Natalee Case Discussion #740 3/5 - 3/7/08

[Bladerunner]

I have been doing a little scholarly research you could say and came across this very insightful journal article. I don't know if many of you have read this or seen it before but I present it here in its entirety:


Title: A Media Circus in Paradise. By: Wolfson, Hannah, American Journalism Review, 10678654, Aug/Sep2005, Vol. 27, Issue 4
Database: Communication & Mass Media CompleteA Media Circus in Paradise
Contents
The Distressed Treatment
Section: DROP CAP
LETTER FROM ARUBA

An Alabama reporter discovers the press doesn't quite shine in the Caribbean sun

It's the first news conference, and the police superintendent can't find the keys. But no one's told TV. One by one, the camera crews push closer, reporters from CNN and Fox News squeezing onto the narrow sidewalk between a line of parked cars and the locked door of the police annex. Jan van der Straaten, the man in charge of Aruba's investigation into Natalee Holloway's disappearance, is stuck, and soon he's sweating in the Caribbean sun.

A few locals slow down as they drive by to see what's happening while uniformed officers smirk outside the main police station across the street. Finally the door opens and everyone tumbles inside, following van der Straaten up a narrow stairway.

Welcome to the media circus, Aruba style.

OK, I'm just a novice, a print reporter from Alabama covering what started out as a hometown story about a missing teen and mushroomed into nonstop national news. Maybe the crews that converge on events like the Michael Jackson trial and the Runaway Bride are always like this. Maybe it was just the bright tropical light and the strangeness of working in paradise that made things look so absurd. All I know is, after nine days in Aruba, I see what we in the media do--and I say we with great trepidation--in a whole new light.

In fact, looking at it from the Arubans' perspective, I'm a little confused about what we do. Most of the job seems to consist of waiting around in hotel lobbies and seeing who can shout the loudest at news conferences.

There were certainly plenty of us crammed into those daily sessions in the peaked attic room of the police annex. There were a handful of local teams from Birmingham and international crews shipped from Latin America. Then came the bookers and the producers, vying for exclusives with the cloistered mother. Then the shows with dramatic theme music, in crews as large as five. And of course, the Aruban print and radio reporters, who quickly became everyone's favorite sources of speculation.
In the early days, there was plenty to cover. The Royal Dutch Marines searched the beaches while helicopters scanned overhead. Hundreds of locals were herded onto tour buses to help with the hunt. Sources were willing to talk, suspects were arrested, and officials gave tempting hints like, "Hold your breath for 24 hours." The networks sent their satellites and set them up on the roofs of hotels, settling in for the long haul.

Then things started to get weird.

First, CNN ran a report on the island's crack dens and prostitution. Local tourism authorities were outraged. So were a couple of the local reporters, who accused the American press of sabotaging Aruba's economy. By the end of week two, it seemed half of each news conference was dedicated to berating the American press. Even the family's PR agent, who originally represented the tourism authority, was accused of a conflict of interest.

We Americans didn't do ourselves proud, either. Fed up with officials' choice to conduct the first half of each news conference in Papiamento, the local language, some crews took to shouting "English, English!" during the Q-and-A.

Along with Papiamento, Arubans speak English, Spanish and Dutch, but their legal system caused tricky translations. When the first two suspects were arrested (they were later released), the chief prosecutor said they'd been charged with a range of crimes, including murder. A day later, we found ourselves redefining the meaning of "charged" to say first "formally accused" and later "suspected." It turns out they can hold suspects for months without charging them. On July 1, more than a month after Holloway disappeared, the Associated Press had to clarify a story in which the same prosecutor was again quoted as saying three suspects had been charged.

Some of the mistakes were harder to explain. Late one Friday night, CNN reported that at least one of the suspects had confessed. AP quickly followed with a report that he was leading police to the evidence. Moments later, a half dozen news crews sped down a pitch-dark dirt road toward an abandoned beach where police were supposedly digging up a body. Nothing. Officials ranging from the original source right up to the prime minister quickly denied the initial reports.

