Don't get me wrong, I hope and pray she is returned to her family, safe and sound, very soon. I cannot imagine what they must be going through and if there was anything I could do, here in London, I would do it.
But how is making this the headline news story every day in the UK helping the situation? And call me a cynic, but why is so much more media attention paid when the missing and/or murdered person is young, blonde and female ?
I know I'll get the usual cretins, calling me a paedophile (and spelling it wrong, and using inappropriate capitals) but I do wonder why certain victims are somehow more attractive to the media.
To reinterate, I thing this is a terrible thing, I have 3 beautiful grand daughters and would be on the floor with grief if one of them went missing. However, I have a sneaky feeling that if we were a black family and this happened to us, it would not make headline news for days on end.
What do you think ?
2007-05-12 05:31:50 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in News & Events ➔ Media & Journalism
Fluffy - What's wrong with being a white grandmother ? Does it mean I have no right to an opinion ? Since I had no choice in my race or my daughter's family planning decisions, I'm not sure what I'm being blamed for here.
2007-05-12 05:46:38 · update #1
Micky - it HAS happened. As landwish says, the disappearance of non-white children is under-reported, so you don't hear about it.
2007-05-12 21:03:23 · update #2
I agree to an extent. Its been showing on the news all day and they have also shown Portugese families who's kids went missing and were never found. I think theres a bit of bitterness because there wasnt the police resources or publicity that Maddie is generating. Its because she's British. Our media sensationalises everything. They did it with Princess Diana and with Holly and Jessica. i also agree that if it were a ethnic family there wouldnt be the same hype. I also think that there would be more condemnation for the parents if they had been single parent or young teenage parents. Also there are children going missing in all countries of the world every day. We never hear of them? If I could help I would as I have three children myself but I think the amount of publicity is just going to drive the abductors further into hiding.
2007-05-12 05:44:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The problem with answering this question is that we are not sure WHAT exactly happened - if she was actually abducted from the apartment (a theory which is not supported by proof or evidence), then yes the risk factor of actual abduction would be minescule, and even smaller if the parents had been there.... although the risk factors of other tradegies and accidents (head injuries, electrocution, falls, scalding etc) would be quite high for children of this age left alone, and would get higher with each time that the children were left due to the laws of probability. In fact it is the fact that statistical likelihood of Madeleine being stolen from the apartment is SO very small that makes it an extremely unlikely thing to have actually happened! However, if she left the apartment and was wandering the streets lost and alone then the risk factor of abduction rises - (although still not as high as the media would have us believe), as does the risk of road traffic and other accidents. However, the likelihood that she would have left the apartment in the first place if her parents had been present is probably nil. My own feeling is that Gerry didn't calculate risks at all - he did what he wanted to do without giving it any thought. He comes across as a very arrogant man (not unusual in my experience of hospital consultants) and it possibly does not cross his mind that anyone or anything would dare to interfere with the smooth running of his life and desires, including something as commonplace as one of his children daring to wake up when he wasn't there.
2016-04-01 08:08:32 · answer #2 · answered by Gail 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope Madeleine has come to no harm and will be found as soon as possible, but I do think this issue is getting a ridiculous amount of coverage from the media.
Many other people go missing from time to time, but we never hear about them, whereas Madeleine's story has remained in the headlines for some time now. Of course it must be terrible for her parents, but I don't see why her case is more important than the disappearance of any other child, no matter what sort of background or family they are from.
2007-05-12 06:18:25 · answer #3 · answered by Satel 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's being over reported per say. However, I do agree that if the child was black British, Asian British, Muslim British then there would be less media coverage. In a lot of the reports about Maddie, they always seem to mention her being 'blonde' as if it makes her tragic abduction even more tragic just because of her hair colour.
2007-05-12 05:45:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I dont agree. I dont think there can ever be too much untill she is found, however i think their should be less here then in portugal because it happened in portugal, and it doesnt really help withit here =S You cant really say that it wont get the coverage ifit was a black british, because it hasnt happened so we dont know. I think they say blonde, because its just an easy way of describing her to give more detail...
2007-05-12 09:47:00 · answer #5 · answered by micky y 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can understand your point of view,were all entitled to one after all.All I can say is that if this were one of my kids,Id want as much reporting as possible.The reporting keeps Maddie in the publics mind and might just bring a result.Everyone deserves everey chance in life,especially a child.
2007-05-12 09:50:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand where your coming from when you refer to colour or creed, but every child is precious reguardless of their ethnic origins.Like yourself my heart goes out to the family and friends of Madaline, and i pray for her safe return.The media its self is not interested entirely in Madalines case to them its just news worthy.And money is what motivates this industry not compassion. The fact that this little girl has blonde hair and blue eyes is irrelevent the overriding thing is that she has been abducted.
2007-05-12 05:50:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Oh my god....as if you have to bring race into it. The poor girl has been taken away from her family she is scared and we shud all just be hoping that she comes back soon,and safe and well. Deal with what is happening now. Not your personal issues with race etc. You all sound so self centred I really hope this never happens to you.
And why shouldnt we cover this to the full extent? If its going to help bring her home then so be it.
2007-05-12 07:44:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
I don't think she's over reported, but I do think other missing children are under reported.
2007-05-12 05:41:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
i agree with you because whoever has maddie may be paniking at what they have seen on tv and do something silly to the little girl.
2007-05-12 06:01:31 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