PORTUGAL: Maddie's case, international media phenomenon

On Saturday (August 11), Kate and Gerry McCann will mark 100 days of the disappearance of Madeleine, their four-year-old daughter. It's been 100 days in which they have been under the camera lights not only during the intense campaign to find their daughter but also every morning as they try to maintain their daily routine in resort of Praia da Luz. The media attention has become even more evident after recent reports by Portuguese media that have suggested that the little British girl was murdered in her room on May 3 and not abducted as police initially concluded. The McCanns, who since the first day of Maddie's disappearance have intensely campaigned to find their daughter, have been the subject of endless radio and television broadcasting hours and untold newspapers inches not only in the UK and Portugal but also in neighbouring Spain and across Europe - even around the world. And Praia da Luz, a sleepy Algarve ocean-side resort has become the centre of international media attention. According to the journalists covering the story, the case contains all the requisite elements of a media event: a likeable professional couple, a pretty blonde girl, a club in Portugal, the ocean. The McCanns seemed made for the front pages, suitable to be turned into icons, people with whom one can identify. "It has been said here by Portuguese media in an analysis of the phenomenon: had she been a dark or black child and the parents weren't white, Catholic and well educated people, there would have been less attention to the case," Chief correspondent for Spanish State Television, Daniel Peral, told Reuters. "We have had cases like this in Spain every day and we talk about them but not in the way we have done it in this case. Madeleine is a world phenomenon that was set up that way since the beginning," he added. The presence of large numbers of journalists on the ground - who can be seen every day on the street outside the McCann's holiday apartment - clearly piques the curiosity of the locals. "I came here to see all this equipment here and all the foreign and Portuguese journalists. All of them are impeccable, very friendly and professional," said Maria Teresa, a Portuguese retired teacher who owns a vila in the area. In the beach area, where photos and posters of Madeleine are posted in most restaurants and cafeterias, some tourists say they feel overwhelmed by such a big campaign. "Even if the child would cross my way, maybe I wouldn't notice it," said Ursula Cretni from Germany. "Because there are so many pictures all around that you don't concentrate on the girls of that age anymore. You don't pay attention to them," said Cretni. Although media attention has been obviously helpful for the McCanns, Praia da Luz tourist agencies had feared it could result in a decrease of the number of visitors to the resort this summer. According to the Lagos Tourism office however, as of August 9, the beach resort accommodation facilities are full and no significant cancellations have been reported. "When we heard about the case we were very, very shocked and thought it was a shame because if it stops people coming, it's such a shame because it's such a beautiful place," British tourist Karen Kay said. It is difficult to predict when or if Maddie's case will ever be resolved but it is clear at this point that, because of her case and her parent's aggressive campaign, the town of Praia da Luz sounds now familiar to millions of people around the world.

ITN Source | August 11, 2007

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