A deceiving web · Issue 844, by Julia McWatt

The internet provides a forum of communication but easily becomes a forum of exploitation

We have all been affected, disturbed and perhaps even perplexed by the disappearance of Madeline McCann, the story that has dominated the press for the past fortnight. Madeline, who turned four on May 13, was taken from her room in a holiday apartment where her family were staying on holiday in the Algarve, Portugal.

Media coverage has been devoted to finding her but only one suspect has been questioned: Robert Murat, 33, a police interpreter who aided in the investigation and spoke to reporters soon after Madeline’s disappearance.

Murat has not been charged, suggesting that the police have no conclusive evidence to find Madeline or her captor. As a result of this frustration the website findmadeline.com was created by family friend Callum MacRae. It had over 75 million hits within its first 48 hours.

At first glance, this all seems like a proactive idea. The website is an easy way to spread the message of Madeline’s disappearance globally, which widens the search and will hopefully have the effect of aiding the Portuguese police to find her. Donations can also be made to the fund that has been set up in Madeline’s name. Amy, a journalism student at Cardiff, follows the views of many when she says that “the internet is a good idea as it is a medium that virtually everyone uses and it is important to keep this story in the public eye”.

However, it has been tainted by the news that more than 20 companies, including estate agencies and dating sites, have deliberately set up websites with similar names to increase hits for their companies. By doing this they take advantage of people’s generosity; however, this practice is not illegal and they are perfectly entitled to do this, whether moral or not.

This leads to the question of whether technology can be of use in appeals such as Madeleine’s or whether it is an opportunity for people to exploit the public’s concern. One student added, “it would be good if the businesses were devoting money to the cause but by doing this they are just being selfish”.

Since its development, the internet has been regarded as a 20th century phenomenon, advancing technology beyond comprehension and providing access to almost any kind of information anywhere in the world. It has been used in numerous appeals for soldiers missing in action and other abductions, but Madeleine has been the most widely visited and the site has become one of the most popular on the internet.

In the case of Madeline, it spreads the word of her disappearance and can provide developments and updates of the investigation; information which can be provided much quicker than nightly news reports or daily newspapers.

The internet acts as a dialogical medium, with contact between users, and the site can be used as a place for people to provide information who would otherwise not be able to contact the right authorities.

However, using the internet for these means leaves it open to abuses and dangers created by the anonymity of users and the freedom given, providing a person merely has access to a computer and an internet connection.

The businesses that have used Madeline’s disappearance are only one example of how the internet can be abused in similar appeals. Websites can easily be changed by users and content can be adapted. People must be wary of the information they receive from the internet, which has become notorious for its unreliability. Facts could easily be changed about appeals which may only hinder an investigation.

There is also the risk of exposing suspects over the internet, making them increasingly vulnerable to attacks from the public and the media whether they are innocent or guilty. Information about these individuals could easily be obtained on the internet, which leaves them unprotected and defenceless. Just the appearance of Robert Murat in the press has led to a trial by the media. Many have inferred guilt upon him and condemned him purely because he is the only named person in the investigation so far, despite no concrete evidence and his continuous denial of any involvement.

The internet can give opportunities to cases such as Madeline’s that other forms of media cannot. With such a diverse audience it is one of the fastest ways to spread a message, and this can be seen with the amount of hits that Madeline’s website has had.

It can also provide a place where concerned citizens can be proactive or express their support. However, it will always be subject to abuses from people who will seize any opportunity to aid their business plans, whether ethical or not.

The overall aim though is to spread the message to many in order to find a missing innocent little girl, and if it succeeds in that there cannot be much criticism of using the web as a means of appealing for her safety. Any criticism needs to be aimed at those exploiting a tragic situation which we can only hope has a positive outcome.