Why it’s important to see a story through to the end

Initial reports on news stories are hugely important, but following up after the fact can provide rare opportunities for readers and journalists alike to understand the nuances behind them

With an ever-expanding world of some 7.7 billion people, there are tens of thousands of possible news stories each day. Unfortunately, we can’t cover them all, but as journalists and editors, we do have a duty to stay on top of certain stories.

A tragic story unfolded this weekend, when in New York a man was charged with killing his twin toddlers who died after he left them in a hot car. He had forgotten, he said, that he had not dropped them off at nursery, only realising they were still there upon returning to his car after a day at work. He was charged with two counts of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.

It is unimaginable to think about what he and his wife must be going through, if his defence is to be believed – and this is perhaps a surprisingly common occurrence, with presumably overworked and sleep-deprived parents appearing to be so accustomed to a daily routine that a small mishap can throw them off balance.