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Madeleine McCann: The Tabloid Dog Pack, Kate McCann’s Diary And Shannon Matthews
MADDIE WATCH – Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann, Kate McCann, Gerry McCann and Robert Murat
PRESS GAZETTE: “Furious lawyer attacks tabloids’ ‘pack-dog’ mentality over stories”
Read all about it in the Star, Sun, Mirror etc.
Louis Charalambous represented Robert Murat in his libel action against eleven tabloid newspapers. Two other claimants in the same case, Sergey Malinka and Michaela Walczuch, were awarded apologies and a “substantial six-figure settlement”.
Charalambous tells the Press Gazette:
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Posted: 28th, July 2008 | In: Broadsheets, Madeleine McCann, Tabloids Comments (325)
Madeleine McCann: Shannon Matthews, Entertainment And Mr Cheese
MADDIE WATCH – Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann
Madeleine McCann is missing front the front pages. She now only appears in the media in the context of Ben Affleck’s film Gone Baby Gone, a work of fiction based on a work of fiction.
SPIKED ONLINE: Gone, Baby, Gone: who’s fit to be a parent?
With echoes of recent high-profile child abductions, Ben Affleck’s crime drama poses a very modern moral dilemma.
And a cracking night out at the cinema?
I remember when I heard Shannon Matthews had been found alive.
Shannon Matthews?
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Posted: 13th, June 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (463)
Shannon Matthews: Fags, Lags And Craig Meehan
THE Sun says that a “tobacco bounty” has been placed on Craig Meehan’s head, “stepdad” No. 349831b to Shannon Matthews.
The reward for beating up Meehan is, reportedly, ten ounces of “prison baccy – worth about £8.”
Meehan is worth much more than Karen Matthews, whose head commands the princely sum of ten Lambert & Butler fags.
Says a source at Armley jail, Leeds: “Tobacco is a precious commodity inside. There are people who will do anything to get it, including attacking other inmates.”
The tabloids are fond of publishing insights into life behind bars, a polarised place where prisoners are either sipping cocktails in cushy cells or sat 32 to a cell, injecting pureed rats and listening to Tannoy broadcasts of “Conversations With Sir Cliff – Musing On Life, Jesus and Tennis”.
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Posted: 23rd, May 2008 | In: Reviews, Tabloids Comments (10)
Shannon Matthews: Karen Matthews Writes And Little Miss Trouble
DAILY MIRROR: “Exclusive: Shannon Matthews’ mum sends desperate letter to parents begging ‘Help me’”
It’s Karen Matthews. It’s her “desperate letter”, “her “emotional letter” from jail to her mum June and dad Gordon.
It’s front-page news, along with the paper’s offer for a free copy of Little Miss Trouble, a book.
“Dear Mum and Dad, I am writing this letter to let you know I am OK, I hope you and dad are fine. I miss you both so much. I just wish I would have listened to you about him, but I didn’t. I am really sorry. You both warned me.”
She can spell, can Karen Matthews. But who is him? Who he?
“I did not hurt any of the kids. You know I was a good mother to my kids until I got with him.”
Him?
Him is Craig Meehan, Little Mr Trouble.
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Posted: 18th, May 2008 | In: Reviews, Tabloids Comments (15)
Madeleine McCann: McCanns Cleared, Shannon Matthews Fund And The Maddy Card
MADDIE WATCH – Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann and Shannon Matthews
DAILY MIRROR: “McCANNS ‘IN CLEAR’”
Kate and Gerry McCann will be formally cleared as suspects in daughter Madeleine’s disappearance by August, their lawyer said yesterday.
Fact. Now the Portuguese police can find Madeleine? And the McCanns can return to Portugal.
Rogerio Alves said detectives in Portugal had finally admitted they have no evidence against the couple and were preparing to lift their arguido status. But he also warned the move could signal the end of the year-long hunt for the four-year-old.
But the Portuguese police are useless, right? And the McCanns have Metodo 3?
But McCann spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: “We don’t want the case to remain unsolved.”
DAILY MAIL: “McCanns’ status as suspects in Madeleine’s disappearance ‘will be lifted by August’”
This August. Fact.
