Every so often - okay, every day - I read the news and shake my head. What exactly is going on in this world? Hmmmm? The commonality between news stories is a bit unnerving on any given day. For example:
- Bridges and overpasses:
- How many stories have been published recently about people throwing animals and children off bridges and overpasses?
- Suicides:
- How many stories have been published recently about people attempting / committing suicide?
Now I know that these things have been happening for generations; there's nothing new. But, do we need to read about it in the news, see it on television? When I was younger, out of respect for the families - and the sensibilities of the readers - those types of stories weren't published as front-page news, if they were published at all.
Not to mention, studies have been done, for years, investigating whether there is a direct correlation between
media reports and dramatizations of successful suicides / violent actions and an increase in such behaviors. (The first recorded incident of copycat suicides, for example, dates back to 1774 in Germany and creates the basis for the
Werther Effect.) Recently, guidelines were published for journalists in Hong Kong, which has seen an increase in copycat suicides that they believe are directly related to reporting practices:
- Coverage of recent suicides has caused serious concern among some circles in Hong Kong. Media studies in overseas countries have pointed out that coverage of such cases creates a so-called "copy-cat" effect, prompting more people to choose suicide as a way to solve their problems. However, academics are not unanimous on this point. Some studies argue that there has been no significant correlation between the reporting of individual cases and the actual number of suicides over a given period.
- The Hong Kong Journalists Association has compared the way overseas news organizations cover suicides. In the United States and Canada, journalists have agreed generally among themselves not to report individual cases. Instead, they focus on general suicide trends and the reasons for such trends. However, they have agreed to report suicides which involve a celebrity or which have a significant impact on the public. In many other countries, such as the United Kingdom and Australia, there are no specific rules on the reporting of individual cases, except that news organizations normally exercise a certain degree of self-restraint and try to avoid creating any "copy-cat" effect.
- The HKJA believes that a total ban on the coverage of individual suicides is not appropriate in Hong Kong. However, journalists should seek to strike a balance between the need to report news and the danger of creating a "copy-cat" effect.
- Editors and reporters should in particular be aware of the impact that stories about suicides might have on the vulnerable. They should be aware of the following:
- Certain sensationalists ways of describing suicide in the news contribute to copy-cat cases;
- Inadvertent romanticization of suicides may encourage others to identify with a victim; and
- Reporting of detailed suicide methods can encourage vulnerable individuals to imitate these methods.
- In dealing with suicides, the HKJA recommends that the press should follow the principles stated below, unless overriding public interest is involved:
- Journalists should adopt a low-key approach in handling suicide news. They should consider placing such stories on the inside pages of newspapers, and in less prominent positions in radio and television news bulletins, if such stories are used at all, given the significant influence the electronic media have on public attitudes.
- They should avoid a detailed description of the suicide method.
- The media should avoid giving a false impression, in particular to youngsters, that suicide is away(sic) to become famous. The use of a victim's full name and photograph is therefore discouraged.
- The media should respect the privacy of family members and avoid imposing on the grief of those affected.
- Since there are many complicated reasons for suicides, journalists should avoid simplicity and blaming any party for a particular case. Of greater importance, the media should devote more space to coverage of suicide trends and ways to remedy problems related to such trends.
- When reporting individual cases, newspapers should consider publishing information about organizations and counseling services, which may prevent suicides. These include the Samaritans and other voluntary agencies.
- In covering suicide stories, journalists should be aware that the media can play a powerful role in educating the public about suicide prevention. Stories about suicide can inform readers and viewers about the likely causes of suicide, warning signs, trends in suicide rates, recent treatment advances, and cases where individuals have overcome despair without resorting to suicide.
"Guidelines on Coverage of Suicides" Suicide and the Media: Recommendations on Suicide Reporting for Media Professionals Pg. 33
The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Center for Suicide Research and Prevention, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong
http://csrp.hku.hk/files/70_1894_345.pdf
Not long ago, a troubled young man took his own life. We all heard about it on the news. In the note which he left behind, he stated that at least he would now be famous. And that, in my mind, is exactly what is wrong with the way these stories, and stories like the Columbine shootings, are being handled. By publishing the names of these troubled kids and the details of their actions, other troubled youth may come to see the reported behaviors as an option for them, as well.
While the death of a celebrity may be newsworthy, I strongly believe that the death of an individual, outside the spotlight of the entertainment industry, should be virtually ignored. It should never be front-page news. And violent behavior, by individuals of any age, should never be glorified with prurient details of the crimes committed.
Life is not a video game - don't reward violence!
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Jules
Labels: Media, News, Philosophy
Sadly, we have lost a great scientific mind, as well as an amazing science fiction writer today, with the death of Arthur C. Clarke. Battling post-polio syndrome since the 1960s and often being forced to use a wheelchair, Clarke's mind carried him out into space. 
Today, I tried something new from 
