Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...shire-37383069

It appears a 'friend' of a digger driver who passed away recently has claimed that the driver may have been responsible for the boy's death and buried the body.

Such heartbreaking news for his mother and other loved ones who've suffered all these years. Whichever way it goes it won't be easy for them but I hope it is resolved and they can find the will to move on with their lives and treasure whatever nice memories they have.

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

They very fact that the word " May" is used so often means that the boys fate is not " known".

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

Another possibility but not closure for the family i cannot begin to imagine how that family has been affected by this and only hope they are one of the last in this position.

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

Why is this "news"?

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

So care to tell us why it is not news?

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

The tragic disappearance of Ben became a widely reported and followed story.

Parents were able to relate directly to the feelings of those suffering most.

<removed>

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

Because news, and good journalism should rely on facts.

Conjecture, supposition, guess work is not news.

Some one told me, that they thought that someone told them, that it appeared to someone that, Lord Lucan was abducted by aliens............is that news?

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

Still news.

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

And this coming from someone with years of experience in the education system...................

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

If people want to hear it and watch it it's still news..especially with the state of the media and the lack of any noteworthy journalism.

If you don't think it's news you are free to move on..;)

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

To me, news is factual reporting, or discussion about that factual reporting.

Unfounded speculation isn't news, it's gossip.

YMMV

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

This.

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

I'm sure it's news for the family and loved ones, albeit not good. The fact that a substantial amount of money is apparently going to be spent following up these claims would indicate that the information that's been obtained from a credible new source amounts to a tad more than tittle-tattle. No, there's no proof yet but who said there was and if we're going to restrict ourselves to debating only the known and proven this place is going to be a bit quiet I reckon.

Anyway rather than arguing the toss about what constitutes 'news' and what doesn't, I just hope the family get closure, finally, even though it could be the sort of closure we'd all dread.

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

I think Hugh's points are appropriate here.

My main concern is that the media coverage that these "celebrity" cases get may divert attention, money, sympathy, police resources, etc. from the many, more recent, cases where parents have also lost children for various reasons and are equally as distraught.

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

Agreed 100% ..


'Gossip is a very dangerous tool. We should be more wary of the gossiper, and not the gossip they're trying to relay to you.' :)

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

So from here on in then we're only going to discuss categorically proven events are we because anything else is conjecture at best and malicious gossip at worst? My word, that'll cut down the PostBrexit thread for a start... :rofl:

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

Sadly, that seems to pass for news these days.

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

If gossip is news my sister would make a great reporter.

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

Discussing speculation is not quite the same thing as presenting speculation as fact. ;)

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

Is that the same as the difference between Facebook and Twitter???:D

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

I've no idea as I don't use either. ;)

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

Ben Needham search: Excavations to start for missing toddler.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...shire-37427911

Re: Ben Needham fate now 'known'
 

neither do i and workmates and family members are absolutely outraged ,they cannot understand how i function :)