[mamalaura]

Did anyone see the CNN story on Guat adoptions this morning? How disappointing and one sided.. I plan to email them and enlighten them on the fact that birth moms and babies have DNA testing and that birth moms sign 4 times and that there are safeguards to protect the birth mom and babies with the social worker interview during family court.

MAny predicted the story would have a negative spin....what do you all think about the story? Maybe we should all email and complain about the story and demand they air the other side, the positive side, of the story.

[Pipercub]

CNN has a track record here. Several months back on their Paula Zahn show they did a horrible story that put a really bad spin on families that adopted children from China... which got a TON of negative feedback from the adoption community. Which led to a second (only slightly less poorly done) show on Chinese Adoptions. Sadly, this seems to be a CNN thing - do a negative show - bask in the buzz (even if negative) - use it as momentum for a second show. There's an old saying I'm convinced they live by: "There's no such thing as bad publicity." It's like the producers don't mind backlash - it's confirmation that they have a big audience, and it helps them have "hot topics" to cover to fill up the news hour. I'm kind of think letters just confirm to them that they've picked a good topic (i.e. "people are talking about our stories").

I did complain to CNN about the show on Chinese Adoptions, but this time I won't waste my energy. I gotta put my focus into something more positive today. One of these days maybe there will be a big network that can project a positive international adoption story... until then, I'll do my best to objectively answer questions from friends and family.

P.S. I'm not condemning writing letters to complain. As I mentioned, I've done it in the past with CNN. For me, though, this time I'm just gonna let things be. I saw what letters resulted in last time. (A second show misinforming the public.) I don't put alot of confidence in them getting it right this time.

I sound kind of sour this morning - better go get some coffee! <3

[amylulu]

I guess I missed it. I turned it on at 7:00 et. It must have been on earlier. I would love to hear what the gest of the interview was? Maybe there will be transcripts we can read.

Any more info about it to share?

FYI it appeared to be aired during the first hour.

[mamalaura]

Basically they said birth moms were receiving payment to give up babies and it has turned into an industry of making money from adoptive parents-where does the money go, they ask? Also stated warnings from US DOS. Talked about the poverty of the country and moms needing money to survive; talked about facilitator in trouble; talked about imposter birth moms...all ridiculous if you ask me...

I think transcrips are available at their website.

[susy...patience]

It aired about 7:20 am ET. I was also disappointed. It made the connection to Bush's visit but didn't talk about trying to keep process open for people already matched with babies. Just focused on Dept of State warning about troubles.......

[beachdreams]

OK I was not going to mention this but in light of this post I will. I actually talked to some people from CNN and they asked to interview us in our home regarding the adoption process. Many of the questions they were asking me on the phone in preparation for this interview set off warning bells to both my husband and myself. Most of the questions were regarding the "buying and selling" of babies in Guatemala. No matter how many times I tried to set them straight and steer the conversation in a different direction, they some how would manage to come back to attorneys paying women money to have babies and child trafficking/stealing.

When asked if we would meet them at my home for an interview, I asked their motive for this story. They said that they knew Guatemalan adoptions was a big issue and with Bush's upcoming visit and blah blah blah. I informed them that it seemed they were putting a bad spin on the story. They told me they just wanted to put the truth out there. I asked whose truth? They asked me what I meant and I brought up the China adoptions story and how I felt they did a dismal job and are not interested in the truth but more the media frenzy of it all.

I told them that in the 30 minute conversation I had with them, they kept coming back to child trafficking/stealing and buying/selling babies. They said that was a key issue. I reminded them that a DNA test is done and the birth mother is interviewed and signs off 4 times thus making child trafficking/stealing a mute point.

They brought up Mary Bonn and when I told them that I would not be doing the interview because in the end, they do not care about the children or the truth but more about ratings. I told them I knew this was going in a bad direction and they would distort the truth.

So I am glad I did not do the interview but very sad to be proven right.

[RyannB]

Good for you!

[Synesthesia]

Why am I not even surprised?
The media constantly seems to fail at accurately reporting about adoption. All kinds, especially international.

[Excelmom]

I agree, what a dissapointment!

I missed the show, and went to the CNN website and read the transcripts. Not one mention of DNA testing, Family Court, birth mother sign offs, PGN--nothing!! No mention of foster care either. I also, thought they used poor language--"how much for the son?" Solodad O'Brian asks at one point. Not what are the adoption fees, costs, etc. Basically implying that the children are bought--which we now know is what they were trying to make people think. Also, in my research, Guatemalan adoption is not really any different in cost from most international adoptions when you put all the costs involved together, travel, lodging, "donations", etc., but of course they do not mention that either.

Also, they briefly mentioned the Mary Bonn case, and there was no mention that the child involved was legally adopted thru the Guatemalan court system by her parents here in the states.

What a bummer.

[justwaitingforangel]

I just got done watching the interview, IT WAS HORRIBLE! I had to record it becasue it came on at 3am here in PHX....It was very negative and talked about everything except for what a real Guatemalan adoption consists of. I plan on emailing them and telling them how poor of a story it really was.

[skipdaisy]

Yes, it was very bad. I didn't like when Soledad said "Did they tell you how much they paid?"...like she was talking about a bag of chips or something....

[kadyn]

I worry that when our children are older they will hear this, how are the going to feel?

[JosieWales]

beachdreams, I am very glad you refused to do the interview. How pathetic they are.

[JosieWales]

Could someone give me the link for the transcripts this morning? THanks.

[mamalaura]

CNN.com - Transcripts

Here is the link.