Saturday, 26 May 2012

Assessment FOUR


JOUR1111 Annotated Bibliography 
- Assessment Four -

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Journalism is a fundamental element in the portrayal of accurate and detailed information on an event or issue to the public. However the means in doing so effectively and factually is of paramount importance in providing the right news to the world. This annotated bibliography will cite four varying media sources surrounding the mystery disappearance of missing now nine-year-old girl, Madeleine McCann. The mediums studied include Kerry O’Brien’s BBC Four Corners interview with Jim Gamble, the Guardian newspapers article, the Mail Online and finally an academic paper on the ‘Child Abduction Policy: Influenced by Media Coverage...’ by Glenn W. Muschert, PHD, Melissa Young-Spillers, MS and Dawn Carr, MGS. These four sources will ultimately portray varying uncovering’s of credibility, validation and accuracy due to the means in which the media information is provided.

Laville, S. (2012, April 25). Madeleine McCann could be living with abductor, says Scotland Yard. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/apr/25/madeleine-mccann-yard-case

The United Kingdom’s Guardian newspaper journalist, Sandra Laville, reported on the disappearance of Madeleine McCann based on current statements and actions of the Scotland Yard detectives. The article revolves around the attention brought to the unresolved case after the release of a picture of what Madeleine McCann may look like today as new information is attempted to be uncovered. Laville, the crime correspondent for the Guardian newspaper, has drawn on many credible persons in her written article. Having used quotes from the Detective Chief Inspector, Andy Redwood, of Scotland Yard’s homicide and serious crime command, as well as Commander Simon Foy, the head of homicide command and finally a quote from Jim Gamble in his interview with Kerry O’Brien, it becomes apparent of the degree to which of investigation in gaining credibility in this article. The accuracy and degree of information is not suppressed to the reader, which ultimately forces its salient content to resonate with the reader. The Guardian Newspaper is a very well-known and appreciated news outlet which has been effectively portrayed in the release of this article and its height in content.


Bilton, R. (2012, May 17). [Television Program]. Sydney, NSW: BBC Four Corners.

In this interview, Four Corners reporter Kerry O’Brien speaks to Jim Gamble in regard to the reopening of the Madeleine McCann case. The BBC News channel, in which Four Corners is viewed on, functions as a form of public media. As public media is all about the publics right to information, this channel requires intelligent and educated persons to appear to provide the audience with this right. In introducing Jim Gamble to the program, O’Brien speaks of the guests credibility. He draws on Mr. Gamble being a former senior Scotland Yard investigator, the leader in the British National Crime Intelligence Service fight against child abuse, and the head of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre within the UK police (where he did some analysis for the Portuguese police early in the investigation of Madeleine’s disappearance). This ultimately provides the audience with a detailed explanation to why this man deserves to be listened to. Throughout the interview Gamble provides great detail of the police’s willingness and hope in finding Madeleine McCann in this horror case, this adds a sense of humility to the interview in a bid for the audience to further appreciate the interviewee and the network. The BBC further promotes credibility and validation to its audience in the use of Kerry O’Brien as a host due to his well-known talent due to his 46 years in the industry.


Smith, G. (2012, May 8). Groggy girl identical to Madeleine McCann spotted at Costa del Sol campsite just three days after she went missing. Online Mail. Retreieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2141100/Madeleine-McCann-spotted-Costa-del-Sol-campsite-3-days-went-missing.html

This online news site provides a 24-hour news cycle. This new form of media allows for constant updating, editing and reader input with commenting and forums. The Mail Online site published an article by journalist Graham Smith in regard to a possible sighting of Madeleine McCann three days after she was claimed to be missing. As this article was only published as of the 8 May 2012, the credibility of the source used becomes very questionable. Five years since her disappearance, it would seem strange that such statements are only coming to the surface now. Further, the source remains unnamed for the piece, which fails to provide the reader with confidence in the source. However, with the reopening of the case (in which many elements were overlooked prior to it being closed) it is almost certain that more possible sightings, like this, will be investigated more fully and become available to the public eye. Although the credibility of the source is uncertain, the site is very popular- having a Mail Online iTunes Application available for download by the general public. The accuracy in detail and validity of the finding seems vacant in the piece – however Graham Smith has used effective language in attempting to make the audience believe this sighting was definitely Madeleine. Ultimately, the credibility of the site outweighs the audiences lack of belief in the story – the site makes the reader believe its content.


Carr, D & Muschert, G.W & Young-Spillers, M. (2005). Child Abduction Policy – Influenced by Media Coverage or Empirical Data? Retrieved from http://www.drc.ohio.gov/web/reports/MuschertPaperRevised.pdf

Glenn W. Muschert, Melissa Young-Spillers and Dawn Carr are all academics at the University of Miami. All three academic professors bring years of study and education to their academic article titled ‘Child Abduction Policy – Influenced by Media Coverage or Empirical Data?’ In this article it is discussed of the representation of ‘horror stories’ (being disturbing cases of child abduction) in the light of the media. The shock disappearance of Madeleine McCann is a prime example of a horror abduction story. The authors speak of ‘high profile cases’ and their ability to spark national attention (an element that is paramount in the presentation of news and current affairs). ‘Horror stories have come to typify the child abduction problem in the contemporary public discourse’ – this is evident in the portrayal of news in current times. The application of the quote ‘if it bleeds, it leads’ comes into context with child abductions. These horror stories have evolved into forming a common assumption to the audience that when a child goes missing they are almost certainly being used for sexual exploitation and then to be murdered by the stranger. However as the article outlines, ‘child abductions … are strongly exemplified via news media coverage…’ Therefore Muschert, Young-Spillers and Carr attempt to alter the public discourse about such a social problem. The credibility of this academic article is heightened throughout due to the degree in citation of other leading professors in this field of study.


It is made clearly apparent of the influential talent of the media in the portrayal and continued coverage of the Madeleine McCann case. The degree to which the media continually brings information regarding her disappearance to the surface undoubtedly promotes progress in discovering closure.
Journalists are powerful people in providing truths to the public – truths that all humans have a right to. 

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