Says Rogerio Alves: “I believe that by August the police will close the case and lift arguido status. I believe it is a very strong possibility.”
Believe. Possibility. Fact.
ROUNDTOWNNEWS (Spain): “Mass of Balloons for Madeleine”
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Posted: 10th, May 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann, Tabloids Comments (329)
Shannon Matthews: Michael Donovan Looks A Picture
SHANNON Watch: Anorak’s look at the case of Shannon Matthews in the mediaWANT to see a picture of Michael Donovan, the “bug-eyed man” who “snatched Shannon Matthews”?
The Sun has the image of the man who, on closer examination, is only “accused” of kidnapping the girl.
Says a “family friend”: “No one bothered taking pictures of him. He’s a bit of a loner and he is not one of the most photogenic of people.”
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Posted: 30th, April 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann, Reviews, Tabloids Comments (6)
Shannon Matthews: The Missing Thousands And Karen Matthews’ TV Vigil
SHANNON WATCH – Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Shannon Matthews
DAILY STAR (front page): “SHANNON’S £10K AID VANISHES”Police “want to know what happened to up to £10,000 said to have been donated by the public to help find the nine-year-old. Neighbours desperate to help stuffed cash through the letterbox of the council house Shannon shared with mum Karen Matthews, 32, and stepdad Craig Meehan, 22.
“A family pal said “through the door” donations totalled £6,000. Up to £3,000 also flooded into the Shannon Matthews Fund.
£6,000 plus £3,000 equals…
Roger O’Doherty, neighbourhood manager of local community group Dewsbury West Pathfinder, says the family had not received “as much as a ha’penny’’ from the official fund he had set up. Says he: “I can’t say precisely how much is in the fund but I think it is around £2,000. We were in the process of applying for charitable status which would have meant it would have been administered by trustees. I wasn’t one of them.
£6,000 plus £2,000 equals…
“As far as I am concerned now all the money will go towards helping the children and families living nearby, which was one of the original aims.”
THE SUN: “Inmates terrify Shannon mum”
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Posted: 23rd, April 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann, Reviews, Tabloids Comments (20)
Shannon Matthews: Michael Donovan’s Tracksuit And John Guant Passes Judgement
SHANNON WATCH – Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Shannon Matthews
THE SUN: “Cops quiz Shannon suspects for 7 hours”
Mike Donovan, the man accused of abducting and imprisoning Shannon Matthews was questioned by police for seven hours.
Any other facts?
Donovan, Meehan’s uncle, was taken to Huddersfield police station, West Yorks, from Doncaster jail. He was smuggled in and out under a blue coat, but could be seen wearing purple tracksuit bottoms and blue and white trainers.
What of Karen Matthews? Any more facts?
Matthews — a mother of seven by five fathers — is charged with perverting justice by concealing her whereabouts, and child neglect.
JON GAUNT: “KAREN’S IN A CLASS OF HER OWN”
“Karen Matthews isn’t and doesn’t represent the white working class.”
Phew! She’s no Lily Allen.
“The clue is the title ‘working’ she and her ilk have no intention of ever working – they just want to leech off the sweat of the rest of us.”
Can’t think of anyone who wants to drink Gaunty’s sweat as he burns calories over a keyboard? That question to humans and leeches. And didn’t Craig Meehan work as a fishmonger in a supermarket?
Undaunted by fact, Gaunt goes on:
“She may be shameless but the rest of us aren’t blameless, as we have allowed the Guardianistas to create new Britain where we are no longer allowed to be judgemental.”
But Gaunt is all about being judgmental. He is allowed to be judgemental, and in the national press of all places. But undaunted by contradicting himself, Gaunt goes on:
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Posted: 18th, April 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann, Reviews, Tabloids Comments (17)
Shannon Matthews: Karen Matthews’ Hair, Donovan’s Lair And Indira Swann
SHANNON WATCH – Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Shannon Matthews
DAILY MIRROR (front page): “SHANNON’S HIDEAWAY”
A look at the room at Michael Donovan’s flat where Shannon Matthews lived in secret for 24 days.