As guiltily competitive as the rest, I crept out later that night with a Birmingham television crew that was filming distant, spotty footage of men digging in the dunes--probably just local bootleggers pulling up their stash of booze.

Theories abound as to why the media became obsessed with Natalee Holloway's story. It involved a beautiful, blond honor student with influential parents; it occurred in an exotic locale; it started while the jury was out on Jacko. Granted, much of the interest back home stemmed from honest concern about a family's loss. Natalee's mother, Beth Twitty, insisted her daughter represented something perfect and innocent that was lost, a fear that touches the heart of any parent. The outpourings of support in Natalee's hometown and on the island were real, even if they were on camera.

But it also seems the sheer lack of information also spurred the story, because it left plenty of room for speculation, especially as the case progressed. (Aruban officials said releasing details of the investigation could cause a judge to throw out their case.) Natalee had been sold into white slavery, the blogs said. Natalee had run away on a previous trip abroad, Aruban radio countered. Fellow graduates who were on the trip refused to talk: conspiracy! The lead suspect's dad is a judge: conspiracy! My favorite theory came from Aruban reporters who thought police staged the false leak about a confession to discredit American news sources.
Back home in the newsroom, I continued reporting the story by phone as my Aruba tan faded, trying to confirm information as it flashed on TV. Again and again, I heard sources on the other end sigh and say, "No, that's not right." I watched the same television personality who "broke" the news about bloodstains in a suspect's car--which turned out not to be bloodstains--criticize authorities for taking Holloway's family on an emotional rollercoaster. But who's really driving?

The Distressed Treatment
"A damsel must be white. This requirement is nonnegotiable. It helps if her frame is of dimensions that breathless cable television reporters can credibly describe as 'petite.'… She must be attractive--also nonnegotiable. Her economic status should be middle class or higher, but an exception can be made in the case of wartime (see: [Jessica] Lynch).

"Put all this together, and you get 24-7 coverage."

--Washington Post columnist Eugene
Robinson, writing on the media's
and the nation's obsession with
white damsels in distress

