Emulation

The Australian Press Council, a club for people who control the presses, has released its brief Standards on the reporting of Suicide.

The Council notes that -

General reporting and comment on issues relating to suicide can be of substantial public benefit. For example, it may help to improve public understanding of causes and warning signs, have a deterrent effect on people contemplating suicide, bring comfort to affected relatives or friends, or promote further public or private action to prevent suicide.

Subject to careful compliance with the following standards, the Council does not wish to discourage material of this nature. Extra caution is required when the material is likely to be read or seen by people who may be especially vulnerable (eg, because of their age or mental health) and relates to suicides by their peers or by celebrities.

It continues that -

In deciding whether also to report the identity of the person who has died by suicide, account should be taken of whether at least one of the following criteria is satisfied -

a) identification is clearly in the public interest (see note 2); or

b) clear and informed consent has been provided by appropriate relatives or close friends (see note 3).

The method and location of a suicide should not be described in detail (eg, a particular drug or cliff) unless the public interest in doing so clearly outweighs the risk, if any, of causing further suicides. This applies especially to methods or locations which may not be well known by people contemplating suicide.

Reports should not sensationalise, glamorise or trivialise suicides. They should not inappropriately stigmatise suicides or people involved in them but this does not preclude responsible description or discussion of the impacts, even if they are severely adverse, on people, organisations or communities. Where appropriate, underlying causes such as mental illness should be mentioned.

The Council reiterates aspirations to best practice in respect for privacy -

News and comment should be presented honestly and fairly, and with respect for the privacy and sensibilities of individuals. However, the right to privacy is not to be interpreted as preventing publication of matters of public record or obvious or significant public interest. Rumour and unconfirmed reports should be identified as such. (General Principle 4)

Publications have a wide discretion in publishing material, but they should balance the public interest with the sensibilities of their readers, particularly when the material, such as photographs, could reasonably be expected to cause offence. (General Principle 7)

In gathering news, journalists should seek personal information only in the public interest. In doing so, journalists should not unduly intrude on the privacy of individuals and should show respect for the dignity and sensitivity of people encountered in the course of gathering news. Intrusions may be more readily justifiable if related to a person’s public duties or activities. (Privacy Principle 1)

Members of the public caught up in newsworthy events should not be exploited. A victim or bereaved person has the right to decline or discontinue an interview or photographic session at any time. (Privacy Principle 7)