Pages 4 and 5: “The dirty flat that was Shannon’s home for 24 days”
Look at the “THREADBARE CARPETS, DIRTY WALLS, TARRY FURNITURE…” It’s a “scruffy bedroom containing cheap wooden furniture.”
Amazing! This must the be the only flat not to boast a feature wall and a wet room.
Anything else?
An electronic keyboard and, bizarrely, a glue gun lie on top of a metal framed double bunk. Underneath there is a CD by Busted, one of Shannon’s favourite bands, and a leaflet giving details of a range of Sold Out action PC games.
Near a smoke alarm case there is a copy of Arrive Alive, a colourful highway code book for youngsters. The booklet gives children tips about planning their journeys. Ironically, it also tells how to make sure they know where they are going and recommends that they always choose the safest route.
“’LIES’ MUM IN COURT” – “Judge Peter Collier told her she will stand trial on November 11 alongside Michael Donovan, 39, who is charged with kidnapping and false imprisonment.”
DAILY STAR (front page): “SHANNON SECRET KIDNAP CELLS REVEALED”
Pages 4 and 5: “SHANNON’S SECRET LAIR”. It’s an “EXCLUSIVE” (see Mirror).
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Posted: 17th, April 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann, Reviews, Tabloids Comments (6)
Shannon Matthews: Benefit Fraud And Karen Matthews’ Life For Ten Lag’s Fags
SHANNON WATCH – Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Shannon Matthews
THE SUN: “Shannon mum’s claims shame”
Karen Matthews, 32 – accused over the abduction of her nine-year-old daughter – told officials she was looking after four of her seven children on her own.
But at the time that Shannon vanished for 24 days in February, she had been living for four years with her supermarket fishmonger boyfriend Craig Meehan, 22. He has been earning around £16,000 a year.
Meehan had bragged at the time of Shannon’s disappearance: “I earn the money. I put the food on the table.”
DAILY STAR: “PRICE ON HEAD OF SHANNON’S MUM – HANDFUL OF FAGS IS PRISON BOUNTY”
£16,000?
SHANNON Matthews’ mum was banged up on a prison’s isolation wing last night after lags put a bounty on her head – of 10 cigarettes.
The promise of the Lambert & Butler fags was enough to have most of the 442 queueing to attack Karen Matthews.
Which mega-bucks lag offered the reward?
DAILY MIRROR: “People of Shannon Matthews’ Dewsbury defend its reputation”
“It has become the town that dare not speak its name.”
Dewsburg.
People outside must shudder at the thought of living in or even visiting Dewsbury in West Yorkshire.
Dewston.
Cancel the summer holidays to Dewsbury, mother. We’ll have t’make do with Disneyland this year.
A barman said yesterday: “I’m ashamed to say I’m from Dewsbury. Now, I say I’m from Leeds instead.
It really is that bad.
Shannon Matthews: Where is she?
Posted: 12th, April 2008 | In: Broadsheets, Madeleine McCann, Reviews, Tabloids Comments (50)
Shannon Matthews Is Underbelly Porn
SHANNON Matthews comes from a big underclass family:
Why do so many appear obsessed with the Shannon Matthews case? It has been turned into a public exhibition of prole porn, where respectable folk can get a thrilling glimpse of society’s “dark underbelly” – and without scouring the internet.
Better than EastEnders…
Posted: 11th, April 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann, Reviews Comments (15)
Shannon Matthews: Three More Family Arrested
SHANNON WATCH – Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Shannon Matthews
YORKSHIRE EVENING POST: “Shannon Matthews: Three arrested”
THREE members of Shannon Matthews’s extended family were arrested by detectives investigating the nine-year-old’s alleged abduction.
Three more. Is there room in station for them all? Might be cheaper to just turn it into a gated estate?
Amanda Hyett, 25, her sister Caroline Meehan, 29, and their mother Alice Meehan, 49, were all held on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
The three women were questioned at Dewsbury police station.
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Posted: 10th, April 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (5)
Shannon Matthews And Mum Karen Matthews On The Blogs
SHANNON Matthews on the blogs. Today’s update here:
What’s happening in the world?
