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March 13, 2008updated 14 Mar 2008 2:10pm

Today presenter accused of being judgemental

By Rachael

Co-founder of Mothers Against Murder and Aggression Lyn Costello has slammed BBC Radio 4’s Today presenter Sarah Montague for her approach in interviewing mother of missing nine-year-old Shannon Matthews, reports The Independent.

Costello criticised Montague for questioning the fact that Karen Matthews had a number of different children by different fathers. She said: “That interview was making a judgment on her as a mother and the way she lives her life. The media is vital at a time when a child goes missing but its values are skewed.”

The BBC insisted that the interview had been intended to give Matthews and her partner Craig Meehan the chance to respond to claims made against them. A spokeswoman said: “AS part of this it was felt that the background of the family was relevant as claims have been made that Shannon was unhappy at home and may have run away. We do not feel that this was a judgment on Karen Matthews or her partner and the way they live their life.”

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