Coming to the digital age of mass media in 2017, the standard and the way that people receive news has significantly changed. Despite of the accurate and quality content, with the raise of smart devices like iPhone as well as the social media, people in digital age would always in demand of the latest news. Thanks to the incredible fast information flow of the internet, news stories could be reported to readers in split seconds as long as they are connected to the internet. However, under the strong competition between media organisations on the internet, journalists miss out the practice of reporting, in particular of reporting suicide. This essay will be examining the ethical dilemma of reporting suicide by evaluating code of ethics and ethical theory with the aid of real world examples.
Importance of the right approach to report suicide
Suicide is a public health issue , instead of using viral images and victimizing those who passed away on the title , journalists should balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort when reporting. Media and online coverage of suicide should be informed by using best practices. Some suicide deaths might be newsworthy. However the way media cover suicide can influence behaviour negatively by contributing to contagion or positively by encouraging help-seeking. Aside from bring true and accurate content to readers, one of the core principle of being a journalist is suggested by the Ethical Journalism Network is humanity, which they should bring not bring or to minimize harm on what they publish, as their words and pictures bring impacts to others (2017, para. 5). Besides, The American Foundation For
Suicide Prevention also suggests that suicide is complex, which could be multiple causes, including psychiatric illnesses, that may not have been recognized or treated. However, these illnesses are treatable (2017. para . 2), which amplifies that journalist plays an importing role in raising suicide awareness and suicide prevention.
The evaluation of two suicide reporting examples will be examined bas onthe code of ethics of Mindframe National Media Initiative of Australia.
Risk of additional suicides increases when the story explicitly describes the suicide method, uses dramatic headlines or images, and repeated or extensive coverage sensationalizes or glamorizes a death. However The Daily Mail Australia and Boston Herald did not seem to be responsible when reporting suicide. According to the Code of Ethics by the Society of Professional Journalists (2017), to minimize harm, ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect, while journalist should also consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of publication.
The Boston Herald irresponsibly reported in April 2017 with the death of the former NFL football player, Aaron Hernandez.
The article sensationalizing the headline of the death of the former NFL football player by “EX-NFL star Aaron Hernandez hangs himself in his prison” , which is in appropriate as the former bowl’s player suicide would attract enough attention from the public without embellishment, it could have been titled “EX-NFL Star Aaron Hernandez dies by suicide” as instead of giving to much detail on method and location on where the suicide happened to the public, as explicit depictions of self-harm have been linked to copycat behaviour and methods of self-harm are often similar or the same as methods of suicide (Mindframe, 2017).
Aside from the dramatic headline, the article also covers a lot of irrelevant details of Hernandez. According to reporting and portrayal of suicide by Mind Frame 2017, including the lawsuit of Hernandez mother’s over the estate of Hernandez, as well as where he tied to hang himself, as well as the security level of the stadium he played and his criminal history. Which disrespectful for his family but potentially a trigger for others at risk.
The article also stereotyped the death of Hernandez by irrelevant source by quoting a random neighbour of Hernandez to comment about his cause of death by “In the Dorchester neighborhood where Lloyd grew up, a family friend of the victim wondered if Hernandez could no longer bear the weight of his crime and his squandered potential.”
It assumes the direct cause and effect as only one reason for the suicide by Most suicides are the result of several factors including health such as head trauma, family history of suicide or mental illness as well as environmental factors such as his incarceration. While life in prison no doubt played into his decision to end his life, it’s probably not the only one. Telling the story in a simplistic way like this undermines the struggle and perpetuates the stigma surrounding suicide.
Lastly, despite having explicit images of the player, the are no mention of suicide prevention resources accompanying the article. At least, there should be a suicide hotline, as it provides options for crisis support to vulnerable people who may be adversely impacted by a euthanasia story.
Positive suicide report example
Covering suicide carefully, or briefly, can change public misperceptions and correct myths, which can encourage those who are vulnerable or at risk to seek help. The report on Shah's youngest son, Alireza Pahlavi’s death in 2011 by The Sydney Morning Herald is an good example.
The article did not only place the death of Alireza Pahlavi in context, but respectfully providing readers with information regarding the ongoing personal and medical issues he dealt with throughout his life. Additionally, the story includes personal tributes from family and friends, recognising Alireza's strengths and achievements throughout his life. In which, the word 'suicide' was not mentioned in article or the headline. It also reminds the media outlets to include helpline numbers whenever reporting on suicide related issues.
The inclusion of helplines gave readers who may have been upset by the article access to further information and support services.
According to the principle of utility by John Stuart Mill, journalists should seek the greatest happiness for the greatest number, that good news must be promoted while bad news has to be restrained (Lavalle, 2017). The article is a perfect piece of journalistic example to ethically report suicide by addressing the cause of suicide of Pahlav, which is depression to the public, and raise the awareness of depression as treatable mental health to avoid suicide.
In stead of giving irrelevant details and stereotyping certain menial illness, the article emphasises the impact that mental illness has on family members, friends. It also warned against judging people with mental illness. Besides, the article offers hope to the public by giving out hotlines and website that encourages people to seek help, as it is important for the public to recognize the early signs of mental illness. By emphasises the importance of seeking treatment early , it allows the public be aware about mental health services.
Aside from that, information about mental illness and specific mental disorders are bring reported based information from reliable sources such as recommended experts. Allows people who have experienced mental illness to tell their own stories or. Highlights the complexity of mental illness. The term ‘mental illness’ covers a wide range of symptoms, conditions, and effects on people’s lives
In brief, pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness, higher ethical standard in suicide reporting is essential, at the end journalist are human as well, they should report suicide to the public with ethics, respect and dignity in order to minimize harm.
Reference list
America foundation of suicide prevention. 2017. Accessed on May 1, 2017.https://afsp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/recommendations.pdf
Ethical journalism network. 2017. Accessed on May 1,2017http://ethicaljournalismnetwork.org/who-we-are/5-principles-of-journalism
Boston herald. 2017. Accessed on May 1,2017http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_coverage/2017/04/ex_nfl_star_aaron_hernandez_hangs_himself_in_his_prison_cell
Mindframe. 2017. “Reporting suicide” Accessed on May 1,2017http://www.mindframe-media.info/for-media/reporting-suicide
The Sydney Morning Herald. 2011. Accessed on May 1,2017http://www.smh.com.au/world/shahs-youngest-son-found-dead-after-years-of-battling-depression-20110105-19g8i.html
Society of professional journalism. 2017.“Code of ethics” Accessed on May 1,2017