How The Madeleine McCann Story Was Hijacked By Web Trolls
FROM the Anorak Forums - by AGW:
One of the most bizarre and troubling aspects of of the Madeleine McCann story has been the way the coverage of the story has itself become the story.
Anorak is not a site which has ever been (or ever will be) dedicated to the alleged crimes of abduction and subsequent claim and counter-claim of deeper, darker deeds involving in turn a resident Englishman in the Portuguese holiday complex where the McCann family had been staying and then the parents and their friends themselves.
Right at the beginning of all this I had predicted it was a complex story which would run and run. I confess to being bemused by the the tale’s longevity. The Madeline McCann story has become Dianaeque in its telling and re-telling, worse it is on a par with the empty and drifting ship the Mary Celeste.
The story of a photogenic, pretty little white girl from a professional and middle-class background was sure to attract attention.
I had always expressed serious doubts about the wisdom of the parents’ determination to avoid clear police advice and follow their own route to infamy…because that it what it has become.
The story divided neatly pro and anti. Not pro and anti the hunt for a little girl or her remains but pro and anti the parents. It has become a love-hate story. Every day in Anorak there are those who praise or condemn, support or vilify.
Professional journalists have watched with increasing bemusement, bordering on horror, at the activities of sites created and devoted exclusively to the Madeleine McCann story. They have risen, flowered and been cut down. The same individuals, only the names have been changed to protect the guilty, have in their turn raged or praised as each site flourished and then fell by the wayside.
The same experts and lost souls appeared again and again, and yet again, during the brief existence of these sites. Sometimes only the keystrokes or style and use of phrases and words revealed their true identity. They took full advantage and became legends in their own lunch-times, master spies, superheroes CyberMan or DigiWoman each using the Internet’s basic anonymity to change gender, location and re-invent themselves as brilliantly clear thinkers, defenders of the faith and public morale and morals or, very sad solicitors posing as desperate housewives.
The 3 Arguidos site is probably the strongest of the allegedly Madeleine McCann dedicated sites. I have no access to it nor seek any since it regularly appears to be an outrageous vipers nest of sad people, many of whom have had brief cyber-existences here. It has attracted an interesting group of supporters and helpers and we should genuinely wish them well. They are the Jerry Springer end of the coverage.
The McCann story can not sustain sites like this and they have to diversify. Recruitment from sites such as ours is one way of doing it.
The Moderators here at Anorak have noted a recent surge of activity as the once-again revamped team at the 3As have become our new friends. Avid letter writers to Anorak and when gently challenged, retreat to vent their spleen within their own site. We had such an incursion yesterday.
We are aware the 3As site has suffered dreadful problems lately and we sympathise but do have our own course to run.
There is always a suspicion, often borne out by later scurrilous attacks, the new best friends have their own agenda. That’s fine we all do…and I do not intend to give the 3As site any further creditability by association with us.
It is worth passing on one of the alleged solicitor types in there tried to publish our editor’s telephone number. Why? It is freely available on this site and he is more than well-equipped to be happily entertained by the odd moronic or dirty phone call.
We remain secure in the knowledge of many things but among them are:
Anorak is the leading site of its genre
It has the most experienced and competent team of Moderators
Its writers are skilled and entertaining
It is growing and constantly evolving which is a healthy thing
It is often not a comfortable place to be but remains vibrant and exciting
Imitation and jealous rages remain the sincerest forms of flattery.
…and the headline to this piece? It is often forgotten that the very next line in that quotation is:
“You ought to be ashamed of yourself”
Posted: 30th, June 2008 | In: Anorak Says, Madeleine McCann Comments (626) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
Comments
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June 30th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Anyone want a cup of tea and a jammie dodger?
June 30th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
No Sorry you don’t scare me with your threats of the national press read here. The National Press read our forum, many of them post there too. I’m not accepting your olive brancch coz I used to respect this site’s stance but now it has become a clone of all other media outlets.
If you want to join our forum then feel free and register, you may get your eyes open.
_________________
bjr known as Bren to Friends
Administrator: Olive branch to a site which delights in vilifying Anorak? Unlikely. Nor do we threateni more the the 3As ex chief moderator’s style when in close proximity to you we hear..
Right ho then I assume you’d like us to close you off in a short while.
One last post and we’ll close the door since you have nothing of value to contribute. We do not want to hear how great you are and what a simply sooper site you have. It really isn’t our style. -agw
June 30th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
You don’t mean chenier ……. der der der der ….
Nbrado?!?!?!
June 30th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
How is reporting and giving opinions on what the media write, ‘cow towing’ to that media?
