Some time ago, a young, a fair haired girl of middle class parents, doctors for parents, handsome and from the South East of the UK, was abducted.

Recently, a young girl, dark haired of working class parents, mother having several children from differing fathers, family stated as dysfunctional, was abducted.

( All of the above terms from the media )

One family receives enormous publicity, monetary injections, celebrity appeals, the other, strikingly little.

I have two questions:

1. Before yesterday, which abducted child's name could you remember?

2. Do you think it is prejudicial/racist that people make a connection with one type of situation or make certain conclusions, or familiarity with a situation, from a picture that is drawn predominately from the media?

Situations can be drawn from any walk of life, in any country, from any culture, so anybody can have a view.

Any thoughts?

Moss

madeleine is the first one of course.

to the second question, quite simply: Yes.

People, in the main, are educate3d to become sheep. We read the morning papers because that's what people do. We watch the news because that's what people do.

On a side note: Both of these activities induce a quiet desperation in people, as none of the news is particularly cheerful. But then "quiet desperation is the English way". That's why I generally avoid papers/news.

The Madeline family ( Stowe? edit: McCann of course,) had lots of money and probably journalistic connections. The other family did not.

Which kid are the cops spending more energy on?

Ha.

madeleine is the first one of course.

Yes it is.

to the second question, quite simply: Yes.

I would suggest not all

People, in the main, are educate3d to become sheep. We read the morning papers because that's what people do. We watch the news because that's what people do.

But I understand your view point.

The Madeline family had lots of money and probably journalistic connections. The other family did not.

I am not sure they had lots of money, affluent maybe, but nothing like what financed the campaign, this came from public donations and the activities of the Media and celebrities, all of which has been lacking in the alternative case I have put forward.

I believe it is down to aesthetic values people have, probably subliminal, certainly sub conscience in many cases, but I wonder how much is down to good old prejuduice.

Fair Haired/Dark Haired-- South v North-- good established career/working class, Attractive/ not so attractive.

Which kid are the cops spending more energy on?

There is no question that the Police are putting in the time and effort, but in the Madeline case, it was abroad.

Moss

Moss my friend, you post some fantastic threads. I am in full agreement with you that some people will automatically get more coverage for their woes.

However, I don't think it's always for 'bad' reasons. Not a good comparison this, but take the recent bad weather that affected down 'south', we 'up north' were bombarded with news about how tough things were for all those involved. Nothing short of a nuclear disaster would merit that much coverage if it happened north of Birmingham. It used to bother me, now I just put it down to other reasons. And you know what? Sometimes it's just population density.

On the subject of 'class' most upper class people will have more contacts that will make a difference.

So like it or not, we are all prejudicial!

However, I don't think it's always for 'bad' reasons. Not a good comparison this, but take the recent bad weather that affected down 'south', we 'up north' were bombarded with news about how tough things were for all those involved. Nothing short of a nuclear disaster would merit that much coverage if it happened north of Birmingham. It used to bother me, now I just put it down to other reasons. And you know what?

Nah it's cos all them darn sarf are wusses and big girls' blouses

However, I don't think it's always for 'bad' reasons. Not a good comparison this, but take the recent bad weather that affected down 'south', we 'up north' were bombarded with news about how tough things were for all those involved. Nothing short of a nuclear disaster would merit that much coverage if it happened north of Birmingham. It used to bother me, now I just put it down to other reasons. And you know what?

Nah it's cos all them darn sarf are wusses and big girls' blouses

Well at least that bit's true!

Interesting.

I think Kayo has hit the mark. The Police be they Portuguese or Brit, will have busted a gut to find both children. Cops take missing children to heart and no stone would have been left unturned. However, unless you were in situ or a family member, you would have to rely on media coverage for the extent of your knowledge.

Pretty kid, pretty parents, sell papers or get viewers to turn to your station. With this a certainty, have we as a society turned tragedy into an entertainment event, with the players in the tragedy only gaining stardom if they fill the " star role " ???

Some time ago, a young, a fair haired girl of middle class parents, doctors for parents, handsome and from the South East of the UK, was abducted.

Recently, a young girl, dark haired of working class parents, mother having several children from differing fathers, family stated as dysfunctional, was abducted.

( All of the above terms from the media )

One family receives enormous publicity, monetary injections, celebrity appeals, the other, strikingly little.

I have two questions:

1. Before yesterday, which abducted child's name could you remember?

2. Do you think it is prejudicial/racist that people make a connection with one type of situation or make certain conclusions, or familiarity with a situation, from a picture that is drawn predominately from the media?

Situations can be drawn from any walk of life, in any country, from any culture, so anybody can have a view.

Any thoughts?

Moss

Had the same thing happen a few years ago over here. Young white girl missing whole city is on alert and looking, police find her dead and raped and catch the man no time flat big trail, so on, right.

Four black women with the heads cut off shoved in oil barrels get a five minute mention on the news and nobody to date has figured out who killed them.

Nah, no racism in American.

Is it us (he general public) or is it the view of the media reporters?

