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Denise
Barsoom
129 Posts |
 Posted - 25/05/2007 : 21:35:36
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It is now three weeks since the abduction (if that is what happened) of Madeleine McCann. To be hard-nosed about the matter, the chances that she would be found alive after the first 72 hours became vanishingly small, as the police involved and the journalists reporting the case are only too well aware.
But a vanishingly small chance is still a chance, and children have returned or been found when all hope has died. Like everybody else, I hope with all my heart that this child is found - it seems silly to say "safe and well": found will do.
This sad affair and the public's reaction to it has stirred grumblings that frequently surface when tragedy strikes and the "grief industry" swings in to action.
My father was what you might call a man of backbone. During the War he entered his teens, and in three short years managed to lose his grandmother and younger sister in the bombing raids on Yarmouth, and an older brother (my Uncle Len) in Burma. Dad himself spent part of his national service in Malaya at the time of the Emergency. None of that was ever part of his conversation, even when in his deepest cups.
Dad, until the year before his death, went along to the annual Yarmouth Remembrance Day ceremony. He was always a little hard to talk to on that day, but once it was over, he became his usual chipper self again.
It was as if that was enough. A solemn occasion carried off with dignity by people with real and present grief in their hearts.
Dad never understood and never sympathised with the fashion for roadside memorials at fatal crash sites. He was (as a lot of us were) repulsed by the public wailing over the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. The aftermath of the Selby rail "disaster" exercised him greatly - "Ten deaths is a tragedy - but it is not a disaster!" - and the trumpetting of the Last Post at one of the many joint memorial services for the Selby victims absolutely infuriated him.
Which brings me to one of my many brushes with the "grief industry", my memory prodded by the article reproduced below.
At the time of the Soham murders I was despatched to that town by my television station (Soham falling in the middle of our transmission area) with a team of journalists and two roving ENG units. My job was to line up for interview locals and people who knew the two (then) missing girls and anybody even remotely connected with Ian Huntley (who the Press knew to be the chief suspect long before the news was broken).
What was noticeable about Soham were the very large numbers of people walking about the place, or standing in crowds close to the school. If you asked most of them why they were there (as we did), you would be told that they had come to express their sympathy. When the missing girls' bodies were discovered, Soham became ever more crowded, and carpets of flowers were laid on any vacant spot. Some of these people were in tears.
Locals who actually knew the girls almost uniformly expressed their revulsion. Privately, the police - who took the flowers to lay them - were equally displeased. The Soham locals had very good reason to be upset. They could not understand why all these people, who had provided the local garages with a roaring trade in flowers, needed to invade their town to parade their "grief".
Of course, we couldn't broadcast any of that, and in the current climate it would be a brave television station that did.
But what we and our colleagues in other news organisations recorded was closer to reality than anything that went to air.
The Grief Industry triumphed again, while common sense, dignity and proportion continued their long retreat.
The article below appeared on The Stirrer, the website of Birmingham Mail journalist Adrian Goldberg (among others).
It articulates my thoughts very well - what about yours?
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GOOD GRIEF?
24-05-2007
Wearing your yellow ribbon for missing toddler Madeleine McCann yet? Laurence Inman isn't. He deplores the whole manufactured outpouring of grief that surrounds her disappearance and argues that it's the sign of a sick society.
This week I’ve been forced to remember a couple of things from the distant which I would much sooner have forgotten.
The first was the way certain unscrupulous members of the press tried to contrive what they thought might be a good ‘angle’ on the Aberfan story in 1966. (As if the deaths of over 100 children needed dramatising.)
A couple of Daily Express photographers were found trying to arrange two bits of smashed wood into a rough cross at the disaster site. They made the mistake of asking a passing resident to help. Being a well-built miner, he helped them out of the village instead.
The second was after the disappearance of the two girls from Soham, but before their bodies were found, when the TV news showed some half-drunk lummox who’d come all the way from London ‘to show support.’
He’d dragged his wife and kids along too and they looked on uncomfortably while he snuffled ‘I just felt I had to be here,’ and tried to cry. He couldn’t, of course.
Two films have also come to mind: Ace In The Hole, directed by the great Billy Wilder, and Wag The Dog. Watch them, and then consider how reporters on the scene have treated perfectly innocent people, because they ‘looked strange,’ in their quest for increased sales.
Matthew Parris, the ex-Tory MP, has been criticised for saying that the spectacle of all sorts of public figures displaying yellow ribbons is ‘disgusting.’
But I am inclined to agree with him.