June 30th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
192
BJR Says:
June 30th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
We didn’t send out begging mails. That was most likely some of your idiot members who havehijacked our database. This place used to be a welcome refuge from the crap that is the tabloids but now I think your Editor has had a few bungs maybe?
——————————–
Since the real BJR on 3As stated categorically that the database had been taken by the former site admin, you are either not the real BJR or you are the real BJR and are lying about it.
Either way you are lying…
June 30th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
BJR said
I don’t see your site getting exclusives like Robert Murat posting on it, do you? I think the jealousy what you talk about is on your side of the fence. We have 4500 members and 9000 visitors a day.
And I don’t expect you will publish this, now you have gone all Pro McCann on us.
Hypokrits!
Administrator: I sincerely this is a spoof posting. If it is not it would appear that bjr is not in control or understand what has been happening with her own site. It also shows a lack of understanding of the article above. Anorak is neither pro or anti McCann the very descriptions are offensive to us.
I will not get into debate here but it is clear there are those within the 3As who are hell bent on mischief in here. We have no fight with either the concept or the survival of the 3As but we do weary of the nonsenical tolerance and bandwidth devoted to posters who have been given their own Anorak bitching section in the 3As. What bjr does not realise is there is no such thing as bad publicity. It’s all publicity and the 3As gets very little here. We get massive publicity over there and it’s all free. Thank you very much.
It’s simple innit?
I repeat we have no grudge match with the other site. It does a different job. We are better bigger and have more hits…that’s fact and to be honest we don’t see it changing.
Keep the idiots under control and there is no need to come bleating to us here.
If you allow the sort of thing which has gone on to continue then expect more. The national press read this. They’d love to get their teeth into the 3 Arguidos website. It ain’t us on thin ice.
I repeat I will not enter a discussion. My article at the head of this this stands as a professionally written and researched item. It is just the 3As bad luck we are pros and enough is enough.
If this in a geniune post from the bjr of the 3As may I extend a warm and I hope it is clearly understood a generous welcome. If you wish to discuss aspects of our relationship and the fact many of your Moderators (past and very much present) are attempting to be contributors here them please do e-mail
editor @anorak.co.uk or:
alan@anorak.co.uk
June 30th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Anorak also reports on anything and everything in the media …. and bloody Ronaldo
June 30th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Brandon, let me in!
June 30th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
MrsT it is (suppsoed to be) that simple
June 30th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Listen we don’t cow tow to the media, we know the truth and if you come to our forum that’s what you get. If you come to Anorak you had better bring one coz it’s pissing down here.
_________________
To my critics
When I’m in a sober mood, I worry, work and think,
When I’m in a drunken mood, I gamble, play and drink,
But when my moods are over and my time has come to pass,
I hope I’m buried upside down, so the world may kiss my ar*e
————–
bjr known as Bren to Friends
June 30th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Anorak is not a Forum for Madeleine McCann.
Anorak reports on what the tabloids and news sites are reporting about the McCann saga and asks us to give our opinions on that.
Simple really.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I am going to slam the door and play loud music
June 30th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
BJR, don’t you th ink that “[3 As is the] Only place for truth on Madeliene on the net.” is a bit misleading? Surely you mean that it is the only place for your version of the truth.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
We didn’t send out begging mails. That was most likely some of your idiot members who havehijacked our database. This place used to be a welcome refuge from the crap that is the tabloids but now I think your Editor has had a few bungs maybe?
http://www.the3arguidos.net
Only place for truth on Madeliene on the net.
Mods and Admin
Be very cautious here sweetie, we never send out begging mails. And what on earth would we need your database for?
We debate the MM issues, along with many many other topics, and how long have you been around a few weeks? When its 13 years come back and tell us how to run a site
June 30th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
God now I know how my kids sometimes feel
June 30th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Oh, I see there’s a premiere right now. That is more interesting anyway.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
182
So, BJR, has Murat explained how he knows Gerry McCann?
June 30th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
If you really believe it was Robert Murat posting on your site, you must be even much more deluded then I thought.
Site stats can be manipulated.
Besides, most of your posters ARE multiposters and imposting mods, plenty of articles about that on the Internet!
The way you behave as well as the threads you allow about Anorak makes me wonder what’s going on on the dark site.
As well as your begging mail[s]
June 30th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
181 lone pigeon Says:
” Come off it Ferdinand. You don’t need it explaining do you. I’ve said enough times on here the reasons why. I can’t believe you are actually asking me why. (…) ”
Well, I admit it was a stupid question. Or, better said, it was stupid to ask you that question now, since I have no time to engage in a debate right now. It was merely a slip of the tongue. Sorry and thank you for answering.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
fookin hell I only asked who Margaret was
June 30th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
So why has nobody told me that Anorak is solely devoted to the McCann saga?
