That doesn't have anything to do with this particular case, though, Callum, as no crime has been committed - apart from ignorance on the part of the bathers, I guess. So stating they were Roma has absolutely no relevance other than to infer that this was the reason no one helped them.

On the contrary, I think you can't report this story without mentioning that they were Romany. I think it has everything to do with the story, and beyond this story it is about highlighting the prejudice against Romanies. If they just reported that 2 girls drowned and nobody cared, everyone would be asking why that was the case anyway.

Do not disturb: already disturbed.

So you disagree that they stated the girls were Romany to make it clear, or to make it appear, that it was the reason they were not helped? They could have easily written the story without the title that was used - 2 Children drowned and no one helped them, for example, and then simply mention in the story that they were of Roma descent. But the media just can't not make a big shouting headline

My second statement (which was the one you quoted) was made mainly in relation to Callum's regarding fingerprinting and DNA of Romany people in Italy My first statement was made in full relation to the story posted.

I don't think I'm making myself clear, anyway, this morning. So to reiterate, what I'm trying to say is it shouldn't matter where the children came from, those bathers should be ashamed of themselves for their lack of compassion.

I do, yes, because I believe that's probably why there is a whiff of indifference on the beach in question and I imagine it was the main factor of why nobody helped them.

Not you, you twit

And you don't disagree because that's what I'm saying. Of course that was the reason they weren't helped. It was also the reason the media stated it - to ensure people knew it was the reason. They sensationalised the story by ensuring they had it in the title, though, to make sure people read it.

And there was no whiff of indifference, it was overwhelming.

Although, I do have to question why the girls were in the water. Romany would consider getting themselves wet and having clothes clinging to them - outside of their own clan - to be a lack of modesty... and it's unlikely they would have been able to swim too.

I'm still not quite sure what angle you're coming from. I think it is important where the children came from, because as you said it is probably the reason they received little to no help or even respect in death. It is an integral part of the story, and maybe it has been sensationalised, but it is a sensational story in itself. For the record, the original article I read (in Who magazine) was entitled 'Dead Girls Ignored, Italy's Shame', with a subtitle or whatever you call it of 'Beachgoers spark an outcry after sunbaking near two drowned girls'. So if your angle is that they used the title to sensationalise it by mentioning that they were Romany (which I also don't quite agree with, because as I said, that IS the story), that title did not state that fact, yet I still read it because it seemed a strange thing for people to do.

Do not disturb: already disturbed.

The article you linked to did indeed state Roma in the title, go look Unfortunately I don't have a copy of the magazine so only have the article you linked to as a frame of reference. I have many problems with the story to be honest, not least - as I've already stated - the strangeness of the girls playing in the water in the first place, not to mention how disturbing it is that the bathers saw nothing wrong in continuing with the sun worship yards from where the dead bodies lay. Also, I would be interested to know how all the bathers knew for certain they were of Romany descent - they can't have all had a perfect view of the girls, after all.

When you read deeper into the article, you discover that emergency services were called when the girls were in the water so someone showed an interest, which straightaway takes away the cut and dried "they were completely ignored" scenario. It took 10 minutes for rescue to arrive and, unfortunately they were too late, so yes I do believe it is sensationalised. I think I may go search for more information on the story to be honest.

According to THIS report (which seems to be a lot more detailed) people did try to help when they saw the girls in distress. It makes the lack of interest while their dead bodies lay on the beach afterwards no less sickening, but does make you question some of the slants taken in other reports where there is no mention of anything other than emergency services trying to rescue them.

This report is the very reason why I usually go with the opinion that a story has been sensationalised to boost interest - not that I'm saying there shouldn't be any interest in this story, I was merely mentioning the fact that the media circus rarely reports a story without hyping it up in some way.

I think I have the picture. Maybe the original headline in the magazine didn't scream "Romany". but all the same it's a relevant part of the story. What would have been a tale of cold-hearted indifference has the added factor of bigotry.
Again part of the background regarding attitudes to a particular group. In Australia, Aboriginals are over-represented in prisons, and Maoris in New Zealand, but I can only imagine the outcry if DNA and fingerprint records were compiled based on ethnicity. Na bister 500,000.