for those not fortunate enough to have worked for a tabloid for years, an explanation...

someone comes up with a new twist on a story they want to carry (like anything to do with the McCanns... pretty little girl (photo op)... pretty blonde Mum (photo op)... honest looking Dad...). "How about saying they kept her body in a fridge?".

"Maddie Cops in sick slur" the front page headline screams.

Careful reading of the story reveals a tiny quote from the Portuguese "We are not investigating the parents in any way; the reports are false".

Who cares? They have got their (fictional) story.

I saw it happen time and again.

It's just entertainment, innit?

A while ago I pointed out to my mother the "Second to last paragraph contradicts the rest" of Tabloid journalism.

Since then whenever somebody has a "look at what's in the paper" moment she skips to the end and gleefully points out the "Except it isn't" bit.

This piece of information eventually stopped her buying the Daily Hatemail so it's worth spreading it about

Thats not the only one that's confused today ... take a look at the Express !

Front page headline - Madeline - Stolen by People Smugglers

... then skip inside and emblazoned right across the top of both pages 4 AND 5 - Police : We Know She is Dead ... And When !

(further down the same page is a sub-healine "McCann's fury at being silenced" ....... if only !!!!!)