There’s a temptation with social media to share “news” too quickly . Gossip also often spreads faster than facts.

We have already had one example in the case of Stephen Mangion who passed away at the emergency department.  The story, initiated by someone using a fake profile, grew bigger and bigger with everyone adding their interpretation like a reality show version of Chinese whispers.  And, inevitably, it turned into a political issue. 

Wild accusations and demands for heads to roll gathered momentum, panicking an entire nation and casting doubts on the integrity of medical professionals.  The general belief which swept the country was that people were simply being left to die at the emergency department.   

It was only when Mr Mangion’s former wife issued a statement asking for people to stop speculating and wait for the results of the magisterial inquiry that the hysteria abated somewhat. 

The truth of what happened to Mr Mangion, which has now been established by the inquiry, has peeled away the layers of fabrication and embellishment. 

Contrary to what was claimed, he was not told to drive himself to the hospital, but was accompanied by a friend who drove him there.  The timeline of when he was assessed at triage and the type of tests he was administered, also belies the misinformation which was being spread. 

“Mangion was subjected to three ECGs – one at the health centre and another two at Mater Dei – with doctors each time excluding a heart attack.”   

“The fact that Mangion was not taking his medication for high blood pressure, sought medical assistance late, 15 hours after he started feeling symptoms, the atypical symptoms he presented himself, which were not specific to aortic dissection, meant that the medical staff could not reasonably diagnose his condition.”

The Magistrate therefore ruled out negligence from the medical staff and said there were no grounds for criminal action to be taken.

Unfortunately, on the same day this inquiry was published we also learnt of the untimely death of Karl Gouder, who had just submitted his nomination for PN Secretary General.  It was shocking news which has raised many questions, especially because of the details included by some newsrooms.

Of course, such questions are inevitable – in private that is. However, once again, FB was rife with reckless, unnecessary comments – even while his own family (like the nation) was still reeling in shock.  Can we, for once, just learn to shut up on public platforms?  Is it too much to understand the difference between discussing something in private and discussing it (and speculating) on social media, which is like blaring it out with a megaphone in the middle of a busy square? If there are facts which still need to be verified then this needs to be done diligently, with respect and discretion towards his loved ones.  

There are lots of rumours swirling around and once again there is the risk of fact and fiction becoming one big blur. In this case, purely because Karl Gouder was a public figure, there will probably be a need for the family to issue a formal statement at some point in order to bring some clarity.  Meanwhile, the less people blurt out the first thing which pops into their head on FB the better. 

Somehow when something like this happens, I always get the impression that there are those who want to make it about them, rather than keeping the focus on the tragic loss of someone who died much too young.