Episode 43 - “My Name is Cleo.”: The disappearance of Cleo Smith, and underrepresentation in reports of missing children.

On the 16th of October 2021, 4-year-old Cleo Smith disappeared from her family’s campsite at the Blowholes, north of Carnarvon in Western Australia. What followed was the most comprehensive search and rescue operation in recent Australian history, and non-stop reporting of Cleo’s case which had gripped the nation. Cleo was missing for 18 days before police made a breakthrough discovery, bringing relief to those enthralled by the story. Programs were cancelled in favour of a 3-hour news special, and The West Australian newspaper ran a 22-page spread featuring all the details. The amount of coverage raised questions for some - should the family be granted some privacy, and why aren’t the same police resources and media coverage common in the cases of other missing children?