Madonna on BBC2 to defend adoption

Jeevan Vasagar
Wednesday November 1, 2006

After launching her media fightback on the Oprah Winfrey show, Madonna gave her first British interview over her controversial adoption of an African baby yesterday, to Newsnight's Kirsty Wark.

In a recorded interview to be broadcast on BBC2 tonight, she is expected once again to round on her critics and deny that her celebrity played a role in expediting the transfer of the baby, David Banda, from an orphanage in Malawi to a new life in the west.

Human rights groups in Malawi are still threatening to take the singer to court, claiming she bypassed laws against adoption by non-residents. A court hearing on their application to block the adoption is due to be heard on November 13. The case has sparked fierce debate over cross-cultural adoption and the west's attitude to Africa. Aid agencies have urged people not to follow suit but to concentrate on helping children within their communities.

There was fresh controversy yesterday as the boy's father, Yohane Banda, criticised Madonna's claims on the Oprah Winfrey Show that David was abandoned at the Home of Hope orphanage and never visited by his family. Mr Banda told Closer magazine: "This is not true. I used to cycle there almost every week to play with him, and his grandmother would sometimes go and spend a few days there.

"David was not an abandoned baby. He was very much loved."

SUMMARY

This article relates to Madonna's recent adoption of a Malawian boy from the African country. She has recieved criticism for supposedly abusing her celebrity status in order to adopt young David, despite it being illegal. The article states Madonna's defence to all the claims made against her on the Oprah Winfrey show and BBC 2 in the UK. Furthermore, the debate has be re-ignited with the young boy's father strongly opposing Madonna's claims of rejection/neglection towards the boy.

MY OPINION

In my opinion, people have been too quick to jump on Madonna's back and criticise her. I fully understand that she may have broken international rules, there for a purpose, however her intentions were clearly right in that she was looking to provide the young boy with a better life. However, i oppose the supposed lies she's told about the conditions the boy lived in and think that she should adhere to rules and procedures in place. To resolve the issue i think the father and Madonna should discuss the life of young David and whether he will return to Malawi in the future and the father reportedly agreed to. Aid agencies need to highlight the rules and procedures to adoption.