As stated above, there is a decision made as to what will sell the paper / attract the viewer.

But if given the choice of news, what would the majority turn to?

With the vast spread of blogging and such Internet communications, many people now have the opportunity to pick the news that interests them. Should there be a system of monitoring such 'hits'? That is, of all the news out there in cyberspace, could someone analyse which items get a series of views of more than ten seconds (so some interest) and what the content of the item is? I am sure Google could, with their advertising algorhythms (that don't look right?).

I also get the distinct feeling that, in the McCann case, the parents make a lot of fuss to almost distract us from their own shortcomings. There's this huge effort to portray them as loving, caring parents; the perfect family. I just could never buy it. I was always waiting for someone to ask them the big question i.e. "What the <deleted> were you doing, leaving them alone in the first place?" Perhaps I missed something, I don't know. But there was a babysitting service at their resort and they couldn't be bothered.

Sorry to rant but I don't feel sorry for the McCanns. I feel desperately sorry for Madeleine, or any child that is abducted, but her parents? No.

If it was me in this position, i know which parent i would prefer to be now. No matter what the size of coverage, the McCanns are still without their daughter.

On the subject of 'class' most upper class people will have more contacts that will make a difference.

So like it or not, we are all prejudicial!

I think we are all prejudicial to a point, no matter how we try and defend, ignore or bluster, I sometimes feel bad that I can always remember Madeline McCanns name, but not always Shannon Matthews.

As for having contacts, I don't think this is prejudicial, I would like to think we would all use, 'any means necessary', to find any missing girl, black, white, Northern, Southern, middle class or working class.

Nah it's cos all them darn sarf are wusses and big girls' blouses

The Big Girls Blouses are generally working, ' Off Shore', and not determined by the southern demarcation

Is it us (he general public) or is it the view of the media reporters?

As stated above, there is a decision made as to what will sell the paper / attract the viewer.

But if given the choice of news, what would the majority turn to?

Yes, exactly right, I feel people tend to have more empathy with a fair haired pretty girl, but for celebrities to infuse large amounts of money and ignore another, just as important case, is abject prejudice in the extreme.

Moss

I was always waiting for someone to ask them the big question i.e. "What the <deleted> were you doing, leaving them alone in the first place?" Perhaps I missed something, I don't know.

I too, could never understand why this question was never asked, just look at the difference in attitude to the Matthews case, Social Services are involved and only a small amount of contact allowed with the mother and a lot of emphasis on how partners the mother has had.

If it was me in this position, i know which parent i would prefer to be now. No matter what the size of coverage, the McCanns are still without their daughter.

Yup, no disagreement there, Mr Boj.

Moss

Didn't they find Shannon?

Wasn't she the girl they found the other day, who had been "hiding" -against her will - in her step-father's Uncle's house or something?

Yes.

He would appear to have been charged with Kidnapping and False Imprisonment

Moss

Do you think it is prejudicial/racist that people make a connection with one type of situation or make certain conclusions, or familiarity with a situation, from a picture that is drawn predominately from the media?

Although I think this is a valid question, I think the question does not apply in this sitaution. The police in every case will (racist police is another thread) work their resources to best effect, this will include using the media to generate leads and gather eyewitness reports from sources other than those availible to the police attending the scene of the incident. The media are happy to play along as it allows them to play a role in the case and keep close contact with the police for "news", the news is the life blood of the media not the case itself.

I might suggest that the family of the girl on holiday in Portugal were more media aware than the other case mentioned, I am not aware of the second case. Playing the game with the media by providing interviews, photos and background information to work the media to their benifit keeping the story in public eye. The flip side of this is that when a publication (I've seen the English newspapers carry this story a lot.) follow a single case like a cash cow they are less able to make room for a second similar story while they are still writting about the first unless there is a similar theme they can then make more news copy from.

The press in particular like a good long running serial killer case, there is the drama of new leads and speculation that writters can spin out every day to encourage people to buy the paper. Like the Maryland sniper a few years ago.

Is the question more about the media?

I think its undoubtedly about the media, but remember the media play to societies prejudices too. They know which buttons to press to sell papers.

The Maddie case has to be just about the longest running story in the tabloids history. In fact I think its quite unique, consider how many kids get abducted every year, and then how many of these stories are we still reading about today?

One.

This article hits the nail on the head Perspective Lost

She has been missing for almost a year now. The parents have done a remarkable job at keeping the global media's spotlight on their child's case.

But yes like other's have said, I can not understand how they could have left her alone in the first place, but also can not imagine how they must have tortured their minds over this.

consider how many kids get abducted every year, and then how many of these stories are we still reading about today?

Your quite right QS,

Maddie has had huge press and Shannon has had good press. Many, many children and parents get no press.