I hope and pray that what we all have suspected about the Shannon Matthews abduction won’t turn out to be true but I fear it will. It’s a shockingly chilling story of greed and deceit one which I feel sure will reveal many other aspects …
THREE O’CLOCK THOUGHTS – http://threeoclockbears.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Close of day
The first concerns the abduction of Shannon Matthews, the 9-year old girl. She went missing Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, but was found at her stepfather’s uncle’s house 24 days later. Her mother has now been formally charged with …
Northern Trip – http://journals.aol.co.uk/pharmolo/NorthernTrip/
the plot thickens
You’ll recall I said there was something rather bizarre about the abduction of Shannon Matthews? Well, it seems there was, because her mother’s been arrested. I’m not really sure what to say about this, except maybe I shouldn’t say …
Untitled – http://hutch0.livejournal.com/
Shameless insight into underclass
Shannon Matthews. Could it really be that her family copied a script from Shameless to fake her abduction? Sounds too much of a tabloid dream, but this is some unbelievable family who provide a grim insight into Britain’s underclass. …
BoultonPaulDefiant – http://boultonpauldefiant.blogspot.com/ Shannon Matthews: Mother
Karen Faces Two Charges
I hope she goes to prison for a long time. What worries me the most is she will just have more kids to keep up her benefits and no one will stop her. It’s so sad when there are so many couples in this world, who can’t have kids and …
Hairy Northern Monkey’s Place – http://timpers69.multiply.com/
Shannon Matthews Mum Questioned
Shannon Matthews Mum Karen is been questioned by police. Karen apparently admitted to police that she knew where her daughter was from day one. She allegedly blurted out “I knew where she was all the time” …
Juicy UK – http://www.juicyuk.com/
Posted: 9th, April 2008 | In: Reviews Comments (8)
Shannon Matthews: Karen Matthews Arrested, Sentenced To Life In Jail And Counting The Kids
MADDYWATCH – Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Shannon Matthews
DAILY EXPRESS: “SHANNON: NOW HER MOTHER IS CHARGED WITH CHILD NEGLECT”
The mother of kidnapped schoolgirl Shannon Matthews was charged last night with perverting the course of justice and child neglect. Karen Matthews, 32, was dramatically charged after two days of questioning by detectives.
She will appear before Dewsbury Magistrates’ Court this morning. If found guilty, the mother-of-seven could face a maximum penalty of life behind bars.
Life?
DAILY TELEGRAPH: “Shannon Matthews’s mother charged by police”
The most serious charge of perverting the course of justice carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, although 10 years is the largest sentence passed in the last 100 years.
100 years?
THE TIMES: “Mother of Shannon Matthews charged with neglect”
Ms Matthews was criticised yesterday by her sister, Julie Poskitt, for apparently not knowing how many children she had. “When Shannon first went missing, Karen told everyone that she had six children,” Mrs Poskitt said. “It took her days to remember she had seven. I remember screaming at the telly, because even though I’m not their mother, I knew she had seven.”
THE SUN: “Estate is like a nastier Beirut”
One resident on Moorside Road, where Karen Matthews lived, told how cops who raided his home uncovered a stash of adult porn.
He said: “There’s nowt wrong with that. We’ve all got porn. Tell me a man who hasn’t porn in his house.”
“Shannon’s far better in care”
Anila Baig, the Sun’s sometimes-woman –in-a-hajib, is looking at the matter:
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Posted: 9th, April 2008 | In: Broadsheets, Madeleine McCann, Tabloids Comments (18)
Shannon Matthews: The McCanns, A Shameless Scam And Paul Donovan
MADDYWATCH – Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Shannon Matthews
THE STAR: “SHANNON SNATCH ‘SCAM’”
A scam? Who would have thought it?
The mum of Shannon Matthews has allegedy confessed that her daughter’s abduction was just a Shameless scam.
Sobbing Karen Matthews, 32, was arrested on suspicion of perverting justice after reportedly telling a woman detective she had known where Shannon was all along.
Shameless? Ashamed?
In an episode of the Channel 4 comedy drama Shameless, screened just four weeks before Shannon vanished, family head Frank Gallagher’s teenage daughter Debbie staged the fake kidnap of her younger brother Liam in a bid to pocket a £500,000 ransom.
