newsreader padding

[kinell]

a sad waste when another of our young men gets killed in afghanistan..

however what purpose does the standard last phrase of every news item on radio serve?

x of the x regiment was killed today in helmund province..

'the family have been told/informed'

and the only other possible alternative option to that would be 'the ministry of defence cannot be bothered to tell the family' .....unlikely

pointless drivel...stick to the facts, cut out the waffle and report more news stories

[vulcan]

It's to stop other families with relations in the war zone from worrying.

[bednobs]

as above. People who hav e families serving there would worry. If family have been informed it means that if you haven't heard its not your daughter/son

[kinell]

thx for replies

i can understand that now

[jno]

they're also making clear that they are not jumping the gun by announcing the death of a named person before his family had been told.