PHOTO (COLOR): One tiny piece of the media circus: A U.S. television news crew interviews Beth Twitty (center), mother of missing teen Natalee Holloway, in Oranjestad, Aruba. (In the background on this page is a poster released by the Holloway family.)

~~~~~~~~

By Hannah Wolfson


Wolfson covers the city of Mountain Brook, Alabama, Holloway's hometown, for the Birmingham News.

I forgot to highlight some key parts of this article.

[caesu]

[caesu]

BREAKING NEWS[/b][/color]

http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/3487159/__Ik_weet_wie_Natalee_in_zee_gooide___.html

http://www.revu.nl/10865.Ook_Van_der_Eem_stiekem_gefilmd

"I know who dumped Natalee in the sea"

about the secret taping of Patrick on Telearuba program.

[GBMW]

A very rough translation Poentje / Patrick van der Eem (sorry don't have time to really look into right now...I'm also working :

OPENING UN DIA PINE BIDA Father: ,.......zie you, however, you feel it.
PATRICK no, no, no, but that are it correctly, understand je... but look....
ANNOUNCER: But do you approach me differently than all other persons who you have spoken so far?
PATRICK yes!
PATRICK but actual well, get je....zoals I from the beginning had have been said... ANNOUNCER: If you give your e-mail address and phone number me, then take I contact with you and I by means of e-mail will let know how late it starts exactly and on which Internet site is possible you correct to examine it.
PATRICK my number is 0031....
ANNOUNCER: Under which name do have place I this sukkel? PATRICK closed black ditch.hahahaha..nee..eigen in the ditch.
PATRICK 0031,6107 209....
ANNOUNCER: How many minutes twist you already Riche? Riche: 17 minutes.. ANNOUNCER: Oh, I thought that I was already for 15 minutes to for talking, ah we can still much more chatter.hahaha...
PATRICK I found that, however, spirituously. A
NNOUNCER: If we have enough time still so much, then I like, however, a biertje, do you do want there also one? PATRICK no, no, thanks je... 209 **
ANNOUNCER: Do you do want then no orange juice or something else then?
PATRICK no, no.dank you, I must this way direct with the children there vandoor. ANNOUNCER: This is your number?
PATRICK yes, these are my number
ANNOUNCER: What is you e-mail?
PATRICK P******@planet.nl
ANNOUNCER: Okay.
PATRICK well, but the information exchange with the police force had gone well and they have much information to their beschikking...... (discontinuance)..
ANNOUNCER: takes along my biertje for me.
ANNOUNCER: Yes he..Patrick I you what to tell have rolled..ik in this matter, but the matter did not please me.....
ANNOUNCER: If you want, you can dry yourself face.. PATRICK no, no.ga your pace maar....ik leave this way directly..
ANNOUNCER: And uhm..van all information which they have to their arrangement, was scarcely used.
PATRICK From Joran?
ANNOUNCER: No....wat with Natalee have happened and where nobody makes himself very for.
ANNOUNCER: Information which therefore possibly useful is.....hoe long course this matter already? Three years? Nou dan... the certain about two and a half, perhaps almost three years old.
PATRICK Yes... in May are the three years hear.
ANNOUNCER: Thus, it is not this way that I say that nothing has happened, but as long as the lawsuit runs still, I do leave all options
PATRICK open but what finds you of it yourself? Has it happened on the range or at home? ANNOUNCER: Yes but..weet you what it is..ik have the feeling which if you are with someone for talking, all energy of that person is drawn to your. And you have lived with this boy. He is therefore still spiritual in your present and as a result, has I the feeling which I will doubt to mezelf if I am with your for talking. I feel therefore that you make me uncertain. A feeling which I have experienced never earlier. What I on television saw an incredibly role game was. He had you simply. He knew that you were in search of information and played then cunning to realise this way the closed deal. And the moment you think that you the some are the information gathered with, the contents have been elsewhere differently formulated already. Also if I now against your for talking am, I have the feeling that *** *** **, understand you what I mean?
PATRICK yes..maar look.. since I him knows already so many years, could not produce I it to live whereas with meself, I knew that he involved were and simply the feeling had that I had do something. Get you? He simply need its voice would have let hear and I has used there. For seven months. At the second time that they had looked up him I could gather most of the information.
ANNOUNCER: You then they means him had apprehended?
PATRICK no, them him had locked up keertje and had locked up, but I was in the Netherlands whereas I was for the matter for working. It was on Wednesday and we would start on Monday.
ANNOUNCER: Oh, yes, yes..
