Enemies of Reason Poundshop potshots at the media moral maze.

Two conflicting stories – so just ignore one of them

I'm not a newspaper, so I won't try to pre-judge an inquest. However, it's worth noting the way in which almost all media have covered the first day of the inquest into Liam Hogan's death.

The facts: Liam Hogan, Mia Hogan and father John Hogan all fell from a balcony at a hotel in Crete. John Hogan was cleared of murder.

At yesterday's inquest, a husband and wife couple told conflicting versions of the story. Sarah Davidson says she thought she saw John Hogan push the children off the balcony. Iain Davidson says he thought he saw John Hohan try to stop the children falling off the balcony.

Guess which witness's opinion gets the headlines?

The Hate:

'Children tried to hold each other as they fell after father pushed them off Crete hotel balcony'

The Scum:

'Horrific shouting ... then he came out between the kids and pushed them off'

Telegraph:

'Children reached out as father pushed them'

A lot of these don't even mention Mr Davidson's contradictory evidence - spoils a good story, I suppose, having some human doubt about the events. Some also mention another witness. The Sun says:

Pal Kerry Jackman, 38, also saw Hogan approach the kiddies from behind after shouting “like a maniac”.

She said: “I looked again and saw two little children coming off the balcony feet-first as if they had been pushed off.

But, according to the local paper*:

When questioned by Avon Coroner Paul Forrest, Ms Jackson said she did not see anyone push them but saw a figure behind them.

The Sun didn't mention that. Why not? Couldn't be bothered?

It seems rather unpleasant. There has clearly been a difference of opinion between witnesses, but that little detail seems just too difficult for newspapers to report - easier and more satisfying, then, to just go with what one person says, regardless of whether it's the truth or not.

This being Web 2.0, let's have some comments from know-it-all numpties on what happened! Mailites, despite not having attended the inquest, know exactly what to think:

I hope Mrs Hogan gets justice for her son. Throwing your children over a balcony is an incredibly shocking and evil thing to do. I hope everybody will restrain themselves from blaming Mrs Hogan for his actions - a friend of mine has just found out that her husband has been having an affair, and he has just left her, and 3 children under 5, for his new woman. She is looking after her children and picking her life up as best she can. And that's what you do.
- Jw, Hants

Why would anyone blame the blameless mother of a dead child? Oh yes, sorry I forgot, this is the Mail isn't it.

The do-gooders wishing Mr. Hogan a "speedy recovery" and telling Natasha Visser to "leave him alone" totally disgust me.
This is a man who acted like a spoilt brat on the face of adversity.
He has shown no remorse for his actions.
- Alex, Dukinfield, UK

Nice up there on that high horse, is it?

I am amazed to find that only four witnesses were called to the Crete trial.
If we have any justice in this country, we will hopefully see Hogan stand trial here in England, after hearing solid evidence from witnesses who saw and heard the whole tragic event.
I just hope that the next few days will bring closure for Natasha and her family.
I also hope for these witnesses, that were probably traumatised then and now,that they can put these terrible events behind them. It's not every day you go on your holidays to relax, after saving all year round, to be confronted by such horrific sights.
- Anon, UK

"I don't know much about this but I reckon he done it so let's put him on trial."

This is the Great British Public. People who sit on juries.

* Though the Bristol (not really Evening as I saw it in the petrol station at 9am) Post decided to follow the herd with the front-page splash of HE PUSHED THEM. Yes yes, I know, I know, headlines aren't the full story, but when the only thing on the page is HE PUSHED THEM, not in quotes, does that seem like an opinion or a fact to you? Does that imply that someone's trying to take a balanced look at the inquest or just arrive at a certain conclusion? If so, why?

*update* The coroner has ruled it's unlawful killing, which is entirely unsurprising. However, what happens next? Will we get the Polly Fillas and Glenda Slaggs blaming the mother of these children? Will we get brainless calls for a court case from the numpties on messageboards? Oh, you bet...

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