Britian home of free speech

Thanks Chrissie.

For me, it takes someone like Hardlinemarxist`s perspective - to stand back and look at things from a broader view and see how absolutely ridiculous the situation is.

For most of us viewing daily the intricacies of what he said, what she said, what he didn`t say, where they didn`t go etc., although important when putting things under the microscope, its equally important to stand way back (or way up high) and see how preposterous the Mcs actions are and what terrible things they are getting away with from a world view.

chrissie1

Thank you for this link.

I truly hadn't realised how wide GA Book - The Truth of the Lie - has been distributed. It does smack one in the face somewhat that this is denied to us in the UK - beyond belief really.

MADELEINE McCANN The 1,100,000,000 people
who can buy, read and discuss ‘The Truth About A Lie’ – and the ‘free
speech’ nation which cannot






13
Feb





Discussion document issued by the Madeleine McCann Research Group, 14 February 2012
On 20 October 2010, the Portuguese Appeal Court made a historic
decision in the long-running case of Dr Gerald McCann and Dr Kate McCann
-v- Dr Goncalo Amaral.

After a lower Portuguese Court had banned his book for 13 months, the
Appeal Court decided, having regard to the right to freedom of speech
and expression, that it was not libellous for his book, once again, to
be freely sold in Portugal (and other countries, such as Brazil), where
Portuguese is spoken.

We reproduce relevant extracts of the judgment below.

Not only has Dr Amaral’s book on the disappearance of Madeleine
McCann, ‘The Truth About A Lie’, been freely available in
Portuguese-speaking countries for the past 16 months, it has also, since
various dates from September 2008 onwards, been available in no fewer
than eight different languages, and all the countries that speak those
languages.

We’ve done a calculation as to which countries have Dr Amaral’s book
on sale in their main language. Here they are, in alphabetical order:

Andorra
Argentina
Austria
Belgium
Bolivia
Chile
Cuba
Denmark
Ecuador
France
Germany
Guatemala
Holland
Honduras
Italy
Luxemburg
Mexico
Nicaragua
Norway
Paraguay
Peru
San Marino
Spain
Surinam
Sweden
Switzerland
Uruguay
Venezuela.

We estimate that around 1,100,000,000 people live in those countries:
1.1 billion, or nearly one-sixth of the world’s population.

Madeleine McCann was a British girl, born and bred in England, a land
famed the world over for its freedoms, including the right of free
speech. Yet Dr Amaral’s book cannot be published and sold in this
country. Indeed, not only that, former Madeleine Foundation Secretary
Tony Bennett currently faces a term of imprisonment for, amongst other
things, referring to that book. In July 2010, for example, the Madeleine
Foundation published a leaflet about Dr Goncalo Amaral, in which this
statement appeared:

“In ‘The Truth About A Lie’, Dr Amaral explains why he and his team
had good grounds for believing Madeleine had died in her parents’
apartment and covered up her death”.

That was and is a true – 100% factual statement. Yet as The Madeleine
Foundation reported last year, the McCanns believe that the British
public should not even be able to read that sentence. Carter-Ruck told
the Madeleine Foundation that that sentence in their leaflet was
libellous.

The world has turned upside down. Over a billion people worldwide can
read the account by the initial senior detective in the case of the
history of, conclusions arrived at, in his investigation.

But the people in the land where Madeleine was born, so the McCanns say, should not be allowed to read it.

There are in fact translations of Dr Amaral’s book available on the
internet. Such is the power of the McCanns’ lawyers, Carter-Ruck,
however, that we are not sure if we can give you the links here. So we
won’t.

But what we can and will do is reproduce those parts of the
Portuguese Appeal Court’s judgment which explain just how widely in the
world Dr Amaral’s book can be bought and read:

EXTRACTS FROM THE JUDGMENT OF THE COURT OF APPEAL
IN PORTUGAL - IN THE CASE OF McCANNS -v- AMARAL

On 24 July 2008, the defendant Dr Goncalo Amaral first published his book, through publishers Guerra e Paz.

In that book, Dr Amaral put forward the following hypothesis:

· That the child Madeleine McCann died in the Ocean Club apartment G5A in Vila da Luz, on the evening of 3 May 2007
· That the McCanns and their friends fabricated an abduction
· That Dr Kate Healy and Dr Gerald McCann are suspected of involvement in the concealment of their daughter’s body
· That the death may have been the outcome of a tragic accident
· That there are indications of neglect of the care and safety of the children.

Dr Amaral’s book was published in four editions by the end of July, a
further nine by the end of August, and another 12 by end of September.
Each edition was of around 10,000 copies. [Thus, in all, around 250,000
copies were printed]. At the time of our decision, the book had been
sold out at practically all points of sale.

When the book was published, Dr Amaral gave an interview to the
newspaper Correia da Manha, published on 24 July 2008. In that
interview, he explained his analysis of the case. He also gave
interviews later to all other media that asked him for an interview,
each time defending the book’s thesis.