PATRICK I have considered even everything, how the surroundings had be arranged with microfoontjes and plants. Of verscholen mini-cameraatjes in plants to even the Internet - and tel. connection which products drawn off. But I you what to tell; he spends a lot of money.
ANNOUNCER: Which parties have been involved if it comes on disbursements. I you say to PATRICK that, however.. I give the same to both parties, but it is a large group. The press gets what but also the police constables concerned. Look, if there occurs a problem of such magnitude on Aruba, then people will get another representation of him, because what he says all ordinary incredibly is.
ANNOUNCER: Yes, it will continue himself repeat.

PATRICK yes, and the complete representation of him will become therefore still more terrible.
PATRICK I will say something you..er are something strange going with the tale concerning those other boys.
PATRICK but I know who threw the body in the ocean


TO BE CONTINUED Comment of Me leaves firstly next clarifying what sees you smoking Patrick in the film is no drugs, but simply a cigarette. And I did not smell also. This small film is concluded with "to be continued" because coming Thursday the whole film is transmitted. It is a film in which much obscene words are spoken, but were the only be able be felt manner Patrick at its ease and "or the record" a conversation to hold. Furthermore this small film has been taken purely incidental and the time further course will stipulate. But coming Thursday, for 21.00 the small film in its whole will be transmitted on Tele Aruba. But because we are still in negotiation with the Netherlands and America for obtaining the necessary uitzendrechten, in which the other side of the medal will be illuminated, in which Mr. had lured Van of the Joran in a car, for as such to information at to come which was zojuist shown. Coming Thursday it will be shown in 20 minutes lasting small film what Mr. Van of the Eem to information has been possible gather from Joran of the ditch.

Locking video fragment:

PATRICK one day he will fall on his face. Your weet not where the other family members are busy. I will ensure that their whole life is embittered. I have more than 120 sms-berichten to my arrangement.
ANNOUNCER: How do we know that this not a trap is between you, *** and Joran? PATRICK when you come to the Netherlands, then I you, however, what to show..haha END PRESENTATION TITLE: UN DIA PINE BIDA

[klaasend]

BREAKING NEWS[/b][/color]

http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/3487159/__Ik_weet_wie_Natalee_in_zee_gooide___.html

http://www.revu.nl/10865.Ook_Van_der_Eem_stiekem_gefilmd

"I know who dumped Natalee in the sea"

about the secret taping of Patrick on Telearuba program.

"I know who Natalee threw into the sea '
By our reporters
ORANJESTAD (Aruba) - Patrick van der Eem, Joran van der Sloot for hidden cameras in the fall attracted demonstrated himself to be filmed secretly.
   
 

After an interview on Aruba with a local television station showed Van der Eem a number of spicy statements ontlokken, because he thought that cameras had been stopped.

"I know who the body is thrown into the sea," says Van der Eem in Papiaments against the Aruban interviewer. "Joran asked me to 2000 euro for that man to be silent," said van der Eem during the secretly recorded discussion.

The undercover criminal claims that he has the whole operation itself organized. "I have even invented everything, how the environment had to be equipped with microphones and plants. From minicameraatjes hidden in plants to even the Internet and telephone that were drained. "

Van der Eem also says that he expects to be a millionaire by the whole thing. "And I will make sure that Joran and his entire family in their mouth. They can better emigrate to Africa, "Van der Eem threatening.

The interview took place at the end of last month in response to the book that Van der Eem by an American journalist late. The interviewer from the station Un Dia Den Bida face of this newspaper: "I had two cameras included. After the interview I had an off and the other doordraaien. Van der Eem knew that not only was it simply answer my questions. "

The complete interview will be broadcast tonight on the Aruban television. Patrick van der Eem is now back in the Netherlands yesterday and was not reachable for comment.

Nieuwe Revu Meanwhile showed the filpmjes translate. The transcription of the document can be found here. The key passages are shown in bold.

[Bladerunner]

Thnaks for that!  These comments are really intersting if I'm getting the translation right:

PATRICK yes, and the complete representation of him will become therefore still more terrible.
PATRICK I will say something you..er are something strange going with the tale concerning those other boys. PATRICK but I know who threw the body in the ocean


