hospital, they alighted from the Limousine, ignoring the assembled reporters they swept into the hospital, closely followed by the Pink Press Controller.
When they arrived at the priest’s room, the old priest took Gerry’s hand in his right hand and Kate’s hand in his left. There was silence and a look of serenity on the old priest’s face.
Finally Gerry spoke. “Father, of all the people you could have chosen, why did you choose us to be with you as you near the end?”
The old priest slowly replied, “I have always tried to pattern my life after our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
“Amen” said Gerry.
“Amen” said Kate.
The old priest continued…
“He died between two lying thieves. I would like to do the same.”
The next morning, headlines in the Newspapers.
Gerry and Kate Give comfort to dying priest
n Sky, by the way, hello to you and all!!!
March 15th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Marie Nicholas, what not even you, if the priest spilling led to the Case being solved, I rather liked the judge in the Glasgow case, in this court you answer to me, God will need to wait in line.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
100 Jolie
“:…I think this little girl’s life is going to be vastly improved over what it was before her disappearance. … The bullying from classmates will stop, … 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… I’m so glad you have a chance at a happy life.”
Jolie, I wish I could agree.
The harsh reality is that she may well be taken into care, in which case her chances even of a decent future are less than living in the way she has been.
If she is returned home she faces the unpleasantnesses of life on a sink estate with an impoversished and feckless mother and her future series of partners and further children. (Impoverished both monetarily and intellectually).
Illigitimacy is a highly hereditary condition. I could make a number of very specific predictions, but the contributors to this thread are intelligent enough to fill in the details themselves.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Duncan, I’m sure you must be sick of repeating yourself to us lot, but I’d appreciate a reply to Jo’s post, 142.
I fully understand about the Matthews case, but I don’t understand what has changed with regard to the McCann discussion, or why there appears to be a change of view.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
145 - brandon flours
+++++++++++++++++
Wouldn’t he rather be watching ET on ITV2 ?
March 15th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
150 brandon flours
Dont think the diplomatic service would come calling for either of us!
March 15th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Gone bye!!!!!!!!!!!
xxx
March 15th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Sorry I meant to put
It was ‘between my teeth’
March 15th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
WTF
My worst one was when I was having dinner with my husband and his boss.
The boss asked me if I was ok, as I was fidgeting
I replied
‘yeah fine thanks, I’ve just got this piece of meat between my legs!!’
The whole table went dead silent
I looked from him to my husband, to his wife
Thank God they were just as nutty as me
March 15th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
148 brandon flours
No no interviews
Enjoy tom and jerry
March 15th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
WTF
Enjoy the peace.
Very quiet on here today.
No interveiws yet then
Have a lovely afternoon
March 15th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
brandon flours
Its amazing what your subconscounce makes you say, i meant to say “see ya” to a guy at work who is a pain in the arse, but it came out as “stupid”, was tired and just rolled off the tongue!