At the beginning of May 2009, Dr Amaral published his book in France,
this time under the title: ‘Maddie, L’Enquete interdite: Les
revelations du commissaire portugais charge de l’enquete [The
revelations of the Portuguese co-ordinator of the investigation].

Dr Amaral also gave countless interviews to several media in France,
including the one that was published by Le Parisien newspaper in both
its paper and online editions. In those interviews, Dr Amaral continued
to promote his hypothesis on the case. The book’s French edition was,
and continues to be, systematically and prolifically promoted on the
internet, for example on the following websites: [a long list of
websites follows] .

Between the date when the Portuguese edition was published [24 July
2008] and the date of the book’s French edition [May 2009], Televisao
Independente (TVI) broadcast a TV programme produced by Valentim de
Carvalho for the company Filmes, Audiovisuais, SA [FASA], who hold the
copyright of the documentary.

The first transmission of that programme was on 13 April 2009, the
second on 12 May 2009. This programme was essentially based on the
contents of Dr Amaral’s book: ‘Maddie: The Truth About A Lie’. In that
documentary, Dr Amaral appears and continues to advance his theory (a)
that Madeleine is no longer alive (b) that her death occurred within
their Ocean Club apartment, and (c) that her parents, the McCanns,
concealed their daughter’s body.

At least 2,200,000 people viewed the first screening of this programme.

At the end of April 2009, a DVD of the programme was made, with the
following title and subtitle: ‘Maddie – The Truth About A Lie: A
powerful documentary based on the best-seller ‘The Truth About A Lie’ by
Goncalo Amaral. Already, 75,000 copies of this DVD have been
distributed for sale. The DVD is published on FASA’s website.

All the actions within the investigation that Dr Amaral reports in
his book are documented within the investigation file. Not only that,
but the investigation documents were also made available in electronic
format, not only to the national media, but to international media.
These media proceeded to divulge the contents of the reports and
statements from the investigation file. This publication of the
electronic reports naturally enabled knowledge of the facts of the
investigation to be circulated. Public comments were made and soon there
was universal discussion of the contents of the investigation file. Any
individual in the world can have access to these facts and to the
documents of the investigation which enabled the facts of the
investigation to be verified. All of this was only a click on the mouse
away.

The friends of the McCanns did not make themselves available in
Portugal to attend a reconstruction [of the events of 3 May 2007]. This
is all documented on pages 4,636 to 4,638 of Volume XII of the
‘Investigation Processos’ files, complied by the Prosecutor’s office.

Dr Amaral’s book was published, through other editors, in several countries, as well as in France, as we referred to above.

The publications occurred as follows:

· In Spain, September 2008, titled ‘Maddie – La verdad de la mentira’
· This was distributed in the Spanish/Castilian language in Spanish-speaking Latin American countries
· In Denmark, in November 200, titled ‘Maddie – Sandheden on Lognem’.
· This Danish edition was then published in the Nordic countries of Norway and Sweden
· In Italy, December 2008, titled ‘Maddie – La Verita della Menzonga’.
· That edition was distributed in Italian-speaking countries all over the world
· In Holland, April 2009, titled ‘Maddie – De Waarheide Achter de Leugen’.
· That was distributed in Dutch-speaking countries throughout the world
· In Germany, in June 2009, with the tile: ‘Maddie – De Wahrheit uber die Luge’
· This was also distributed in German-speaking countries, including Austria and Switzerland.
· There is also an English version circulating on the internet, on
the web site www.gerrymccannsblogs.co.uk/PJ/TRANSLATIONS.htm , where a
Portuguese version can also be found.

Published by the Madeleine McCann Research Group, 14 February 2012

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Oldartform wrote:Thanks Chrissie.

For me, it takes someone like Hardlinemarxist`s perspective - to stand back and look at things from a broader view and see how absolutely ridiculous the situation is.

For most of us viewing daily the intricacies of what he said, what she said, what he didn`t say, where they didn`t go etc., although important when putting things under the microscope, its equally important to stand way back (or way up high) and see how preposterous the Mcs actions are and what terrible things they are getting away with from a world view.

Quite right Oldartform, looking at the case in the whole, the intricasies are manifold and hard to fathom: there is a preposterousness to the whole story of abduction. There is now a mythology and an orthodoxy in certain places - the higher up echelons of establishment and at the lowest level of tabloid journalism which wants to keep the abduction scenario and the suffering of the parents as being unquestioned - even, as per the Leveson Inquiry, a scourge with which to beat the media and any naysayers. No contrary evidence or point of view is allowed - there is evidence - but no will to take that evidence further and fully test what the police in Portugal and England suspect.

Why should that be? We would think it exceedingly odd if a Portuguese girl was reported abducted in Cornwall, no evidence of abduction found, the Portuguese ambassador rushes to Cornwall, the Portuguese send political PR experts to the scene, Portuguese dogs (if they had them) sniffed out cadaver smells and found blood where they shouldn't have etc, etc.