TO BE CONTINUED Comment of Me leaves firstly next clarifying what sees you smoking Patrick in the film is no drugs, but simply a cigarette. And I did not smell also. This small film is concluded with "to be continued" because coming Thursday the whole film is transmitted. It is a film in which much obscene words are spoken, but were the only be able be felt manner Patrick at its ease and "or the record" a conversation to hold. Furthermore this small film has been taken purely incidental and the time further course will stipulate. But coming Thursday, for 21.00 the small film in its whole will be transmitted on Tele Aruba. But because we are still in negotiation with the Netherlands and America for obtaining the necessary uitzendrechten, in which the other side of the medal will be illuminated, in which Mr. had lured Van of the Joran in a car, for as such to information at to come which was zojuist shown. Coming Thursday it will be shown in 20 minutes lasting small film what Mr. Van of the Eem to information has been possible gather from Joran of the ditch. Locking video fragment:

PATRICK one day he will fall on his face. Your weet not where the other family members are busy. I will ensure that their whole life is embittered. I have more than 120 sms-berichten to my arrangement.
ANNOUNCER: How do we know that this not a trap is between you, *** and Joran? PATRICK when you come to the Netherlands, then I you, however, what to show..haha END PRESENTATION TITLE: UN DIA PINE BIDA

[Bladerunner]

BREAKING NEWS[/b][/color]

http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/3487159/__Ik_weet_wie_Natalee_in_zee_gooide___.html

http://www.revu.nl/10865.Ook_Van_der_Eem_stiekem_gefilmd

"I know who dumped Natalee in the sea"

about the secret taping of Patrick on Telearuba program.

"I know who Natalee threw into the sea '
By our reporters
ORANJESTAD (Aruba) - Patrick van der Eem, Joran van der Sloot for hidden cameras in the fall attracted demonstrated himself to be filmed secretly.
   
 

After an interview on Aruba with a local television station showed Van der Eem a number of spicy statements ontlokken, because he thought that cameras had been stopped.

"I know who the body is thrown into the sea," says Van der Eem in Papiaments against the Aruban interviewer. "Joran asked me to 2000 euro for that man to be silent," said van der Eem during the secretly recorded discussion.

The undercover criminal claims that he has the whole operation itself organized. "I have even invented everything, how the environment had to be equipped with microphones and plants. From minicameraatjes hidden in plants to even the Internet and telephone that were drained. "

Van der Eem also says that he expects to be a millionaire by the whole thing. "And I will make sure that Joran and his entire family in their mouth. They can better emigrate to Africa, "Van der Eem threatening.

The interview took place at the end of last month in response to the book that Van der Eem by an American journalist late. The interviewer from the station Un Dia Den Bida face of this newspaper: "I had two cameras included. After the interview I had an off and the other doordraaien. Van der Eem knew that not only was it simply answer my questions. "

The complete interview will be broadcast tonight on the Aruban television. Patrick van der Eem is now back in the Netherlands yesterday and was not reachable for comment.

Nieuwe Revu Meanwhile showed the filpmjes translate. The transcription of the document can be found here. The key passages are shown in bold.

So did Patrick say that Joran asked him for $2000 euros to pay off the person that helped him dispose of the body? This is confusing! Does it also say that he was going to record that transfer of money with hidden microphones?

[caesu]

main points:

-patrick knew joran for years - they didn't meet in the casino for the first time
-it was patrick plan with the microphones between plants (as in indoor plants) and the micro-camera's. also the tapping of internet and phone connections.
-a lot of parties are involved. the press but also police-officers.
-patrick says there is something strange going on with the other boys (the kalpoe brothers???)
-patrick knows who threy the body in the sea

host asks: how do we know this is not all a trap set up by you and joran?

patrick says: when you come to the netherlands you will see, hahaha



---------------------
revu is a tabloid magazine.
and stan de jong who co-wrote this is an enemy of peter r. de vries.
stan de jong also writes on witheet, steve brown also writes there.

but this is quite bad. i am sure peter r. will write something on his site soon.
maybe patrick is also going to say that he lied all this to the aruban tv.

[Bladerunner]

ANYBODY HERE

 

[Bladerunner]

main points:

-patrick knew joran for years - they didn't meet in the casino for the first time
-it was patrick plan with the microphones between plants (as in indoor plants) and the micro-camera's. also the tapping of internet and phone connections.