“Missing” Liam – played by Johnny Bennett, nine, – was hidden by Debbie (Rebecca Ryan, 16) at a pal’s home just down the road.
Missing children are a form of entertainment.
DAILY EXPRESS: “MUM: ‘I ALWAYS KNEW WHERE SHANNON WAS’”
The mother of kidnap girl Shannon Matthews has allegedly told police: “I knew where she was, right from day one.”
And the McCanns..?
A spokesman for the McCanns confirmed they had received approaches from “people purporting to be members of Shannon’s family” for donations from the Find Madeleine Fund, but said it had been decided not to get involved.
But the McCanns did get involved.
Gerry and Kate were “deeply concerned” at the plight of Shannon’s family. Kate, 39, said: “My heart goes out to them. We always hoped and prayed that no other family would have to suffer like we have.”
And singer Leona Lewis seized the moment to make an appeal.
THE SUN: “’Family’ beg from McCanns”
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Posted: 8th, April 2008 | In: Broadsheets, Madeleine McCann, Tabloids Comments (202)
Shannon Matthews: Karen Matthews ‘Arrested’, Michael Donovan’s Suicide And A Scam
SHANNON Watch: Anorak’s look at the case of Shannon Matthews in the media
THE SUN (front page): “SHANNON SUSPECT SLASHES WRISTS”
Page 5: “There was blood everywhere.. his life was hanging by a thread”
Unconscious Mike Donovan, 39 – who also took a drugs overdose – was saved by quick- thinking prison officers who raced to give first aid as he lay in a pool of blood.
A jail source said grimly: “His life was hanging by a thread. There was blood everywhere. He would have died but for the prompt action of staff.
“It was a deadly serious suicide bid.”
“KIDNAP QUIZ GRAN’S GRIN” – Alice Meehan is the “grinning mum” of Craig Meehan. The policeman behind her is also smiling. But he is not mentioned.
“GIRL’S SNUB STUNS MUM” – Shannon would rather play with her kitten than go home. Karen Matthews is on “suicide watch”
Karen Matthews is in a secret location. Although, the police know where she is:
“Shannon’s mum Karen is nicked” – Karen Matthews, 32, was being held on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
PA NEWS: A West Yorkshire Police spokesman says: “Police investigating the alleged abduction of a nine-year-old girl have arrested a 32-year-old woman in Dewsbury on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.”
DAILY MIRROR (front page): “SHANNON ACCUSED SLITS HIS WRISTS – Warders foil suicide bid”
Shannon Matthews’ accused kidnapper Michael Donovan has slit his wrists.
What of Shannon’s family?
Fishmonger Craig is accused of possessing 130 indecent images of children on his computer. His mother Alice Meehan and sister Amanda Hyett were both arrested and freed on bail in connection with Shannon’s kidnap.
Alice, 49, Donovan’s sister, was quizzed on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. Amanda, 25, who lives next door to the house Craig shared with Shannon’s mum Karen was questioned on suspicion of assisting an offender. Karen, 32, is mother of six other children.
DAILY EXPRESS (front page): “SHANNON SUSPECT SLASHES WRISTS”
Page 9: “MAN ACCUSED OF SHANNON’S KIDNAP TRIES TO KILL HIMSELF”
Michael Donovan:
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said it was a “serious case of self harm” and that the warders who found him had acted “with great professionalism”.
A jail source said: “His condition is being assessed by a psychiatrist who will try to determine how serious a bid it was to end his life.
“He has apparently tried to claim it was more of a ‘cry for help’. But he will now be viewed as a genuine suicide risk and watched extremely closely.”
And Shannon?
During a three-hour visit on Wednesday – only the second time Karen had seen Shannon since she was found – the mother-of-seven broke down and begged her daughter to come home.
Shannon is said to have replied: “No. I don’t want to come home. I want to go back to my kitten.”
Karen’s mother, June Matthews, who is planning to launch a custody bid for Shannon, said: “During the meeting both Karen and Shannon seemed quite happy but Karen broke down when it was time for Shannon to leave and begged her to come home.
