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AIBU?

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Original poster

Should this really have been shown on the lunchtime news?

156 replies

EasterBump · 05/05/2009 15:47

I was totally shocked & unprepared to witness those scenes of Marnie Pearce saying goodbye to her children on the lunchtime news today.

I have not followed her case in any level of detail, but surely there are no circumstances that can excuse putting innoccent children through that?

There's a link to the footage here.

Just as a kind of warning, I found it particularly harrowing. Not sure it should really have been shown on the lunchtime news without some kind of a warning really.

OP posts:
Thunderduck · 05/05/2009 15:49

Yes it should have been shown. It's the news.
Distressing as it is there have been far worse and far more graphic things shown on the news during the day.

MissPiggyHasTheFlu · 05/05/2009 15:51

This woman is in an awful situation and you're upset about seeing what is literally tearing her apart.

Greensneeze · 05/05/2009 15:52

She's not in any less awful a situation because it's being shown on the lunchtime news though, is she?

Damn right it shouldn't have been on.

Saltire · 05/05/2009 15:53

If you're upset by it then think how she must be feeling. poor woman

Madmentalbint · 05/05/2009 15:53

Yes, I agree that it was horrible to watch, very upsetting and traumatic for those poor children and their mother. I think YABU to think it shouldn't be shown on the news though.

The news is hardly ever easy viewing because of the nature of the programme. It would be no good having a news programme that couldn't report on anything upsetting.

Greensneeze · 05/05/2009 15:53
Pinkjenny · 05/05/2009 15:53

Makes me feel sick to my stomach. Horrendous.

LauriefairycakeeatsCupid · 05/05/2009 15:54

No, I don't think showing the children's faces or their distress should be shown.

If it was just her crying separate from the children then fine as she's an adult.

Original poster
EasterBump · 05/05/2009 15:56

Witnessing such raw grief of an adult I thought was hard enough to watch, but seeing the children going through such an ordeal, I personally found too much to bear.

Although it may well go some way to further her cause, which I suppose can only be a good thing.

OP posts:
Hulababy · 05/05/2009 15:57

They should definitely have a warning to ensure viewers knew they would see something distressing. The news have certainly given out such warnings in the past, so could do here.

I have seen the footage previously and it is harrowing.

Sassybeast · 05/05/2009 15:57

So has it shocked you enough to find out about what she and her children have gone through ? Or motivated you enough to find out if there is anything you can do to help ? If so, then of cousre it should have been shown.

If all it's done is upset your cosy little world and made you cry about the horror that this woman and children are living through and there for the grace of god go you - well shame on the news for actually reporting the truth. Nasty beasts upsetting folks

Much better to stick to hysterical headlines about swine flu perhaps ?

BTW - does anyone know what's happened to Armageddon Flu ? I expected the world to have ended by now ?

Thunderduck · 05/05/2009 16:01

Aren't such warnings normally reserved for graphic footage?

pramspotter · 05/05/2009 16:03

Isn't there anything the government could do to help? I don't know the ins and outs of the situation but I'd start a goddamn war over that bullshit if I was the leader of her home country.

ThePhantomPlopper · 05/05/2009 16:03

It was hard to watch, hopefully seeing this will make people more aware of what is going on though.

WorzselMummage · 05/05/2009 16:04

I watched the first half of the footage a month or so ago when it was on the Sun website. I have signed the petitions etc.

It had me sobbing my heart out, i couldnt watch it to the end

I don't know whether they should be shown or not. Its a difficult dilemma

LauriefairycakeeatsCupid · 05/05/2009 16:05

erm.....we would be very ill-advised to start a war with Dubai. Best we can hope for is diplomatic resolution.

There is a different culture there where meeting up with someone of the opposite sex is adultery if you are married (or separated)

Buda · 05/05/2009 16:06

I wonder why it was shown now - it's been on line for ages.

bumpyboo · 05/05/2009 16:09

blogs.amnesty.org.uk/blogs_entry.asp?eid=2782

link here to an appeal

Sassybeast · 05/05/2009 16:10

Buda I suspect it's been shown now as she has been given leave to fight for custody - presumably because of 'some' of the pressure that has been exerted on her behalf. Previously, she was to have been deported immediately after being released from prison. So the situation is looking a little more hopeful than it was even a few weeks ago.

Her official site :

www.costapages.com/savemarniesbabies/index.htm

firstontheway · 05/05/2009 16:16

I have no interest in getting into this debate, but that was the worst thing I've seen for a very long time

pramspotter · 05/05/2009 16:22

Laurie the war thing was said tongue in cheek to illustrate how I feel after viewing that vid.

nappyaddict · 05/05/2009 16:24

I really hope she wins custody of them.

nappyaddict · 05/05/2009 16:24

I really hope she wins custody of them.

LauriefairycakeeatsCupid · 05/05/2009 16:24

ah..ok

Ripeberry · 05/05/2009 16:25

Just never marry a Muslim or live in Dubai if you're not prepared to be the "perfect" wife and not talk to any unrelated man.