Oh look - up there
ANORAK - Breaking Media, Politicians and Celebrities since 1995
ANORAK - Keeping Tabs on the Tabloids.
M and A
Mrs T
According to us we are a media discussion forum, and have been since t’internet began. I’ve been a poster on Anorak since 2003, so has C&C, Cheryl,Duncan, AGw, loads of us, the forum drunks.
Oh wait a tick we drink too……
June 30th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
We had pat browne the criminal profiler once or twice. That reminds me to see if shes had any more observations lately.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
aye??
June 30th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I don’t see your site getting exclusives like Robert Murat posting on it, do you? I think the jealousy what you talk about is on your side of the fence. We have 4500 members and 9000 visitors a day.
And I don’t expect you will publish this, now you have gone all Pro McCann on us.
Hypokrits!
Administrator: I sincerely this is a spoof posting. If it is not it would appear that bjr is not in control or understand what has been happening with her own site. I It also shows a lack of understanding of the article above. Anorak is neither pro or anti McCann the very descriptions are offensive to us.
I will not get into debate here but it is clear there are those within the 3As who are hell bent on mischief in here. We have no fight with either the concept or the survival of the 3As but we do weary of the nonsenical tolerance and bandwidth devoted to posters who have been given their own Anorak bitching section in the 3As. What bjr does not realise is there is no such thing as bad publicity. It’s all publicity and the 3As gets very little here. We get massive publicity over there and it’s all free. Thank you very much.
It’s simple innit?
I repeat we have no grudge match with the other site. It does a different job. Ww are better bigger and have more hits…that’s fact and to be honest we don’t see it changing.
Keep the idiots under control and there is no need to come bleating to us here.
If you allow the sort of thing which has gone on to continue then expect more. The national press read this. They’d love to get their teeth into the 3 Arguidos website. It ain’t us on thin ice.
I repeat I will not enter a discussion of this. My article at the head of this this stands as a professionally written and researched item. It is just the 3As bad luck we are pros and enough is enough.
If this in a geniune post from the bjr of the 3As may I extend a warm and I hope it is clearly understood a generous welcome. If you wish to discuss aspects of our relationship and the fact many of your Moderatpors (past and very much present) are attempting to be contributors here them please do e-mail
editor @anonorak.co.uk or:
alan@anorak.co.uk
We will respond -agw
June 30th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
172
Ferdinand Says:
June 30th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
144 lone pigeon Says:
” I believe that they are responsible for their childs disapearance because of the choices they made that night, don’t you? ”
Why do you think so?
Come off it Ferdinand. You don’t need it explaining do you. I’ve said enough times on here the reasons why. I can’t believe you are actually asking me why. If we take their version of events and their stopry of an abduction do you honestly believe that if they were all locked up safe and sound in their apartment and that mummy and daddy was up enjoying each others compnay whilst the cherished little ones snuggled up in bed that the bogey man was going to skeleton pick the lock, creep by mummy and daddy, wrap up the oldest child in a blankey without a peep or sound and creep back out again under the cover of darkness without the parents noticing at all?
June 30th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
please I have just eaten
June 30th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
72
Melanie Says:
June 30th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
I think Carmen and BRandon got it right between them. He’s a red helmet in bottom
————-
Do you think they enjoyed it?
Gandy
” ………….they can hang out with all the boys……….” Gorra larf!
June 30th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
27
coolandcalm Says:
June 30th, 2008 at 9:30 am
As Madeleine is a ward of court and a minor and it is ‘the court’ asking for the information from the Leicester Police on her behalf it will all be in private.
—————————————
That was a delightful non-sequitor based on an unfounded assumption; I can only assume that all the time C&C spent hanging around police stations must have been prior to the introduction of the FOI legislation. Of course, C&C provides no evidence of any kind to support her claims; business as usual in that respect.
The Family Court cannot override specific legislation, particularly specific legislation enacted very recently. The legislature gets very shirty about that sort of thing. The Court could make an application under the Act as Madeleine’s guardian, but it cannot override the content of the Act itself. And the content of the Act itself looks like unpromising territory…
Nor can it force Interpol to divulge information provided to it; Interpol gets very shirty about things like that.
And since Clarrie chose to comment on the hearing to the Press, presumably with the McCanns approval, it may well be that the Judgement will be provided in whole or part by the Family Court. I shall be keeping a weather eye on Bailii…
June 30th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Melanie
June 30th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
stevet
Yes it was painful to watch, but strangely satisfying