The Negril Rumor Mill

The past few days, since I started the Do's and Don't's thread, I have been swamped with emails and PMs about the horse incident.

First, I need to thank all those who contacted me directly with all the rumors that they heard or read. Secondly, I am following up all the private contacts with this one post rather than addressing each one individually. I feel that others may be interested, but did not private me.

Immediately after the incident, we spoke with several police officers who were at the scene. They told us there were minor injuries, maybe a sprained or broken wrist, but nothing life threatening. Since then, we could not get much more information to verify anything.

Today in the Observer there is an article about the incident. The initial police info we received seems to be correct as the injuries are described as "muscle injuries". We were hoping that the visitor was not hurt worse and it seems that our prayers were answered.

http://m.jamaicaobserver.com/news/to...=MobileArticle

But that brings me to the private contacts that I received. Apparently on FB the Negril rumor mill went to town. It seems a rumor started that the visitor had a broken back and/or a broken hip. It was also claimed that the visitor was from England. Last I checked, Mississippi was not part of the British Commonwealth.

Upon receiving the urgent and justifiably upset private contacts, we replied back to those that asked with what we knew as the truth. Most thanked us for the update and accepted it as we all waited for more facts to come out.

But a couple wrote back with scathing replies that we were hiding the truth and manipulating the Jamaican media. It seems that some people just cannot accept the fact that not all news is bad. And while flattering, there is no way that a Negril website can control the entire Jamaican news media.

What happened is not a joke situation. A visitor was injured. She was not seriously hurt but for her family and friends being subjected to reading that she had a broken hip and/or broken back, this is torture for them.

If there is one thing that is becoming obvious about "news" on social media, it can be manipulated and it can spread false news at the speed of light.

When an incident happens in Negril, for us to try and hide it is not only impossible but stupid as a business practice. We will always take a stand against the irresponsible rumors that can have unintended consequences.

Imagine if you had a family member from England in Negril, who likes horses, and read "news" on FB that someone from England broke their back falling from a horse on the beach. This false information would send you into a panic until you were able to contact your family member.

FB has proved once again how much needless trouble it can cause. The Negril Rumor Mill is bad enough as it is. Let's all try not to add fuel to the fire, remember that there are real people involved and not spread rumors as fact.

If you ever feel the need to find out what is happening in Negril, please feel free to ask here. You will not receive rumor, speculation or opinion, but you will receive all the facts that are available at the time.

Thanx Rob.............well said. Glad to hear that Mississippi isn't in the British CommonWealth......grin.

After you complete your takeover of the entire Jamaican news media, please also take over FB and get rid of all the fake news. :)

Well said!

No one even asked how the horse was.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Irine

No one even asked how the horse was.

---

LOL. You're quickly becoming one of my favorite contributors here, Irene.

Oh, and this is why nobody should use facebook, ever. Well, one of the reasons, anyway.

Made me smile today Irene and Tah!!!

"Rumor has it" by Adele,
Great song, check it out on You Tube.:excitement:

If horses can run fast down the beach and create havoc then why can't the cab drivers just drive down the beach too?

Motorized vehicles are not considered living beings under Jamaican law.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wrtiii

After you complete your takeover of the entire Jamaican news media, please also take over FB and get rid of all the fake news. :)

---

Take over the Whitehouse in DC that will end all the fake news.

Thanks Rob.

We were standing in the parking lot of the Charela Inn when the injured party was loaded into the ambulance. We did report in another FB forum that the injured patient was on a back board and in a neck brace. We never speculated as to the injuries, just reported what we saw first hand. My wife and I are both medical professionals and as Beth Pointed out in the other forum, it is standard procedure to use a back board and neck brace with any kind of injury that could possibly involve back/neck injuries. If anyone assumed we were saying the injuries were worse than they were is making assumptions. I just reported what we observed first hand.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gregandkelly63

We were standing in the parking lot of the Charela Inn when the injured party was loaded into the ambulance. We did report in another FB forum that the injured patient was on a back board and in a neck brace. We never speculated as to the injuries, just reported what we saw first hand. My wife and I are both medical professionals and as Beth Pointed out in the other forum, it is standard procedure to use a back board and neck brace with any kind of injury that could possibly involve back/neck injuries. If anyone assumed we were saying the injuries were worse than they were is making assumptions. I just reported what we observed first hand.

---

If you are "medical Professionals", why the need to invade this person privacy by posting on FB. It seems people now a days want to be the first to the gate on social media and report what they saw or what they heard, and when the rumor mill rears it's ugly head, want to step back and say, "not my fault". I don't get it.

I posted exactly what we saw in response to someone's post on fb. There were some speculations and false reporting by others. I did not start the post so I wasn't "first to the gate", I was clarifying what others had incorrectly posted. I was in no means invading their privacy. What I don't get is people jumping to conclusions and assuming we ran straight to our computers to post on FB about what we saw. I did not post until others were posting incorrect information.

I just looked back on the FB post. The original post was at 1:43 pm. I posted the facts of what I saw at 9:07 pm. 23 people posted between the time the original comment was posted and when I posted. So much for being "first to the gate".

My apologies for the misunderstanding. You did say that you reported on another FB forum what you saw. My comment on people wanted to be first out of the gate was not directed at you specifically, just in general. Someone obviously make the first post on FB and from the sounds of it, got the facts wrong. My comment was directed at them. Thanks for setting the record straight.

Apology accepted. Thank you for the apology. I do admit people like to be the "first in the know". It makes them feel smarter, I guess. Have a good day. :)

What some may be overlooking here is the concern by absolute strangers, about the wellbeing of a fellow Negril lover who was injured. I'm sure, or at least hope, everyone here wishes a full and speedy recovery for them.