People News
Malawi father retracts objections to Madonna adoption
Oct 27, 2006, 17:15 GMT
Los Angeles - The father of the Malawi infant to be adopted by pop star Madonna has retracted his objections to the controversial move, telling CNN that journalists prodded him to say things he didn't mean.
He also said he believed the child has a better chance of survival with Madonna than if it were to be sent back to the southern African country.
'I gave my son, David, to Madonna with all my heart, and what is happening does not reflect the truth of the matter. I gave David away and he now belongs to Madonna,' he told CNN.
The statement came after Madonna accused the media of manipulating Yohana Banda, 32, an illiterate peasant farmer whose year-old child David was plucked from an orphanage into Madonna's glamourous lifestyle as she waits for formal approval for adoption.
The infant's mother died soon after childbirth.
Previouslym Banda had claimed that he thought he was only putting the child in Madonna's temporary care rather than placing him for adoption.
But in the CNN interview broadcast Friday, Banda retracted the statements.
'I was forced to say things I didn't mean,' he told CNN. 'The agreement with Madonna in court was correct, but after the agreement some people from NGOs [nongovernmental organizations] and civil society organizations came to me asking me questions and forcing me to answer contrary to what I had agreed with Madonna.'
If Madonna gives David back, he will end up dead like his siblings, Banda said.
'Madonna, whatever is happening, maybe it's because you are famous, that's why all this is happening,' Banda said. 'Please be strong and don't give up the fight. My David will be a good son to you.'
© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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Older Talkback
page: 1
he retracted his statement...I guess that means the check Madonna cut him cleared the bank....what a moron....get over it and let the boy have a life that you could only offer him by running to a orphanage.
Let Madonna alone. Let this new child, 'David' alone so that he may grow strong and become well-educated. So that one day, he can return as a leader to his empoverished people and bring them up out of darkness. These, here, are the times made of legends that our descendents will talk about around their campfires. It won't be too far into the future that we will find amazing the concept of the long-forgotten wheel. It is here and now that we can make a difference.
Madonna didn't have to pay the guy anything. He was just afraid she was becoming angry and might return his son to the orphanage. He heard what she said on TV and decided to repeat the same thing to the media in order to appease her.
He's a good man. He's swallowing his pride and giving up his son so he can have a better life in another country.
It's just too bad there wasn't some way to save the boy's life AND allow him to stay with his father. If, for example, some generous rich person were to donate a few thousand dollars to Yohana, he would be able to get medical care for his son. Maybe he could even get a new wife to take care of him.
The very sad thing is, no such rich person exists.
You can believe he was prodded.
Modern American journalism is all about sensationalism, there is no longer any real desire to capture the actual news, or the truth at all. The old News Organizations are now News Corporations, and with that come shareholders to please, expectations to meet. A policy of sensationalism draws viewers and readers enough to meet or exceed that goal. The shift in modern media has gone from integrity and truth in reporting, to bottom line profits and quarterly earnings. Various books already exist with more in depth study on the topic.
Watching guests throw chairs at one another on a talk show, exploring the depths of the worst of the human condition like obesity or perhaps various criminal acts, or even suffering, tends to draw viewers like flies. This particular incident is simply par for the course, the end result of lazy reporting policies that revolve around maximizing advertising dollars, and nothing more than that. No fact checking was done, no follow up. No claim was verified, the NGO's simply copied what each other said. Sadly, it is what has become of news reporting today.
Wally - Check (Cheque) cleared - Dude you have never been to this Part of Africa - there is no such thing as a check never mind a 'Bank' - your ignorance brings something to mind..Great idea like 'Micro Loans' would lift them out of poverty -
page: 1
Laurin ShahidOct 27th, 2006 - 18:52:11
Madonna is to be praised for what she has done and is doing still for these children. The childs own father stated that if Madonna wasn't able to adopt his son, that the child will face the same fate his siblings did, death. Now I know that Madonna is very famous and people want to hear about her life and what she's up to. But for the Love of David, please people back off. Let this adoption/union happen. This child deserves a break. Madonna will make him an excellent mother and he will be forever blessed. Don't let the media/press or anyone else who wants their 15 minutes of fame destroy this boy's life.
I applaud Madonna and wish her the best of Life.
God Bless Everyone!
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