There is no way that any of this show of ‘grief’ can possibly make any difference to the outcome of the terrible case in Portugal. The only way you can do any good is if you are a material witness to something or if you are a member of the actual police investigating team.
Why should anyone feel it necessary to say this ? When did we, as a nation, start behaving like silly children ? When did we start tying bunches of flowers to lamp-posts, even when we didn’t know what for, like people joining a queue just because it’s there ?
When did fat grown men start blubbering at football matches ?
We should be holding these morons up to ridicule, not holding their hands and murmuring ‘There, there.’ They should be pinned down and told that they are not experiencing real emotions; they are pseudo-emotions, brought out for specially the occasion and because they have been told that others will approve, and which will be completely forgotten as soon as they’re alone again.
They should be reminded that ‘outpouring’ is a derogatory term, not something to be proud of for crying out loud.
You can’t switch the telly on these days without seeing someone’s face crumple up like a soggy hankie because they’re fat, or their nose is the ‘wrong’ shape, or they only won £20,000 on Deal Or No Deal instead of hanging on to win a little more. What are these idiots going to do when something really tragic happens ? Explode ?
Children disappear, or are attacked, or killed, with depressing regularity. Often they are not pretty, or blond-haired, or white. Their parents can be shabbily-dressed, inarticulate and feckless. They go missing without the whole nation pretending to be upset about them. Kids are horribly injured by careless prats driving 4X4’s with bull-bars. We shrug our shoulders and turn to the racing page.
Madeleine McCann may turn up safe and well. She may not. In either case, we and the papers will soon forget the whole business. I refuse to pretend that I will feel anything like her parents’ joy or pain at the outcome.
And I will continue to warn anyone who will listen that this kind of madness is, contrary to what we are being told, a very bad sign for the way our society is going. The most ruthless, violent and savage societies have nearly always also been the most sentimental and mawkish.
Has Laurence said what you've been thinking but hadn't dared to say? Or is he just a heartless b-----d?
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Voice of Reason / Norfolk Unity |
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Miriam Binder
Earthsea
United Kingdom
5815 Posts |
Posted - 25/05/2007 : 21:46:10
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| Nah, Laurence expresses it pretty well in my opinion. I hope she is found safe and well, I doubt she will be. My sincere sympathies to all those personally involved in the tragedy but for me ... life goes on. |
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin |
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Daveb
Earthsea
2211 Posts |
Posted - 25/05/2007 : 21:58:52
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In a nutshell.
It happens everyday
Get over it? |
We're all doomed!
Head for the hills before they start heading for you! |
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Pelagia
Barsoom
479 Posts |
Posted - 25/05/2007 : 21:59:25
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| Denise, you and Laurence have got it in a nutshell. If you want a really disgusting exhibition of grief/witch-hunting, go to the Mirror forums. The plug was pulled on the original "Maddie" McCann thread yesterday, probably because it was libellous and foul in the extreme. Someone started a new one up, and it has got just as bad. I have not seen seen one post on there condemning the person who took her, just condemnation of the parents, while expressing their grief for "little Maddie". They are too stupid to realise that they are making the person who took her, who will definitley be found to be a paedophile, absolved from his crime. I say his, as it always is. I wont go any further, as this subject is really gettingmy back up, (as Mim knows!) |
Edited by - Pelagia on 25/05/2007 22:00:17 |
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nightbird
Calaspia
603 Posts |
Posted - 25/05/2007 : 23:02:46
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The media have put this little girl in more grave danger with its wall to wall coverage me thinks, there should be a news black out on such crimes until she is found or the police think its appropriate to help their investigation.
Better media control is whats needed, they seem to attack the police and her parents, published names of people that have been questioned who may be totally innocent, a media circus that helps nobody.
I just pray she is found safe..... |
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Fluffy Sheep
Discworld
1178 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2007 : 01:26:10
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It`s like when there`s a house on fire and the Fire Tender can`t even get there before dispersing a crowd of spectators. Yes, I agree, Denise, Laurence, and Nightbird. Is it the Media we should blame, or the mawkish trend of our `celeb` culture that gave rise to the `grief industry`? It definitely took a sharp turn for the worse with Diana, but which came first, the Hen or the Egg?
I remember Aberfan. The public didn`t do this stuff then, if the press did, or tried to. |
Row faster, slaves! Caesar wants to waterski! |
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nightbird
Calaspia
603 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2007 : 11:50:59
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quote:
Originally posted by Fluffy Sheep
It`s like when there`s a house on fire and the Fire Tender can`t even get there before dispersing a crowd of spectators. Yes, I agree, Denise, Laurence, and Nightbird. Is it the Media we should blame, or the mawkish trend of our `celeb` culture that gave rise to the `grief industry`? It definitely took a sharp turn for the worse with Diana, but which came first, the Hen or the Egg?
