Why is it that some missing children/people get more media overage than others?

Question

It seems so unfair that other people do not get the same coverage as others. Surely they should all get the same amount of coverage.

coverage not overage sorry.

lettinitbe- what is the point. You have no idea

Answer 1

I know what you mean, about a year before the terrible Holly and Jessica case, a little boy from Antrim Northern Ireland called Darren disappeared and has never been found and no one has ever been convicted and yet it was barely reported in the British media.

Answer 2

I agree. There is definately more coverage of some than others- that's obvious! Unfortunately it has got a lot to do with money and what is more interesting - a premier with all the hot stars or another sad story of the cruelness in the world!

But if there was a news report showing all the missing children/people/unsolved cases, it would be never ending! It's just a sad thing that will probably never change!

Answer 3

I think it depends on the case and the reasons for the person going missing, circumstances etc.
Sometimes the police are reluctant to release information in case it spoils their investigation. There are so many missing teenagers that the police usually give them so many hours to come home before taking action unless they are known to be in specific danger. It is difficult when adults go missing as they can legally do what they want and it only becomes public if there is suspicion of death.
I think the case in portugal attracted attention because 1) the parents wanted to help by making statements quickly 2) it was in a foreign country 3) it involved a young child 4) to give attention in other countries in case the child had been kidnapped and taken abroad.

I think it is understood that young children are more vulnerable and it is more dangerous if they go missing either by kidnapping or by wandering off.

When Jamie Bulger went missing cctv footage was released.

I think the police in this country have changed their tactics since the case with holly and jessica as new techniques have been implemented since then. The first thing they do is to check homes close to the missing person.

Answer 4

I have to agree...it's all about who you are and how much money you have, although here in the U.S.A. they have been focusing a little more on children who do not come from rich, white families.Every child needs to be looked for, but again, that's a task in itself as there just aren't enough law enforcement officers to handle all the cases. The families, friends and countless volunteers usually do the massive searches and don't quit. Unfortunately, the majority of the children are found dead or just never found. It is a shame that money talks, a young lady came up missing in my community this past fall and the law didn't jump on it fast enough. (she was poor and white, sorry, hate to label). Her body was found many months later by a hunter in the woods near a tree. She wasn't even 5 miles from home, homes close by but no-one knows a thing. If she had got the media coverage that others have had, it may not have ended for her and her family in this manner, but who knows?

Answer 5

Because some family have money to pay for the news to have it out there specially if there is a award for her...And some family just cant afford all that so just hope and pray that someone hears about there child being missing..... I feel no matter how much you put out the sitiuration is still the same I feel just having faith in the lord and not the people so much your child will be safe and will come home alive. People forget its not how much you put it out to the news and how much money, Its about how much faith you have in the lord. He gave us life and he can take it away in a blick of an eye...Fear the lord not mankind..

May they find all the children safe and sound if not at least find them to give the parents peace....

Answer 6

I think most people would agree with you on this. I wonder how many children have gone missing in the last 2 weeks that we haven't heard about? While I applaud the coverage on little Maddies case, there must be thousands of parents out there going through exactly the same thing with no help at all, and no hope of anyone hearing about it or helping them.

Answer 7

I agree to a certain extent..kids and old people are more of a risk so should have more than others. But then there are some people who get no coverage at all!!It is unfair!!

Answer 8

i dont think this is true, if a young child in this country goes missing we hear about it. Its important to remember that a lot of 'kids' that go missing are teenagers & theres evidence to suggest they have run away so they dont get the coverage that young kids that have clearly been kidnapped get

Answer 9

I do agree with you but do not think it has anything to do with class or colour it is the circumstances of this case that has the media attention ... my suggestion to you all is to e mail sky news as I have and suggest can they not do more coverage on missing children ........... but whilst we have monsters who molest children the problem will always be there we also all now need to campaign for tougher laws and sentences for these people ......

Answer 10

Might it not be to do with going missing in a foreign land? As far as I know that would make 2 children Madeleine Mc Cann and Ben Needham

Answer 11

Yes I agree , but it is because she is English and it happened abroad in a situation where the Family were on Holiday . The authorities are investigating this for reasons we may not fully understand.They have many suspicions and with good reason ,they have knowledge of the criminal undercurrents in their own country.i. e Child pornography Rings ,Pedophile Rings and Child adoption Rackets , these crimes must be stamped out.this has to solved because so many people go on holiday abroad.