Why is there so much talk about that missing girl in Portugal?

Question

I live in Australia and for some reason it receives a fair amount of news coverage. I'm guessing it is the same in the States.

Answer 1

Not so much in Canada. it's starting now though. maybe because Australia's media is more influenced by UK media.

Answer 2

Momblessedx5, they actually have a journalism term for it... it is called Missing White Woman Syndrome. It goes on the philosophy that white women of the upper and middle class will get more press coverage than other ethnic groups. More press coverage than men of any ethnic group and more press coverage than poor people regardless of race. She fits perfectly into this criteria. A perfect example was the Natalee Holloway case...around the time she went missing so did a black girl, whose name I can't even remember... that goes to show the difference in press coverage.

Answer 3

I'd guess its b'cos the circumstances under which she went missing. Her parents left her & twins younger than her unattended & went out for dinner. Terrible decision with terrible consequences. I believe they are doing their best, in ways they believe are best, to get her back & part of this is the massive media coverage. As a result, Madeleine sweet little face has touched the hearts millions worldwide & has also created awareness for the entire issue of missing children. I do hope she will be found safe & soon.

Answer 4

Because it sells newspapers and attracts viewers to TV stations. If it was a black girl with poor parents who had gone missing in a bad part of town, it wouldn't be news at all.

Answer 5

Is a shame poor kids who get kidnapped under far different circumstances, meaning the parents didnt leave them unsupervised for hours and hours, don't get this kind of attention when they are kidnapped.