I remember Aberfan. The public didn`t do this stuff then, if the press did, or tried to.
Aberfan, that was public grief with dignity and respect for the relatives.
Now being a parent and suffering a loss of this magnitude you get the media shoving cameras in your face with no respect for anybody. |
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n/a
deleted
240 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2007 : 14:22:17
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| I suppose the press play a very important role as well keeping the public inform, but shouldn't be allow the invasion of privacy of the people involve. Recently we've been inform by school from seen suspisious adults outside the school gates with adds to the parents' fear, definetively cases like this make you more aware and watch where your children are every moment. |
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Denise
Barsoom
129 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2007 : 14:46:26
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quote:
[
Aberfan, that was public grief with dignity and respect for the relatives.
Now being a parent and suffering a loss of this magnitude you get the media shoving cameras in your face with no respect for anybody.
It was. Sullied only by Harold Wilson's Labour government's insistance that the removal of the NCB's coal tips nationwide would be financed in part by the monies raised for the Aberfan families.
And it was.
Tony Blair finally put that to rights by repaying the monies owed - with no allowance for interest or inflation since 1966. The Aberfan fund got back only the money - to the exact amount - that the "party of the working man" extorted from it in 1966/7 with no reference to 1990's values.
In other words, 30 years after the disaster (and that was a disaster) the Labour Party's middle-class lawyers, teachers and businesmen continued to have no affiliation with the working-class they have always claimed claim to exalt. No time or money to make ammends to a real working-class community of which they knew (and know) almost nothing.
But all the time in the world, and the money (yours) to hand to put into any number of parasitic egalitarian schmenes employing expensive people very much like themselvesw, "human rights" and other largely meaningless but costly legistlation that always appears to give us "rights", them jobs, but which denude us of freedom.
All of which is a long way from the original point.
I don't believe that the "grief industry" is media led. Rather, the media are pandering to a natural human condition.
People have a propensity for drama. Nobody has a "minor heart attack" - in the telling it always becomes a "massive" heart attack. People sitting in traffic jams that keep them 15 minutes behind their time are wont to talk of "gidlock", not of the minor exceptional circumstance it was. You get the picture? |
Voice of Reason / Norfolk Unity |
Edited by - Denise on 26/05/2007 14:49:57 |
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Daveb
Earthsea
2211 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2007 : 15:22:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Denise
[quote][
I don't believe that the "grief industry" is media led. Rather, the media are pandering to a natural human condition.
You must be having a laugh with this statement? |
We're all doomed!
Head for the hills before they start heading for you! |
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Miriam Binder
Earthsea
United Kingdom
5815 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2007 : 15:52:49
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| The media is certainly guilty of putting the spotlight on grief. |
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin |
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n/a
deleted
66 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2007 : 16:23:56
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| The parents seem to be courting the media so a bit unfair to blame the media. |
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Miriam Binder
Earthsea
United Kingdom
5815 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2007 : 16:37:11
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| I think we are talking about more then just the whole Maddy circus Jodan. |
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin |
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Daveb
Earthsea
2211 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2007 : 16:49:31
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In this case the parents have certainly courted the coverage to highlight their plight. I do not blame them for that. I wish them well.
When this all blows over (I hope with a happy outcome) they will need to watch out because the media will no doubt be digging for some dirt.
That is what they do best. Build someone up then descend like vultures when they get the chance.
Without this media hype we could live happily without even hearing of the likes of Jade Goody, Jordan, all WAGS etc
Those that hound the like of Kate Middleton, just for a photo of an unguarded moment should be exterminated. |
We're all doomed!
Head for the hills before they start heading for you! |
Edited by - Daveb on 26/05/2007 17:03:48 |
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long time no see
Earthsea
United Kingdom
6771 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2007 : 16:58:34
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Yes the Parents are Trapped in this Pushy
news Frenzy.
Sky and the BBC fight for the first Exclusive
meanwhile ITV News beats them both, yesterday.
Then they did the same over long interviews with SkyNews,BBCNews
and local news.
The problem they have is some folks of those near African nations have no TV or Radio. |
Edited by - long time no see on 26/05/2007 16:59:54 |
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n/a
deleted
66 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2007 : 17:20:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Miriam Binder
I think we are talking about more then just the whole Maddy circus Jodan.
