Journalist Sonia Poulton promises "The untold story of Madeleine McCann".

[Alfred R Jones]

You miss one inconvenient truth: somehow this 'dossier' also got sent to Sky News, and they and their allies decided they wouldn't wait for police and legislation. Isn't that retribution?

Let's say (for argument's sake) that it was.  Does that make Sonia Poulton's desire for retribution OK?  How do her actions differ from those of the dossier compiler(s) and Sky News?  Do you not see any hint of hypocrisy in Sonia's actions?  If not, why not?

[lordpookles]

Never heard of her, so no idea what her reputation is like amongst those of you who are involved in the social media debate over the McCanns. I really don't understand WHY she wishes to make this documentary though. If I had this much time to burn playing tit for tat and was profoundly convinced of the McCanns involvement why not go out to Prai Da Luz and try and solve the case rather then getting caught up in this fray?

I value like most I assume intelligent writing and debate. From the disbelievers corner I have only found one writer on the internet that I can bear to read. I have no idea what his history is or his profession, but Dr Martin Roberts at least writes quite well and logically imo. Any opinions on him on the board? Also, can anyone recommend a good writer who is not part of the mainstream press and so not as restricted by what they can say who is a McCann believer?

[Lyall]

Let's say (for argument's sake) that it was.  Does that make Sonia Poulton's desire for retribution OK?  How do her actions differ from those of the dossier compiler(s) and Sky News?  Do you not see any hint of hypocrisy in Sonia's actions?  If not, why not?

Of course I do, I've not much in common with either SP or the people encouraging her.

But you should also be honest about your own hypocrisy: you know BL wasn't a ringleader (we all know who are) and you should be honest that what was done to her was humiliation not journalism. Whoever produced this 'dossier' isn't responsible for what Sky News did, but did apparently give them an excuse for doing it.

[Lyall]

Is it your suggestion Sky News should have hidden information they had been given by a genuinely concerned member of the public, without investigation? Smacks of censorship.

I wasn't the least bit surprised that Sky News did something, and I can see why they did. But what was done was not only misdirected but also a crude use of the power at their disposal.

[Alice Purjorick]

Highlighting poulton's jounalistic credentials is not slagging her off...it's being realistic...something that is in very short supply around here.

A quick flip through the first six pages of this thread would indicate it went a little beyond highlighting her journalistic credentials. But then if you have the attention span of a goldfish it is I suppose easy to forget what has been written.

[Alice Purjorick]

Is it your suggestion Sky News should have hidden information they had been given by a genuinely concerned member of the public, without investigation? Smacks of censorship.

Brenda Leyland had instigated communication with Martin Brunt. 
He was following that through; we still have no idea what he was told at their arranged private interview later on that day.

However, I think it is about time there was a reality check among the unbelievers.

Sonia Poulton @SoniaPoulton · Oct 31
I believe Madeleine #McCann case will be 1st one solved with aid of social media detectives. Let's face it, the police aren't going to do it
 
 ... and with attitudes such as that ... I really can't wait to see exactly what is in this documentary, particularly if the discredited profiler from across the pond has been consulted for it.
                                                                                                           

                                                                                                 

Would you care to define the meaning of "reality check" on which you rely in this context?
Would that be Golden Pond or Hatchet Pond ?

[Alfred R Jones]

Of course I do, I've not much in common with either SP or the people encouraging her.

But you should also be honest about your own hypocrisy: you know BL wasn't a ringleader (we all know who are) and you should be honest that what was done to her was humiliation not journalism. Whoever produced this 'dossier' isn't responsible for what Sky News did, but did apparently give them an excuse for doing it.

Please clarify exactly how I have been hypocritical in your view?

[Lyall]

Please clarify exactly how I have been hypocritical in your view?

By only seeing what you want to see. You ought to be critical of what Sky News did.

Of course they had no way of knowing what would happen but singling out one person was still a crude action and they ought to have behaved more responsibly.

[Alfred R Jones]

By only seeing what you want to see. You ought to be critical of what Sky News did.

Of course they had no way of knowing what would happen but singling out one person was still a crude action and they ought to have behaved more responsibly.

Why should I comment about Sky's actions on a thread about Journalist Sonia Poulton's actions? &%+((£  But for what it's worth I think it's a shame Sky went after Leyland, and not one of the more extreme examples of twitter troll - personally though I have no problem whatsoever with the media making an example of ghastly people who get their kicks from being highly abusive to and about the bereaved and victims of crime.

[Brietta]

I wasn't the least bit surprised that Sky News did something, and I can see why they did. But what was done was not only misdirected but also a crude use of the power at their disposal.

Then how do you define Sonia Poulton's rather bizarre claim that her documentary will tell yet another untold story about Madeleine McCann ... and as an aside reveal the identities of individuals who will then most certainly be exposed to on line trolling of the worst sort?

[jassi]

Perhaps she thinks it a good marketing ploy.

[Brietta]

Why should I comment about Sky's actions on a thread about Journalist Sonia Poulton's actions? &%+((£  But for what it's worth I think it's a shame Sky went after Leyland, and not one of the more extreme examples of twitter troll - personally though I have no problem whatsoever with the media making an example of ghastly people who get their kicks from being highly abusive to and about the bereaved and victims of crime.

I rather imagine the MSM are awaiting the coroner's conclusion on Brenda Leyland's death, probably not as much in respect as in expediency.

As you say, she was actually a very small cog in the wheel and I am sure there are other stories waiting to be told;  who knows ... Sonia Poulton's may be one of them.

[stephen25000]

Why should I comment about Sky's actions on a thread about Journalist Sonia Poulton's actions? &%+((£  But for what it's worth I think it's a shame Sky went after Leyland, and not one of the more extreme examples of twitter troll - personally though I have no problem whatsoever with the media making an example of ghastly people who get their kicks from being highly abusive to and about the bereaved and victims of crime.

It hasn't been proved one way or the other who committed the crime.

Try bearing that in mind.

[Brietta]

Perhaps she thinks it a good marketing ploy.

I'm sure she does and I am sure that in this instance Brenda Leyland is being used as a cash cow in much the same way Madeleine is.

[Lyall]

Then how do you define Sonia Poulton's rather bizarre claim that her documentary will tell yet another untold story about Madeleine McCann ... and as an aside reveal the identities of individuals who will then most certainly be exposed to on line trolling of the worst sort?

Yes, you have a point there.

Exposing people is a waste of time imo and would just confirm what the media already thinks of us. (I advised her to speak to Kay Burley - who knows exactly what that opinion is, and told us so -, but I doubt she did).

I don't expect much from SP's film, apart from more or less more of the same approach we've seen again and again.