Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BACKGROUND: People bereaved by suicide are often reported to be distressed by media reporting. Current media guidelines for reporting suicide focus especially on prevention of copycat behaviour. AIMS: To explore bereaved individuals' experiences of media reporting after suicide and to examine their priorities in relation to media guidelines. METHOD: In-depth interviews with 40 people bereaved by suicide, with qualitative analysis. Review of four guidelines. RESULTS: There is a difference of emphasis between guidance for the press that aims to prevent copycat suicides (especially avoidance of details such as method used) and the perspectives of bereaved people (who prioritise sympathetic and accurate reporting, sometimes including details of the death and images of the person who died). We found that bereaved relatives were sometimes keen to talk to the press. Those who were upset by the press focused on careless reporting, misquoting and speculation that gave an inaccurate impression of the death. CONCLUSIONS: The Leveson Inquiry has drawn attention to the damage that can be caused by irresponsible journalism. Guidelines written to prevent 'copycat' suicides are important, but so are the needs of bereaved relatives. Because accuracy matters greatly to the bereaved, families should be able to work with an intermediary such as a police press officer to prepare a statement for the press to minimise the risk of misrepresentation.

Original publication

DOI

10.1192/bjp.bp.112.114116

Type

Journal article

Journal

Br J Psychiatry

Publication Date

09/2013

Volume

203

Pages

228 - 232

Keywords

Adult, Aged, Bereavement, Codes of Ethics, Female, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Male, Middle Aged, Newspapers as Topic, Perception, Personal Satisfaction, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Suicide, Young Adult