The media only report what is happening. |
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Daveb
Earthsea
2211 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2007 : 17:32:01
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Thet also report what they can stir up and then report in a SENSATIONAL SOAR AWAY fashion.
All parasites. Get a real job. |
We're all doomed!
Head for the hills before they start heading for you! |
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The Duke of Uranus
Barsoom
294 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2007 : 17:42:49
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| I think this article sums things up pretty well. |
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Daveb
Earthsea
2211 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2007 : 17:45:11
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Just as sad.
Good point Duke. |
We're all doomed!
Head for the hills before they start heading for you! |
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Miriam Binder
Earthsea
United Kingdom
5815 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2007 : 17:50:17
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quote:
Originally posted by jodan
The media only report what is happening.
The media pick and choose what to report from what is happening. What goes on the front page, what get a couple of lines just before the sport pages and what gets omitted is all determined by the editors who determine on the basis of ... will it sell papers ... or the producers who determine on the basis of ... the ratings. |
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin |
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long time no see
Earthsea
United Kingdom
6771 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2007 : 18:31:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Miriam Binder
quote:
Originally posted by jodan
The media only report what is happening.
The media pick and choose what to report from what is happening. What goes on the front page, what get a couple of lines just before the sport pages and what gets omitted is all determined by the editors who determine on the basis of ... will it sell papers ... or the producers who determine on the basis of ... the ratings.
Yes Jobs depend on it.
Cut-Throat Media. |
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Tombstone Blues
Earthsea
2165 Posts |
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long time no see
Earthsea
United Kingdom
6771 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2007 : 19:01:31
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Yes TB
another Endemol Total Control product. |
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n/a
deleted
66 Posts |
Posted - 27/05/2007 : 05:33:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Miriam Binder
quote:
Originally posted by jodan
The media only report what is happening.
The media pick and choose what to report from what is happening. What goes on the front page, what get a couple of lines just before the sport pages and what gets omitted is all determined by the editors who determine on the basis of ... will it sell papers ... or the producers who determine on the basis of ... the ratings.
You are not averse to using the media when it suits you. |
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Miriam Binder
Earthsea
United Kingdom
5815 Posts |
Posted - 27/05/2007 : 05:44:40
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quote:
Originally posted by jodan
You are not averse to using the media when it suits you.
Your point Jodan? |
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin |
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n/a
deleted
66 Posts |
Posted - 27/05/2007 : 12:23:35
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| I would have thought it obvious. |
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Miriam Binder
Earthsea
United Kingdom
5815 Posts |
Posted - 27/05/2007 : 12:35:01
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quote:
Originally posted by jodan
I would have thought it obvious.
Nope ... it isn't. So, do you want to spell it out or are you just going to troll? |
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin |
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n/a
deleted
66 Posts |
Posted - 27/05/2007 : 15:14:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Miriam Binder
quote:
Originally posted by jodan
I would have thought it obvious.
Nope ... it isn't. So, do you want to spell it out or are you just going to troll?
Work it out for yourself. |
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Miriam Binder
Earthsea
United Kingdom
5815 Posts |
Posted - 27/05/2007 : 15:43:45
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quote:
Originally posted by jodan
Work it out for yourself.
Oh, don't worry sweetness, I have ... your beloved party has bombed, your erstwhile comrades have deserted your favourite forums so you are no longer able to exchange your xenophobic crapola with anyone so ... Aha you thought ... I'll go on livewire and make a fool of myself. Well guess what Jodan my dearling, you've succeeded, you've made a fool of yourself.
Here you go dear, have a  |
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin |
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Fluffy Sheep
Discworld
1178 Posts |
Posted - 27/05/2007 : 20:55:41
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Glad someone explained...
The media generally cater to the lowest common denominator (ratings, newspaper sales, etc.) so surely the folks who BUY the crappy tabloids, for instance, are to blame? NTURAL human condition? No, it`s become quite an Un-natural human condition to have people famous for being famous. Our `celeb` culture has arisen through boredom or daftness,or a combination of the two. |
Row faster, slaves! Caesar wants to waterski! |
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n/a
deleted
66 Posts |
Posted - 28/05/2007 : 15:48:14
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Minor celebrities court the media, with the hope that it will show them in a good light, but when the media is used against them they cry foul, we cant have it both ways,we have to accept that the media will be used against those chase the limelight.
In the case of maddy, am i the only one who feels it has gone too far, yes it is sad, but for many people due to holiday in the region it must be a bloody nightmare, children go missing everyday, yet the parents of those children dont get to meet the pope, enough is enough, let the police and interpol get on with their job, and let the people of Portugal get on with their lives.
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The sign of a sick society?