Have you noticed how some news stories go on and on in the media?
Most news is here today, gone tomorrow, but some catch the imagination of the editors.
In reporters' jargon, the stories 'have got legs', and the media hold on to them like dogs with a juicy bone.
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| Madeleine McCann: in the headlines after 13 years |
Two stories come to mind; the abduction of three-year-old Madeleine McCann from a Portuguese hotel while her parents were out dining nearby; and a teenage motor cyclist, Harry Dunn, killed in a road accident involving the wife of a US government employee based at RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire.
The latest revelation in the Maddie case is the naming of a new suspect by the German police - a German man, a paedophile in prison there.
British reporters have hot-footed to Berlin to carry out their own investigations, finding rich pickings in the stream of detailed information briefed by the police on the suspect, stating Maddie was dead and it was murder.
They even sent the news by letter to her grieving parents.
They may be right and it could bring an end to the story, but as throughout the thirteen years there is still no certainty.
Imagine the prolonged anguish of the family.
There was even a television documentary lasting eight hours.
The case of the young motor cyclist is equally disturbing.
He was killed in a road incident last year. This story is being kept in the news with press releases from the team advising the parents. It, too, has been picked up internationally to appeal to President Trump.
Their campaign for justice for their son has also led to them to cross swords with our Prime Minister and two other ministers. They are demanding that the woman be extradited to face court but this is being refused as it is claimed she she has diplomatic immunity. And it still goes on, the cost mounting.
The British police have had a team on the abduction case for thirteen years costing the taxpayers £8 million plus funds raised privately. Money to pursue the motor cycle case has been raised privately.
Cases of abduction of children are rare and after an initial spell of high publicity are dropped from the news.
What surprises me is how the media here, obsessed by the story, are allowed to publish so much detail.
Not only has the latest suspect been named but lurid allegations are being made against him, The German police think they have got their man and are telling everyone.
What a change in crime reporting since my day.
We could give information about a crime but not name any suspect, and when an arrest was made reporting had to stop until it came to court.
On major stories, like murder, reporters could spend days getting background stories but we could not give any information that might be evidence.
I feel sad and sorry for the parents in both cases, although Harry Dunn's parents are themselves responsible for keeping alive hopes of a prosecution.
They have had their lives shattered and are enduring years of uncertainty, speculation adding to their distress.
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