Missing the numbers

Debunking Today Show's missing children media campaign.

This time, Today was more conservative in its [2004] estimate [of 58,000], claiming that only 5,000 children go missing each year. While this is an improvement over 58,000, the implication is still that there are 5,000 stereotypical kidnappings, in which a stranger or acquaintance abducts a child to hold for ransom or abuse and kill him or her. According to the Justice Department, there are only about 115 such incidents each year.

Many news media outlets depend upon press release journalism - quoting from highly suspect "public interest" groups whose views the media share.