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Newspaper Reporting on a Cluster of Suicides in the UK
Ann John1,2, Keith Hawton3, David Gunnell4
11 Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Sciences 2, Swansea University, Swansea, UK.
Background:
Media reporting may influence suicide clusters through imitation or contagion. In 2008 there was extensive national and international newspaper coverage of a cluster of suicides in young people in the Bridgend area of South Wales, UK.
Aims:
To explore the quantity and quality of newspaper reporting during the identified cluster.
Method:
Searches were conducted for articles on suicide in Bridgend for 6 months before and after the defined cluster (June 26, 2007, to September 16, 2008). Frequency, quality (using the PRINTQUAL instrument), and sensationalism were examined.
Results:
In all, 577 newspaper articles were identified. One in seven articles included the suicide method in the headline, 47.3% referred to earlier suicides, and 44% used phrases that guidelines suggest should be avoided. Only 13% included sources of information or advice.
Conclusion:
A high level of poor-quality and sensationalist reporting was found during an ongoing suicide cluster at the very time when good-quality reporting could be considered important. A broad awareness of media guidelines and expansion and adherence to press codes of practice are required by journalists to ensure ethical reporting.
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