A study published in Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry stressed the necessity of using best practices when portraying suicide in the media. So here we are.
International law
The World Health Organisation's guidelines ask professionals not to place suicide-related stories prominently or repeatedly; use language that sensationalises or normalises suicide; explicitly describe the method and location; use sensational headlines; or use photographs, video footage or social media links.
The international body instead asks journalists to provide accurate information and where to seek help; report stories of how to cope with life's stresses; apply particular caution when reporting celebrity suicides; apply particular caution when interviewing bereaved family or friends; and to recognise that reporters themselves may be effectively impacted by suicide stories.
As is the case with what feels like the entire international law matrix there are no direct implications or accountability measures if New Zealand's media landscape decides to contravene said rules.
The NZ legal matrix
For local reporters, the Coronor's Act 2006, Sections 71, 73, and 74 impose blanket restrictions - with exceptions - on "making public" the details of self-inflicted deaths. Details include the method, any detail that suggests the method, or a description of the death as a suicide. News outlets that contravene the legislation could be subject to a conviction and fine of up to $20,000.
Section 75 allows for any person, including the media, who is dissatisfied with a Coroner's ruling to seek a judicial review through the High Court.
Despite amendments made in 2016 - which allows media to report a death as a suspected suicide before a coroner rules on the cause - some argue the traditional blanket approach to not revealing information around a death leads to inaccurate reporting.
Some also argue that the Act is inconsistent with Section 14 of the Bill of Rights Act 1990 and the right to freedom of expression.
Current suicide guidelines
A reporting suicide resource developed by a media roundtable, which was adopted by the Media Freedom Committee and the Newspaper Publishers' Association in December 2011, asks reporters not to simplify the cause of death, specify the method or location, or simply focus on a person's positive characteristics.
When approaching bereaved families reporters are discouraged from oversimplifying or insinuating there was a single cause to the death, and expressing empathy by way of saying they know how the other party must feel because they too have had a similar experience.
News outlets are instead told to consider how newsworthy suicide should be treated as a story; to explore the risk factors; report suicide in a factually correct, straightforward matter; provide information on support services; and to provide a balanced report that promotes help and solutions.
Reporters are told to ultimately think about the language used and whether said language, images, or presentation glorifies, trivialise, or romanticises suicide - with particular reference to young people.
Gaps in the guidelines
The issue is that the guidelines are convoluted and subjective.
Where do you draw the line when reporting on the merits of someone's life, and the impact they had, without glorifying or memorialising a person who died by suicide in the process?
Then there's the issue of suicide attempts. If a suicide attempt doesn't end in death, do the same guidelines apply?
And while a trigger warning and helpline information may prevent triggering vulnerable people, it arguably also acts as a sign-post to suicide stories (even though it's not explicitly mentioned).
Finally, there's the elephant in the room: whether newsrooms or journalism schools have the capacity or mandate to fully train and inform journalists on suicide reporting best-practice.
It's no secret that the industry has been struggling, where the pressures are high to produce more content, and quickly, and jobs are scarce.
Nevertheless, it's about time the guidelines are made more clear. Should go further and be mandatory in journalism teaching and workplaces, and have accountability measure? I think so.
Imagine a world where New Zealand media sets the agenda in terms of ethical reporting. It could be a game-changer.
Where to get help:
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youth services: (06) 3555 906
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• Helpline: 1737
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