From a parliamentary paper:-

Every year in the United Kingdom, more than 100,000 children go missing from home or care. Most of them return home safely, but research by the Children’s Society indicates that about 10,000 children every year are hurt or harmed while they are missing. Many thousands of those children are running away to escape abuse in the first place; they have no safe home to return to. Some children are hurt very severely while they are away and suffer lifelong consequences. Vulnerable children on their own are targeted by predatory adults. Evidence from police and children’s charities has identified children drawn into prostitution, trafficked or groomed into drug-running by adults who pretend friendship. Some children disappear without trace. Police estimate that about 50 children every year die or are killed while they are missing; that is a child death each week that could be prevented.

Continued here:- http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/c.../80109-0004.htm

What about the 3000 ( yep 3000 ) Asian girls that go missing from the UK school system every year ?

Try keeping your squeeky clean " white " child at home and whammo court and jail may follow. If your child is South Asian and you have forcefully removed her from the country to marry someone she has never met and forced to live in a culture she has never experienced, not a dam_n thing happens, too racially sensitive.

Disgrace.

On reading the last four posts, all of which contain points of merit. one comment stands out for me......

Is the question more about the media?

To which the answer is, yes it is..... 'the media' have been controlling our opinions/prejudices for decades.... from the days of cowboy with white hat = good and cowboy with black hat = bad.......

Actually no, I just used the word controlling, when I should have said fuelling.

I remember watching a documentary years ago, were a sample of young kids were shown pictures of other kids they didn't know and they had to rate them on how much they would like them to be a friend..... the pretty blonde blue eyed girl ranked top choice every time with all of them.

These children were aged around five years old, is that old enough to be already influenced or not, and even if it is influenced is it not then just perpetuated by the media.

Some time ago, a young, a fair haired girl ....from the South East of the UK, was abducted.

Isn't it Leicester where the family lives? That's hardly South East. Also, of the parents, one is a Scot and the other a Scouser, so, again, hardly South East.

Where as I don't necessarily disagree with your postulation, I don't see such issues dividing upon geographical lines.

Scouse.

PS. You trolling again, Moss?

Some time ago, a young, a fair haired girl ....from the South East of the UK, was abducted.

Where as I don't necessarily disagree with your postulation, I don't see such issues dividing upon geographical lines.

Scouse.

Isn't it Leicester where the family lives? That's hardly South East. Also, of the parents, one is a Scot and the other a Scouser, so, again, hardly South East.

OK, OK, perhaps a flaw in this particular instance, but only a chink of light I'd say, the main points stated were varied and included

a young, a fair haired girl of middle class parents, doctors for parents, handsome and from the South East of the UK, was abducted.

Recently, a young girl, dark haired of working class parents, mother having several children from differing fathers, family stated as dysfunctional,

Moss

PS. You trolling again, Moss?

Now that is going to cost you a Pint

Moss

What a turn up for the Books.

Shannon and Robert Murat

You really couldn't make it up.

Moss

And again today:

Robert Murat

Serves the bastards right. They ruin people's life without any compunction at all.

What a turn up for the Books.

Shannon and Robert Murat

You really couldn't make it up.

Moss

You're right there Moss, you couldn't. The news in the UK at the mo is depressing...

I think its undoubtedly about the media, but remember the media play to societies prejudices too. They know which buttons to press to sell papers.

The Maddie case has to be just about the longest running story in the tabloids history. In fact I think its quite unique, consider how many kids get abducted every year, and then how many of these stories are we still reading about today?

One.

This article hits the nail on the head Perspective Lost

She has been missing for almost a year now. The parents have done a remarkable job at keeping the global media's spotlight on their child's case.

But yes like other's have said, I can not understand how they could have left her alone in the first place, but also can not imagine how they must have tortured their minds over this.

And still the story goes on.

Sorry, Moss, but this gets up my nose.

I may be reading the situation wrongly, but having a hardback for sale at 20 quid looks to me like a profit venture.

If it had on the blurb somewhere that all money after recovering basic costs was funding either a search for Madeleine or a support-system for future abduction cases, then I'd have a different view.

But paying out twenty quid on this, after three years of media reporting, just don't seem right.

And I have a lovely little 2 1/2 year-old of my own that I would go completely berserk about, if anything happened to her. But then I wouldn't have left her alone while I went out to dinner, nor did I with my elder daughter. (Although she was definitely difficult at the dinner table). It is the parents duty to protect and raise children to the best of their ability - and I thought this couple would have had a lot of ability. I realise that this was a holiday, that it was probably a warm and pleasant evening to stroll out on your own and have a nice dinner. But for me it was (and is with my current daughter) much nicer to have the whole family along.

But that's just me.

There is a sticker on the book that states ' all royaties donated to Madelines fund'.

Royalties can mean many things

I feel for them - but seeing their sad, puppy faces on the TV again and again seems to me a bit plastic. Especially when Kate's book came out on Maddie's birthday.

Don't get me wrong, I would love it if Maddie was reunited with her family. They just seem to have gone a bit overboard with the whole thing. There are loads of other missing children who don't have the resources or publicity that this family seem to have.

Perhaps i shouldn't have said what i said above.

On the other hand, when i was a kid on holiday. My parents would leave me in the apartment to sleep within earshot. Without qualms, or worries.