“That must have been devastating for Karen. But it is good news that Shannon is so happy.”
DAILY STAR (front page): “SHANNON SNATCH SUSPECT SLASHES WRISTS”
THE man accused of snatching little Shannon Matthews was rushed to hospital yesterday after trying to kill himself in jail.
Not big Shannon, then?
Detectives are probing claims the youngster’s “abduction” was a family scam to rake in cash after they had seen public donations pour into a fund set up to help find missing Madeleine McCann.
A scam?
Posted: 7th, April 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann, Tabloids Comments (112)
Shannon Matthews: Craig Meehan, Vigilantes And Blaming New Labour
SHANNON Watch: Anorak’s look at the case of Shannon Matthews in the media
DAILY STAR (front page): “SHANNON MUM DUMPS LOVER”
THE mum of Shannon Matthews ditched her lover yesterday as he appeared in court accused of possessing porn pictures of children as young as four. But she has now broken off her four-year relationship with the 22-year-old supermarket fishmonger, saying she “didn’t want to be part of his life”.
Karen acted after he appeared in court on 11 charges of possessing 130 indecent images of youngsters. Fourteen of the pictures were said to show adults having sex with children as young as 11. Others showed children aged just four performing sex acts.
Is Craig Meehan innocent?
Says one local: “He wouldn’t last a minute. People on this estate act first and ask questions later. He may be innocent, but these folk won’t wait for a judge and jury. They feel betrayed and are very angry.”
TIMES: “Shannon Matthews: Craig Meehan remanded in custody”
The partner of Shannon Matthews’s mother was remanded in custody charged with possessing 140 pornographic images of children on two computers.
Or 130 images? Meehan is a “supermarket fishmonger”. Such are the facts.
THE SUN: “I want nothing to do with him”
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Posted: 4th, April 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann, Tabloids Comments (79)
Shannon Matthews: Craig Meehan And Paul Donovan News Round Up
SHANNON Watch: Anorak’s look at the case of Shannon Matthews in the media
ANKIT Saha: “From my humble legal viewpoint, I find it quite startling that the Police took the action they did against Meechan. Normally the authorities operate against the issue of child porn on the level of website owners and online distributors.”
DAILY EXPRESS: “SHANNON’S STEPFATHER REMANDED”
THE stepfather of kidnapped schoolgirl Shannon Matthews was remanded in custody today after being charged with possessing child pornography.
Craig Meehan, 22, appeared at Dewsbury Magistrates Court this morning facing 11 charges of possessing 140 indecent images of children.
He will remain in police custody until April 11 when he will reappear at the court.
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Posted: 3rd, April 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann, Tabloids Comments (65)
Reporting Shannon Matthews: The Guardian’s Masterclass
THE latest twist in the tale of alleged kidnap victim nine-year-old Yorkshire schoolgirl Shannon Matthews’s caused some media headaches. The arrest and subsequent charging of the child’s “stepfather” presented an interesting set of dilemmas for the printed and broadcast media.
First prize for correct legal niceties and coverage has to go to today’s Guardian which sums up the position in a masterly piece of reporting.
It is worth repeating. It is a brilliant summary of all which may be safely said:
The stepfather of Shannon Matthews, the nine-year-old schoolgirl who disappeared for 24 days, was last night charged with 10 counts of possessing child pornography.
Craig Meehan, 22, was arrested yesterday morning at the house in Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire, which he shares with Shannon’s mother, Karen Matthews, 32, and three of her seven children.
The supermarket fishmonger was driven away in an unmarked car and detectives later took boxes and bags from the redbrick semi and renewed a police guard which was lifted a week ago.
A West Yorkshire police spokesman said last night: “A 22-year-old man has been charged with 10 specimen offences of possession of indecent images of children.
“In relation to the welfare of the family’s children, it is being dealt with by social services. Police policy is we are not commenting on the welfare of the children.”
Karen Matthews was in the house as Meehan was taken in for questioning but later left with her children on a half-term day trip with other local families.
Shannon has not returned home since police discovered her in the drawer of a bed at a flat a mile from her home. The youngster has been in the care of social services since she was discovered at the flat in Batley Carr, on March 14.
