How newsrooms can better tread suicide coverage

KUALA LUMPUR – Local media outlets can refer to international resources to educate the public and provide ethical coverage on suicide, a veteran journalist said.
 
This is in the absence of detailed guidelines on the reporting of suicides, which seem to be scant in Malaysian newsrooms.
 
Himanshu Bhatt, executive editor of The Vibes, said that international media circles have come up with several good guidelines discouraging media outlets from encouraging or glorifying suicide.
 
He cited the World Health Organisation (WHO) booklet titled Preventing Suicide: A Resource for Media Professionals as an example.
 
The booklet was prepared by WHO’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse with the help of the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
 
Among others, the guideline prompts the media to educate the public about suicide, and avoid language that sensationalises or normalises suicide, or present it as a solution to problems.
 
“It has a lot of resources and examples on how reporting can be used to educate the public, where the language used should not be sensationalising and should avoid explicit descriptions of the methods used, apart from the usage of photographs, video footage and visuals,” he said.

Himanshu, who has some 30 years’ experience in the media under his belt, said this during a webinar titled “Destigmatising Suicide: The Role of The Media” organised by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ).
 
The talk, which was moderated by CIJ communications and content programme officer Shahirah Hamid, included former deputy women, family and community development minister and Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh, emotional support group Befrienders’ executive director Kenny Lim and CIJ media strengthening programme officer Ng Miao Ling.

The event saw the CIJ unveiling its Guidelines on Ethical and Responsible Reporting on Suicide, which the NGO has prepared in collaboration with Befrienders KL. 

The handy document in English and Malay is available for viewing and download online.

It asserts that worries and anxiety surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic in the country have caused a severe strain on people’s mental health and well-being.

The document provides a list of do’s and don’ts on the reporting of suicide. It also explains why unethical reporting on suicide is problematic, giving examples of “good” and “bad” reporting on the issue.

It also notes that the Health Ministry (MoH) has prepared guidelines for ethical reporting on suicide based on WHO recommendations.

Another resource, Himanshu said, is the Guidance on Reporting Suicide developed by the UK-based Independent Press Standards Organisation.
 
“They have a whole list of guidelines to help journalists and editors report on suicide cases to prevent people from being influenced,” he said.
 
“These (guidelines) limit the risk of people who are vulnerable from following suit, and (encourage) not reporting on novel methods of suicide that make people be inspired by certain ideas.”
 
They also promote news coverage that is sensitive towards people who are in a state of grief or shock, he added.

Show care for those left behind, too
 
Himanshu also said media organisations should examine the way they report suicides involving celebrities and how it could impact readers and viewers to keep from “glorifying” the act.
 
“There is also the issue of showing due consideration for people who are bereaved, such as friends and family affected by the act (of suicide) and the stigma involved.

“(But) at the end of the day, most media organisations are already providing information on where people can seek help. (For example) Befrienders is always (mentioned) in the footnote of such articles. It's a multidimensional issue,” he said.

Meanwhile, Yeoh said she hopes the media will show more empathy with caregivers left behind by those who commit suicide.
 
“I have attended funerals like these before and spoken to parents who are in shock because they did not see this coming,” she said.
 
“Everyone blames the parents. But they are covered with shame and guilt. After the news reporting (of the incident), no one follows up on what is next for this group of people. 
 
“I really want more empathy and care given to the caregivers, the people who are left behind (because) I really think that they are not seen or heard in news reporting.
 
“They carry with them a lifetime of pain. Maybe the media can cover ways that caregivers can support each other through networking, as peer support is important,” Yeoh said.

Think before posting on social media 
 
Lim, meanwhile, advised social media users to think before they post or share suicide-related information to avoid causing harm.
 
“For example, sharing photos of suicide incidents, every time that happens on social media, we get messages from people who are affected by it.
 
“It is good to know on Facebook there are functions to report a post that you think is not appropriate,” he said.

“To everyone who is struggling out there, please reach out for help; there is someone out there who cares for you, who will listen to you.”
 
Lim added that, other than Befrienders, there are other helplines in Malaysia that can assist those suffering from mental issues.
 
Yeoh said the government should fully fund Befrienders due to the increasing number of people needing counselling.
 
She said the NGO is currently carrying a heavy load due to the rising cases of people needing support, which is “too heavy for them”.
 
Yeoh also called on the National Security Council to use its resources to send free texts informing audiences on counselling services that they can access if they need help. – The Vibes, October 23, 2021

Befrienders can be reached at 03-76272929 or [email protected]. The Penang helpline is at 04-2910100 or 011-56706261 (WhatsApp). The federal government’s Talian Kasih hotline is 15999