Gerry and Kate McCann

[meglet]

The McCanns have won damages for hundreds of "grossly defamatory" articles by 4 major newspapers, especially Express Newspapers, with prominent apolgies expected.

I despise the press in this country and think they are an absolute disgrace to Britain. The lies they print often go unchallenged as this just makes things worse (see Heather Mills) and the subsequent apologies are normally hidden on page 27.

Well done Kate and Gerry.

[meglet]

Thank you Legend. Looking back when I said "the full details of her abduction are yet to be revealed" I meant Shannon's abduction so perhaps we were at cross purposes.

I did not mean this to be a thread about Maddie's disappearance. Personally I feel that any time a newspaper admits they are at fault, apologises and pays damages is a good day. They need to understand that the British public should not be lied to in order to make money -people believe them after all. One example recently was a front page headline that said "Delboy Dead". When you opened it up it was a small story about the fact that the BBC weren't going to commission any more Fools and Horses. Blatent.

[delboy3]

Phew! Had me worried there for a moment.

[Oneeyedvic]

100% agree - and mentioned this back in 2005 on this site http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Preview/Qu estion150641.html (9.05am post 8/10/05)

[meglet]

Lol delboy! I've found the article here

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/29097/DEL -BOY-IS-DEAD/

Vic, It disgusts me that newspapers that are run by one or two people who wield huge power (and are obviously unelected) and this power has corrupted them. What can be done about it do you think? Do the Press Complaints Commission need more teeth?

[Twenty20]

Would they have to repay this money if they are ever found to be guilty of having anything to do with her disappearance?

[meglet]

Twenty20, I think this is slightly missing the point. If they are ever found guilty of having anything to do with her disappearance then the newspapers will be vindicated. But the point is that the press made these defamatory remarks without any evidence. Again I say, hearsay and opinion was reported as fact.

[brionon]

Keep to the point-The Newspapers spewing out lies and opinions as News. I'd like to see the Editors lose their jobs.

[Kathyan]

I still can't help thinking that if they hadn't left her and her siblings alone, then nothing would have happened to her. So, in effect, them saying they had 'nothing' to do with her disappearance, is wrong.

[meglet]

Kathyan, the McCanns have never disputed that or defended themselves against the fact that they left their children. They hardly could have done. What they are defending themselves against is that comments made by some observers were reported as fact using the old chestnut that it was an insider source.

I find this unacceptable in this day and age in a country as supposedly sophisticated as ours.

[Mamjet]

i.am.legend - what a nasty piece of work you are. The type that is quick to judge and gets off on other people's misery.
one day you'll be judged. And found wanting.

[brionon]

Legend says he's gonna reserve judgement about that cold woman and her smarmy git husband who are leeches. Wow, what would he say if he was judgemental ?

[helpmeout06]

Who wins? You decide or do you? The press print what they like and I think Sky News are the worst culprits, they are biased, I've got to the point where I don' t want to watch the news in the morning, even down to the weather, they scare monger and get it wrong, nobody is perfect, this is not the country of free speech any more, they try to sway us, my goodness I have a story to tell but really don't know where to turn, if anyone wants to listen please get back to me, I think if we all be honest most of us had a glimmer of doubt, but I believe they are innocent, now is not the time for blame as in the Shannon Matthews case, it will all come out in the wash.

[gina32]

do we really know what the money has been spent on, what is it paying for? they made at least 2 mortagage payments from it, who is to say their wasnt more?

[Drisgirl]

Have to say Leg -you have a bee in yer bunnet about this case -and I wont reserve judgement on this one -you have berated them from day one.That is your pergotative -however at the mention of the McCanns please dont jump on yer soapbox hun cos you and I both know what it feels like to be unjustly accused of something.I'm not having a go -that just my take on it.
This is about false malious unfounded LIES not about the circumstances behind it.
They are not milking this to augment 'thei'r fund -that is ludicrous and you and I both know that.
Their is a chasm of difference between the the Shannon and Maddy disappearances -one being that one was found alive -however -her mother didnt report her misssing for hours -might have even been the next day -there is a bit of dispute about that -now whats the differnce between thinking your daughter was staying at a pals house and 'not bothering to check if she had arrived safely'' and what happened to Maddie-zilch.

I am glad they have more for their fighting fund and I am so glad I have never been in the postion whereby people across the globe find it necessary to be so judgemental about me without knowing all the facts.

Its bad enough on AB at times !

[scorpious123]

i reckon maddie could be living in your house legend muppett

[SRH]

For the record, I'm a journalist and the standard policy on newspapers is that if someone can't afford to sue you, then print what you damn well like, whether or not it's true - if it shifts papers, then who cares.

It disgusts me. The majority of journalists are hard-working, decent and ethical individuals, but the same can't be said for our editors.

Been thinking for a long time of a career change, but if we all did that then there would be no one in the office to stand up every week and tell the boss what he's doing is contemptable.

[meglet]

SRH, I applaud you. If only more journalists had your credibility.

[SRH]

Cheers Meglet. Went into it as a youngster, thinking I could change the world - how wrong can a person be? We have to pass law exams to qualify as a journo - but the book is then shoved in the draw and ethics thrown out the window. And there's no one to speak out - no paper would print criticism of another about this. It's a closed shop.

[donn1901]

if we had no press we wouldn't know any of the news in todays world? well i'm no detective but to leave children on there own is horrific and i would certainly not leave mine! i would call on there parents first and would certainly put them suspects 90% of abductions are family related!