-a lot of parties are involved. the press but also police-officers.
-patrick says there is something strange going on with the other boys (the kalpoe brothers???)
-patrick knows who threy the body in the sea

host asks: how do we know this is not all a trap set up by you and joran?

patrick says: when you come to the netherlands you will see, hahaha



---------------------
revu is a tabloid magazine.
and stan de jong who co-wrote this is an enemy of peter r. de vries.
stan de jong also writes on witheet, steve brown also writes there.

but this is quite bad. i am sure peter r. will write something on his site soon.
maybe patrick is also going to say that he lied all this to the aruban tv.

Is this a positive or a negative for the case?

[Kimmy53]

I'm here,but my mind is going 

Is this saying Patrick is playing everyone?  is he playing games?

[Bladerunner]

I'm here,but my mind is going 

Is this saying Patrick is playing everyone?  is he playing games?

I can't follow this at all!

[Dayhiker]

ANYBODY HERE

 

I'm here BR, still trying to digest this with my morning grits:

"I know who dumped Natalee in the sea"

 

[GBMW]

- maybe he meant he knew the case for years (instead of knowing Joran for years)....was familiar with it?
- Patrick probably tried to set up Joran himself and asked / paid a lot of people for help including police?
- the trap thing: there are some dots there also...so probably someone else involved too in that question?
- Patrick seems to know a bit more than he's letting on

This is all a bit weird....this case is  just getting more complicated...hopefully the full tape will be aired tonight and translated soon. And hopefully some reactions by Patrick / Peter R. de Vries in the Dutch media tonight!

[Rob]

ANYBODY HERE

 

I'm here BR, still trying to digest this with my morning grits:

"I know who dumped Natalee in the sea"

 

Hi Dayhiker,

Interesting - fer sure.

So, do I have this right? Patrick knows who did it, but has not said yet?

He better spill the boston beans or he might end up in a fish trap.

[Dayhiker]

main points:

-patrick knew joran for years - they didn't meet in the casino for the first time
-it was patrick plan with the microphones between plants (as in indoor plants) and the micro-camera's. also the tapping of internet and phone connections.
-a lot of parties are involved. the press but also police-officers.
-patrick says there is something strange going on with the other boys (the kalpoe brothers???)
-patrick knows who threy the body in the sea

host asks: how do we know this is not all a trap set up by you and joran?

patrick says: when you come to the netherlands you will see, hahaha



---------------------
revu is a tabloid magazine.
and stan de jong who co-wrote this is an enemy of peter r. de vries.
stan de jong also writes on witheet, steve brown also writes there.

but this is quite bad. i am sure peter r. will write something on his site soon.
maybe patrick is also going to say that he lied all this to the aruban tv.

Thanks caesu! To quote an old line, this case just gets "curiouser and curiouser."

[Bladerunner]

- maybe he meant he knew the case for years (instead of knowing Joran for years)....was familiar with it?
- Patrick probably tried to set up Joran himself and asked / paid a lot of people for help including police?
- the trap thing: there are some dots there also...so probably someone else involved too in that question?
- Patrick seems to know a bit more than he's letting on

This is all a bit weird....this case is  just getting more complicated...hopefully the full tape will be aired tonight and translated soon. And hopefully some reactions by Patrick / Peter R. de Vries in the Dutch media tonight!

What about the 2,000 euros, what does that mean?

[Dayhiker]

ANYBODY HERE

 

I'm here BR, still trying to digest this with my morning grits:

"I know who dumped Natalee in the sea"

 

Hi Dayhiker,

Interesting - fer sure.

So, do I have this right? Patrick knows who did it, but has not said yet?

He better spill the boston beans or he might end up in a fish trap.

Morning Bro, yeppers he better be off the island or he'll end up with his head cut off like the furnace worker. 

[Bladerunner]

This is either going to be the biggest break in this case to date, or, a textbook example of what is meant by the phrase "lost in translation!"

 

[klaasend]

ANYBODY HERE

 

I'm here BR, still trying to digest this with my morning grits:

"I know who dumped Natalee in the sea"

 

Hi Dayhiker,

Interesting - fer sure.

So, do I have this right? Patrick knows who did it, but has not said yet?

He better spill the boston beans or he might end up in a fish trap.

Morning Bro, yeppers he better be off the island or he'll end up with his head cut off like the furnace worker. 

He's already off the island.  He was just on the DeVries show yesterday or the day before with Beth.