Michael Donovan, a 39-year-old computer programmer from Dewsbury who is one of Meehan’s uncles, has been charged with abducting Shannon and holding her against her will. He faces trial at Leeds crown court on November 11.
Shannon is still being questioned by police and is being looked after by Kirklees council social services. No date has been set for her return to Dewsbury Moor, where residents had planned a party.
See? Not one word of speculation. Facts and nothing but the facts.
The Guardian story is by-lined Martin Wainwright and Sarah Knapton.
That shows the importance being shown to the correct way of doing things. Martin is the Guardian’s Northern Editor, based in Leeds, and Sarah is a freelance journalist on the Guardian.
She also works as a senior court reporter for Central News based at the Old Bailey and moved to London in 2005 from the North East where she was Chief District Reporter of the Newcastle Evening Chronicle. It is difficult to imagine two safer pairs of hands.
Plus! Vetting and approval by the Guardian sub-editors’ desk…one of the best in the business.
By – AGW
Posted: 3rd, April 2008 | In: Broadsheets Comments (12)
Shannon Matthews: Stepdad Craig Meehan Arrested
SHANNON Watch: Anorak’s look at the case of Shannon Matthews in the media
YORKSHIRE EVENING POST: “Today’s development came on the day that Karen Matthews, 32, was due to have a second meeting with her daughter Shannon – who is still being looked after by a foster family.
“The YEP has been informed that Social Services bosses have spent the last few days arranging for the visit to take place – at an undisclosed location.
“However, that reunion has now been put on hold in light of the arrest of Karen’s partner. The YEP has also learned that detectives probing Shannon’s 24 day disappearance are still interviewing the youngster. They are anxious to establish exactly what happened to her during the time she was missing. However, detectives are able to interview her for only short periods at a time because of her tender age, and the delicate nature of the questioning.”
DAILY MAIL: “Police arrest Shannon Matthews’ stepfather on child porn charges”
Police investigating the disappearance of Shannon Matthews have arrested her stepfather Craig Meehan on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children.
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Posted: 2nd, April 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann, Tabloids Comments (148)
Tory Councillor On Shannon Matthews And Sterilising People On Benefits
TORY councillor John Ward has been musing on his blog about Shannon Matthews and social engineering.
Mr Ward, a 58-year- old bachelor, wrote:
“This is yet another example of ‘Breakdown Britain’… “Children become just a means toward that end, and are of themselves of little if any further significance in this new society.
“I think there is an increasingly strong case for compulsory sterilisation of all those who have had a second (or third, or whatever) child while living off state handouts…
“With over-population being the root cause of so much that negatively impacts Planet Earth, the very last thing the world needs is to encourage excessive breeding.”
Mr Ward has backtracked a little. He says: “I’m half-blind and missed out a word, I should have written ‘consideration’. I’m sorry if it has caused any problems.”
And in any case, as the Mail notes, the whole idea was to get people to think about issues.
Mr Ward is not voicing an opinion, rather joining the debate. He may be saying something unpalatable, but his rhetoric owes more to New Labour than the Nazis.
Oh, yes, the Nazis.
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Posted: 25th, March 2008 | In: Politicians, Tabloids Comments (23)
Madeleine McCann: A Source Says, Shannon Matthews And Down Under
MADDYWATCH – Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann
THE SUN: “Maddie picture was ‘a mistake’”
MISSING Madeleine McCann’s parents yesterday blasted claims that releasing a photo of her had led to her death. Publishing the image may have “panicked” a kidnapper into killing her, said a legal source in Portugal. It was also claimed that Portuguese prosecutors now believed her body would NEVER be found.
A legal source?
The source said: “An abductor felt trapped and got rid of her. The parents may have contributed to this story having an unfortunate ending.”
A source says and the Sun reacts. Contact the usual sources.
Says the McCanns’ spokesman Clarence Mitchell: “They don’t believe Maddie is dead.”
THE HERALD: “Why Shannon’s welfare is the only priority”
Is it? And what has it to do with Madeleine McCann?
