OCCASIONALLY the story behind a news story - about how the reporter sourced their information - makes the headlines.

When it does, it is not usually positive.

But this week something different happened.

Nine-year-old Hilde Kate Lysiak became a household name after she reported on a murder in her neighbourhood of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, ahead of the local media.

According to reports, the youngster turned up at the scene of the crime with her notepad and asked all the relevant questions before heading home to upload the story in on her news website, The Orange Street News - which also publishes a monthly paper.

Those reacting to this story seemed to be split into two camps.

Some felt pangs of pride for the child for following her dreams in a often dark and daunting field.

And then there were those with whom the whole scenario sat uncomfortably - a child at a murder scene, exposed to all the gruesome details.

It is hard to argue with the final point but as Hilde's father is a journalist I assume she is likely to have grown up around the news, good or bad.

And is it any more horrific than the details she is likely to pick up watching the news?

Rolling news channels frequently occupy the TV screen in my house and my son's reactions to them is something I have been forced to consider recently.

Two recent stories have caught his attention for different reasons.

Six months ago prisoner Shaker Aamer was released from Guantanamo Bay after being detained without charge for 13 years.

Images of him in his orange jumpsuit with a beaming smile on his face, waving his right hand, were quickly broadcast.

I found my son in front of the TV waving back and beaming "Hi man!" He then added: "Happy man!" He thought he was waving at him. Perhaps he was? And he was so taken in by the picture he spoke about him for days afterwards.

In the aftermath of the Brussels terror attacks he asked me why the lady who was being interviewed outside the airport was sad. He's two. I instantly turned the TV off in a last ditch attempt to shield him from grim reality.

I am treading a thin line between wanting to protect him from the bad news and wanting to prepare him for life in an increasingly harsh and dangerous world.

Who says what age he should start getting to grips with reality? Is nine too young to begin to understand?

Whatever the opinion, young Hilde's sheer determination must be applauded.

And encouraging children to pursue their interests or even careers from a young age is surely a positive.

When I was around Hilde's age, in an attempt to make my pocket money stretch to cover more Dip-Dabs and Frosties, I ripped the pages out of my colouring book and collected all the toys I didn't want anymore and set off selling them door to door.

On the second door - and after my second successful sale, I should say - my mum got wind and halted the venture.

Dousing my entrepreneurial flair at its inception.

If I hadn't been stopped, and "kept in" for having a "brass neck" I would most certainly have been Frosties-rich at the very least!