BRITISH GIRL MISSING MILES AWAY FROM BRITAIN
Nothing brings the country together quite like a football World Cup or child abduction. So seen as it's 3 and a bit years before England disappoint on the world stage again we should all get excited about the next great British manhunt. This time on tour.
Madeleine McCann went missing from a Portuguese resort two weeks ago. From the beginning it was quite clear that normal police resources wouldn't be enough to assist in a safe passage home for the 4 year old so the British tabloid press descended in their droves to cover the story, assist in enquiries and generally get in the way.
At The Tangent we like to pride ourselves on reporting the facts of a story and not getting caught up in the sort of sleaze our peers throw around. Like those ugly chaps on The Scum. You'll find none of that petty nonsense going on here. Below are some examples of the desperate and pathetic headlines our rivals have lowered themselves too.
Some of the despicable coverage.
Many of the journalists we spoke to at press conferences have been derogatory towards the Portuguese police officers investigating the abduction. One Daily Mail journalist expressed to us his concern that most of the force don't speak English, "How the hell are we supposed to get interview quotes when they don't speak the Queen's English? Heck, have you noticed they don't even use the pound over here? Their currency is like bloody monopoly money."
One under pressure Sun journalist claimed he was on the brink of 'inventing copy'. "I've got Rebekah Wade chomping at my balls. She told me I better have something exciting to report of she'll haul my arse back here and send out the next journo in line. She told me Ross Kemp will make me toothless. I need an angle, you got an angle man? Paedophile ring? Islamic Fundamentalists? Barrymore?"
Barrymore: not a suspect. Ross Kemp: tougher than nails and more sensitive.
Journalists from many of the other leading British tabloids claimed they are becoming increasingly frustrated by the Portuguese Police Force's apparent desire to chase leads rather than stop and conduct in depth press conferences.
Police are chasing a few leads and have one confirmed suspect, though the person may have declared themselves as a suspect under Portuguese as the status brings the person certain rights. Contrary to initial newspaper reports Gurat Beholvin, a fine young law abiding junior Priest had nothing to do with the abduction and the media sort of jumped the gun on that one. Apologies go out to his family and we hope he can soon return to eating solids. It turns out you just can't control a mob lynching.
The tabloids have been quick to offer rewards for information, in the belief that their readership will only act in the interests of a child's safety when offered monetary gain. We had a quick whip round Tangent Towers and can offer anyone with relevant information £8.52, a dashing but broken fob watch and half a Tuna Crunch Gregg's sandwich. If you do have information you might be best off contacting the Sun...
Or even better call Crimestoppers on (UK): 0800 555 111. (international): 44 1883 731 336.
Nothing brings the country together quite like a football World Cup or child abduction. So seen as it's 3 and a bit years before England disappoint on the world stage again we should all get excited about the next great British manhunt. This time on tour.
Madeleine McCann went missing from a Portuguese resort two weeks ago. From the beginning it was quite clear that normal police resources wouldn't be enough to assist in a safe passage home for the 4 year old so the British tabloid press descended in their droves to cover the story, assist in enquiries and generally get in the way.
At The Tangent we like to pride ourselves on reporting the facts of a story and not getting caught up in the sort of sleaze our peers throw around. Like those ugly chaps on The Scum. You'll find none of that petty nonsense going on here. Below are some examples of the desperate and pathetic headlines our rivals have lowered themselves too.
Some of the despicable coverage.
Many of the journalists we spoke to at press conferences have been derogatory towards the Portuguese police officers investigating the abduction. One Daily Mail journalist expressed to us his concern that most of the force don't speak English, "How the hell are we supposed to get interview quotes when they don't speak the Queen's English? Heck, have you noticed they don't even use the pound over here? Their currency is like bloody monopoly money."
One under pressure Sun journalist claimed he was on the brink of 'inventing copy'. "I've got Rebekah Wade chomping at my balls. She told me I better have something exciting to report of she'll haul my arse back here and send out the next journo in line. She told me Ross Kemp will make me toothless. I need an angle, you got an angle man? Paedophile ring? Islamic Fundamentalists? Barrymore?"
Barrymore: not a suspect. Ross Kemp: tougher than nails and more sensitive.
Journalists from many of the other leading British tabloids claimed they are becoming increasingly frustrated by the Portuguese Police Force's apparent desire to chase leads rather than stop and conduct in depth press conferences.
Police are chasing a few leads and have one confirmed suspect, though the person may have declared themselves as a suspect under Portuguese as the status brings the person certain rights. Contrary to initial newspaper reports Gurat Beholvin, a fine young law abiding junior Priest had nothing to do with the abduction and the media sort of jumped the gun on that one. Apologies go out to his family and we hope he can soon return to eating solids. It turns out you just can't control a mob lynching.
The tabloids have been quick to offer rewards for information, in the belief that their readership will only act in the interests of a child's safety when offered monetary gain. We had a quick whip round Tangent Towers and can offer anyone with relevant information £8.52, a dashing but broken fob watch and half a Tuna Crunch Gregg's sandwich. If you do have information you might be best off contacting the Sun...
Or even better call Crimestoppers on (UK): 0800 555 111. (international): 44 1883 731 336.
Labels: May 2007
posted by The Ed at
6:09 PM