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Posted: 18th, March 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann, Tabloids Comments (556)
Shannon Matthews: Bratz, Mystic Babies And Sir Norman Bettison
SHANNON WATCH – Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Shannon Matthews
Shannon Matthews has been in the care of the local authority since she was found. The media had a few hours to speculate and focus on Shannon “what ifs” but now the shutters are down. The man has been charged and will appear in court today.
DAILY MAIL: “Don’t let Shannon go home because her mother’s not ‘ready’, say her grandparents”
You can always interview the family.
“We just don’t want Shannon going back to that house. She can stay with us,” said the nine-year-old’s grandfather Gordon Matthews. “I don’t think that Karen and Craig are ready to look after her properly. While all this has been happening, we had Shannon’s brother and sister staying here with us and they were both so happy – they didn’t want to go back.”
Wonder why? Let’s speculate…
He and his wife June are fearful that Shannon, who is in foster care after her 24- day abduction ordeal, could soon be back at home. Mrs Matthews, 64, added: “I have been thinking of Shannon going back to Karen. It’s just not right. Karen was a great mum before she took Craig in. Since he arrived they’ve had a terrible life.”
Craig Meehan is innocent. Why mention him?
Mr Matthews added: “Craig is like a tiny child. He’s so immature. He rings Karen all the time on the phone, literally 20 times a day.”
Maybe it’s love? Maybe Karen Matthews likes children?
“Karen is like a taxi service for him. She picks him up and drops him off everywhere. I have never liked him and I don’t want Shannon going back to her mother while he is around, you just wouldn’t want him looking after your child.”
DAILY MIRROR: “SHANNON WILL STAY WITH COPS”
Shannon Matthews will not return to her mum and stepdad but will be looked after by specialist carers. Police chief Sir Norman Bettison confirmed that the nine-year-old will not be going home just yet to Karen Matthews, 32, and 22-year-old Craig Meehan for the moment.
Norman Bettison. West Yorkshire’s leading copper. After listening to the grandparents, listening to Norman is the next story. Prepared to update the Wikipedia entry, sir!
Says Sir Norman B-E-T-T-I-S-O-N: “She is safe. She’s well. She’s in the place where we think that she’s safest at the moment.”
He singles out Detectives Paul Kettlewell and Nick Townsend who refused to leave when they got no answer at a flat where neighbours said they could hear a child’s footsteps. They watched the front and back entrances and called for a battering ram. They broke down the door and discovered Shannon.
Says Chief Constable Sir Norman: “I think it is amazing and I think it is a question of pride for me that they started to make inquiries of the neighbours. Given this was the 700th action they had undertaken since the start of the investigation…
“It’s been phenomenal and it’s been unprecedented [“You’ve already used ‘amazing’ sir!] and let me tell you where I’m standing it’s been entirely professional. It’s painstaking methodical work.”
Of his officers: “They’re special people, extraordinary people doing an extraordinary job.”
Wikipedia: Sir Norman Bettison the Amazing, phenomenal, extraordinary, unprecedented…
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Posted: 18th, March 2008 | In: Broadsheets, Madeleine McCann, Tabloids Comments (94)
Shannon Matthews: Sir Norman Bettison’s Wikipedia Update
SHANNON Matthews is safe. The man suspected of taking her in a suspected abduction is being quizzed. And over the newswires:
Meanwhile, West Yorkshire chief constable Sir Norman Bettison highlighted the work of detectives Paul Kettlewell and Nick Townsend as he defended the professionalism of his force. Sir Norman said his officers have interviewed 6,000 people and searched 3,000 houses over the past three weeks and said he was amazed to have to defend his force publicly against criticism over its speed in recovering her.
Sir Norman Bettison, Wikipedia And Celebrity Policing
Posted: 17th, March 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (51)
Shannon Matthews: Rewarding Times
SHANNON Matthews has been found. And the Sun’s reward claimed. The reward it doubled. But by whom? And who gets it? How does the Sun decide?
Says Chief Supt Barry South: “Let me put on notice that had we known at any time the whereabouts of Shannon, we would have been there within seconds. These people are now coming out of the woodwork.”
Might the Sun now have to engage in some investigative journalism..?
Posted: 16th, March 2008 | In: Tabloids Comments (7)
