Covering Suicide

Rachele Kanigel

San Francisco State University

http://www.slideshare.net/rkanigel/covering-suicide

Suicide: To cover or not to cover?

When should a news organization report news of a suicide?

Why should a news organization report a suicide?

What are the reasons for not reporting on suicide?

How can journalists, especially student journalists, cover suicide responsibly?

Most professional news organizations DO NOT cover suicide unless…

It causes a public spectacleIt’s committed in connection with another

crime, such as a homicide or kidnappingIt’s committed by a public figure

Student news organizations often DO cover suicide because… It may affect a large segment of the campus

community Suicide is the leading cause of death among

college students (6 suicides per 100,000 college students per year, according to a recent study)

Coverage can dispel rumors It can help the community heal and make

sense of a tragedy

“The media can play a powerful role in educating the public about suicide prevention. Stories about suicidecan inform readers and viewers about the likely causes of suicide, its warning signs, trends in suicide rates, and recent treatment advances. They can also highlight opportunities to prevent suicide.

--American Society of Suicidology

Risk: Suicide clusters

Every year in the United States 100 to 200 youngsters die in suicide clusters, and there are signs that the rate is rising.

Suicide clusters in the U.S. occur predominantly among teenagers and young adults.

-- Suicide and Mental Health Association International

Media contagion

Research suggests that spotlighting a suicide through media coverage can actually encourage others to follow suit -- especially if suicide is portrayed as glamorous or romantic.

Prominent newspaper (or television) coverage of a suicide has been found to increase suicidal behavior within the readership(viewing) area of the newspaper (network).

Ethics Case Study: U of Portland

In March 2009 a University of Portland student committed suicide

The Beacon wrote a story with the headline: “Suicide claims UP senior”

University officials pulled the paper, saying the headline was insensitive, inappropriate and “designed to shock people.”

Ethics Case Study: U of Portland

Suicide claims UP senior

Do you think the headline was insensitive? What would you have done if campus officials

yanked your paper from the racks in a situation like this?

Ethics Case Study: San Francisco State University

In September a SFSU student set himself on fire at a gas station.

Here are the original Golden Gate Xpress story and a follow-up:

Ethics Case Study: SFSU

What do you think of the use of suicide in the headlines?

Is the original story too graphic?Should the paper have described the

cause of death?Should the paper have gone into so

much detail about his state of mind?

Ethics Case Study: University of Ottawa

On Sept. 19, 2009 a 19-year-old jumped to his death from the 15th floor of a U of Ottawa residence hall

The Fulcrum named the student but didn’t say how he died

Case Study: University of Ottawa

Should the story have included the fact the student had committed suicide?

Was it irresponsible to say the student fell rather than that he jumped?

Did the paper sweep the issue under the rug or protect its readers?

Ethics Case Study: Princeton U

Was it responsible for The Daily Princetonian to report on a suicide attempt?

When is it appropriate to report on an attempted suicide?

The Daily Toreador,Texas Tech University

The Daily Toreador,Texas Tech University

Ethics Case Study: Texas Tech U.

Was The Daily Toreador insensitive in its coverage of the story?

What could the paper have done to ensure the story wouldn’t offend readers and friends of the dead young man?

Should editors worry about offending friends and family members in covering a suicide or simply report the truth?

Tips for Covering Suicide

How to cover suicide responsibly

Don’t oversimplify reasons for the suicide, such as blaming it on stress.

Don’t make it seem painless or easy.Don’t sensationalize the death.Avoid melodramatic languague – ex:

tragic death, a life cut short

How to cover suicide responsibly

Don’t glorify the victim.Don’t engage in ongoing or excessive

coverage.Don’t use the word suicide unless official

sources – police or family members – confirm the cause of death was suicide.

How to cover suicide responsibly

Don’t provide a how-to; don’t cover the method of death in detail.

Bring awareness to the problemOffer resources -- suicide hotlines,

counseling services, etc.Doublecheck statements from family

members

Readings on Covering Suicide

Poynter: Reporting on SuicideThe Globe & Mail:

Burying the story won't stop suicideDart Center for Journalism & Trauma:

Covering Teen SuicideDart Center: SuicideReportingonSuicide.org

Links to Stories Referenced

The Beacon, University of PortlandGolden Gate Xpress, San Francisco State UThe Daily Toreador, Texas Tech UniversityFulcrum, University of OttawaThe Daily Princetonian, Princeton U

More information about covering suicide can be found in

The Student Newspaper Survival Guide

This slide show can be found at http://www.slideshare.net/rkanigel/covering-suicide