Yet Dr Amaral’s book cannot be published and sold in this
country.

Why not? It's not banned. It maybe that publishers won't publish it as there is the ongoing action in Portugal but otherwise there is no prohibition on it unless someone else knows different.

mahlersghost wrote:

Oldartform wrote:Thanks Chrissie.

For me, it takes someone like Hardlinemarxist`s perspective - to stand back and look at things from a broader view and see how absolutely ridiculous the situation is.

For most of us viewing daily the intricacies of what he said, what she said, what he didn`t say, where they didn`t go etc., although important when putting things under the microscope, its equally important to stand way back (or way up high) and see how preposterous the Mcs actions are and what terrible things they are getting away with from a world view.

Quite right Oldartform, looking at the case in the whole, the intricasies are manifold and hard to fathom: there is a preposterousness to the whole story of abduction. There is now a mythology and an orthodoxy in certain places - the higher up echelons of establishment and at the lowest level of tabloid journalism which wants to keep the abduction scenario and the suffering of the parents as being unquestioned - even, as per the Leveson Inquiry, a scourge with which to beat the media and any naysayers. No contrary evidence or point of view is allowed - there is evidence - but no will to take that evidence further and fully test what the police in Portugal and England suspect.

Why should that be? We would think it exceedingly odd if a Portuguese girl was reported abducted in Cornwall, no evidence of abduction found, the Portuguese ambassador rushes to Cornwall, the Portuguese send political PR experts to the scene, Portuguese dogs (if they had them) sniffed out cadaver smells and found blood where they shouldn't have etc, etc.

Your `reverse countries` scenario highlights things clearly - I think one has to do this to keep on the level and be objective.

As to `why should that be?` - I suppose one could look at how things might have developed if Goncalo had not been removed from the case - its a starting point at least. And who had most to lose if Goncalo had been allowed to continue with his investigation?

I'm quite sure they would LOVE to publish the book but are too scared ....it would sell millions....


why doesnt he start in the USA.....

kitti wrote:I'm quite sure they would LOVE to publish the book but are too scared ....it would sell millions....


why doesnt he start in the USA.....

Hi kitti, maybe he wants to wait until after the Trial and has a translation ready .....there you go, AnnaEsse could make a few bob.

What are the McCanns so afraid of that they dont want the book published in the uk. Is it because they use the press, PR, books and news bulletins to reinforce their varied accounts, and are concerned that the same might happen with Dr Goncalo Amarals book. Let me have the chance to make my own mind up. Im over 18, im sane, i can read, i read KGs bewk, im sure i can afford GAs book, so let me read it in English in book form in the UK.

tanszi wrote:What are the McCanns so afraid of that they dont want the book published in the uk. Is it because they use the press, PR, books and news bulletins to reinforce their varied accounts, and are concerned that the same might happen with Dr Goncalo Amarals book. Let me have the chance to make my own mind up. Im over 18, im sane, i can read, i read KGs bewk, im sure i can afford GAs book, so let me read it in English in book form in the UK.

Once TM allow Dr Amaral's views to hit mainstream UK, then the lid gets blown off the Gaspar statements.... and that'll do the whole sleazy bunch of them in, in one foul swoop (imo).

If it got out that a fellow doctor reported one of the tapasniks to the police as a suspected paedophile, and claimed he was making salacious comments about Maddie to her father, then boom.... the whole sordid version of events blows up in their faces. This is where their number one worry and priority lies imho.

Chris wrote:

Yet Dr Amaral’s book cannot be published and sold in this
country.

Why not? It's not banned. It maybe that publishers won't publish it as there is the ongoing action in Portugal but otherwise there is no prohibition on it unless someone else knows different.

Nobody knows different. The book has not been officially translated into the English language and has not been published in any English-speaking market. It is clearly a decision that has been taken by the publishers and Dr. Amaral. I wouldn't want to speculate about that, they may have very good reasons for not publishing, but it is giving a completely wrong impression to maintain that the rest of the world has access to the book and it is only the British who do not.

I'm sure I read somewhere ages ago that GA couldn't get a lawyer in this country so that he could tackle the shocking articles etc in the UK media. Don't think I've dreamt that, but can't remember where it was, either press or net.

Home /our clients /case studies /McCann Family /
McCann Family
We helped the McCann family deal with the media storm which surrounded them on their return from Portugal in September 2007. From scratch, we created a comprehensive media handling package within six hours which enabled us to handle 850 media calls in the first week. By giving journalists POSITIVE stories to report, coverage turned from hostility to the McCanns to sympathy about their ordeal. This campaign won the crisis communication category at the 2008 CIPR awards.



That says it all really as to WHY only positive stories were reported as the press were only fed positive things to print.

Well, perhaps we should start feeding the Press some factual things, starting with Hi-de-Ho's latest fabulous effort (qv)