People are spending far more time sabotaging McCann threads than the McCann enthusiasts are spending on tittle tattle. Pot and kettle.

[Spidermama]

These are developments. They're leading news bulletins the world over because so many people are following the story.

You don't have to, but don't spent so much time and energy ruining it for those who do please. Just look at other threads instead.

I used to be a nork clasper when the threads were devoid of real developments, but today I've had to move because I find the nork clasping camp (keepbumping and friends) is the loonier of the two now.

[DumbledoresGirl]

I am not in the least bit interested in the McCann speculation, but I agree with your title Spidermama. I clicked on one thread which has been at the top of active convos all day and found it was mainly people sabotaging the thread. Leave it alone and it just might drop off active convos occasionally.

[Spidermama]

Yes the hysterics are coming from the people who purport not to be interested.

[DrNortherner]

Totally agree Spidermama, I have stayed away from the McCann threads but yesterday got involved. It's big news, everyone is discussing it.

I have always hated it when people barge in and fling insults around because they don't think it should be discussed.

It's childish and tantamount to bullying.

Ignore the thread if you don't like it.

MN can be wonderful, but it never ceases to amaze me just how rude some posters can be.

[expatinscotland]

What's happening on some of these threads is not discussion.

It can easily be construed as libel.

The McCanns are already suing a Portuguese newspaper for libel.

Does MN really need any more of this kind of publicity?

[DrNortherner]

Theories are being bandied around everywhere, do you think it is unique to mumsnet? It's being takled about all over the internet, similar things are being printed in newspapers all over the world.

I don't think the MCanns will sue MN - they have bigger fish to fry.

[foxinsocks]

if you are happy calling yourself 'a McCann enthusiast' and are happy talking about the sad loss of a little girl as 'tittle tattle' then you go right ahead

but it's voyeuristic, it's macabre, it's gruesome and it's HARDLY discussing the facts

and NO FFS not everyone is talking about it

none of my friends, no playground chat, nothing

[flightattendant]

I think Expat, some of it might be libel, but not an awful lot...mainly it is people reiterating things they have heard or read elsewhere, and not purporting to actually KNOW the truth.
We are all speculating, well many of us at least, whether we do it aloud or in our heads...
it is a talk forum and we are talking about the issues within our own thoughts.

I don't really think that is libellous...the McCanns have far more pressing things on their minds I'm sure than who is talking about them on mumsnet.

There are hundreds of talk forums all discussing this case, web logs, etc.

People have been interested from the start, and it's possible now that those people will find out they've been hoodwinked all along. Of course there is discussion, people are unsure whether to be angry.

Saying that I'm glad I left the last thread when I did...the morbid fascination got too much for me, though I am guilty of it myself.

[foxinsocks]

well I wish that everyone who wants to speculate would piss off to another site and speculate there

[expatinscotland]

Enough of it can be construed as libel, there's certainly a valid argument for it, flight, and for those of you who are new, this site got into some serious trouble last year for something along those lines.

[flightattendant]

Fair enough...

[WideWebWitch]

I agree with FIS.

[flightattendant]

I suppose I'd have defended the GF thing too had I been on MN back then. I know MN did, to the hilt, then had to cave.


I know it's a risk, don't want to get MN into the poo again.

[bobbysmum07]

Well you'd have to say that about every newspaper and news programme in the country.

The way people continually scream for censorship on these boards frightens me, it really does.

We live in a country that celebrates freedom of speech. It's supposed to be the other way round.

[TollockyBoss]

It's not even really about anyone sueing MN. it's more about the fact that this is an open forum, which is used by the media to reflect parents' views on an almost daily basis. As was demonstrated by the Guardian opinion column online. I for one, would be mortified if people thought that kind of wild, rubber-necking, blood-thirsty, pitchfork waving speculation was representative of Mumsnet. If there are plenty of other fora discussing this, can it not be done there? Or with your friends? Or in the pub? Or whatever.

[foxinsocks]

it's not censorship

it's out of place on mumsnet

totally out of character for this place (well it used to be)

most normal, sensible people do not spend hours revelling in the misery of some poor family

and not every post on the subject is misplaced but as soon as it turns into ghoulish speculation, it's just horrid

[flightattendant]

You are right foxy. I don't really have family or close friends around most of the time, so I tend to waffle rather stupidly on MN instead.
But I think you're right and I wish I hadn't got involved earlier.

[bobbysmum07]

Rubbish. What's the point of a news forum if not to discuss the news?

All news items are controversial. If you don't want controversial opinions on the site, remove the news discussions thread.

[DrNortherner]

Who is revelling in their misery FGS? It's rather insulting to hear that.

It's headline news, people are discussing it. Talking about what they read and hear. That's all.

[Blandmum]

I dislike the 'pitchfork' feeling that I have of myself. But TBH what I saw just sickened me so much I did want to see it gone, and quickly.

With the benefit of hindsight I should have reported specific posts.

[bobbysmum07]

Sanctimonious bullshit.

[foxinsocks]

mumsnet has plenty of controversial discussions out of the news section

[expatinscotland]

Individuals can be sued for libel and defamation of character.

You have been warned.

[Blandmum]

thanks bobby, that was constructive. Ah well.

[startouchedtrinity]

I agree with Foxinsocks. I find the speculation repellent and stated so, once, on one thread. But equally I struggle with the posts that have turned the threads into some kind of satirical joke.

This is a little girl we are talking about.

[bobbysmum07]

I have never heard of anyone being sued for expressing an opinion, however controversial, about a news item on the internet.