Lianne Smith: The Madeleine McCann Factor

LIANNE Smith: Can the deaths of Rebecca and Daniel Smith be linked to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann?

Herald:

The judge overseeing the investigation has ruled that it should be conducted in secret. It follows the criticism attached to the publicity that surrounded leaks by the Portuguese police investigation into disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

The judge is media savvy. Channel 4 has questions:

Have media learned lessons from Madeleine’s case?

…media lawyer Duncan Lamont writes for Channel 4 News about how the legal systems differ in the way they investigate such crimes – and how the media reports them.”

There are no lessons to be learnt. Libel laws have not altered. The media’s job is to show not tell.

But already we have the speculation: Lianne Smith: What The Nanny Didn’t See

And the trial done and dusted: Lianne Smith: Martin Smith, Paedo, Ghosts And Blaming The Police.

Says the expert:

A tragedy has occurred but inevitably there is now going to be a focus on the quality of the Spanish criminal investigation, the human rights of those involved (the deceased as well as the defendant mother) and how the local media and British press behave.

Put bluntly, have any lessons been learned from the coverage of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in Portugal three years ago?

Yes – the media lesson is that Madeleine McCann can be linked to pretty much any story. She is the benchmark for missing children – and now ones suspected of being murdered, too.

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A police car leaves the police station in Blanes, Spain, where Lianne Smith is being held. The British woman, whose two children were found dead in a Spanish hotel room, will appear in court this morning.

Anorak

Posted: 21st, May 2010 | In: Reviews Comment (1) | TrackBack | Permalink