Military suicide coverage: AP news wire & suicide guidelines
Donna Schuman1, Regina T Praetorius1, Donelle M Barnes2
1a School of Social Work , The University of Texas at Arlington , Arlington , Texas , USA.
Death Studies
|June 5, 2016
Summary
News reporting on military suicide in 2012 often missed opportunities to promote help-seeking. Analysis of Associated Press stories revealed more negative than positive reporting practices, suggesting a need for specific military suicide reporting guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Medical Journalism
- Public Health Communication
- Military Mental Health
Background:
- 2012 marked a peak in military suicides.
- Media reporting plays a crucial role in public perception and help-seeking behaviors.
- Existing guidelines for reporting on suicide may not adequately address military-specific contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate adherence to the Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide™ in Associated Press (AP) News Wire stories.
- To compare military suicide coverage with civilian suicide coverage.
- To identify areas for improvement in media reporting on military suicide.
Main Methods:
- Content analysis of 167 individual suicide stories from AP News Wire.
- Random selection of stories from days in 2012.
- Categorization of stories based on adherence to reporting recommendations, distinguishing between military and civilian focus.
Main Results:
- Both military and civilian suicide stories contained approximately five negative reporting practices and less than one positive practice.
- Military suicide stories were significantly more likely than civilian stories to omit opportunities for promoting help-seeking.
- A notable gap exists in positive reporting, particularly concerning resources and support.
Conclusions:
- Current media reporting on military suicide, as exemplified by AP News Wire in 2012, falls short of best practice recommendations.
- There is a significant need for tailored guidelines for reporting on suicide within the military context.
- Improved reporting could enhance public awareness and encourage help-seeking among service members.
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