1. Covering SuicideRachele Kanigel San Francisco State Universityhttp://www.slideshare.net/rkanigel/covering-suicide

2. Suicide: To cover or not to cover? When should a news organization report newsof a suicide? Why should a news organization report asuicide? What are the reasons for not reporting onsuicide? How can journalists, especially studentjournalists, cover suicide responsibly? 3. Most professional newsorganizations DO NOT cover suicideunless It causes a public spectacle Its committed in connection with anothercrime, such as a homicide or kidnapping Its committed by a public figure 4. Student news organizations oftenDO cover suicide because It may affect a large segment of the campuscommunity Suicide is the leading cause of death amongcollege students (6 suicides per 100,000college students per year, according to arecent study) Coverage can dispel rumors It can help the community heal and makesense of a tragedy 5. 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, its warning signs, trends in suicide rates, and recent treatment advances. They can also highlight opportunities to prevent suicide. --American Society of Suicidology 6. Risk: Suicide clusters Every year in the United States 100 to 200youngsters die in suicide clusters, and thereare signs that the rate is rising. Suicide clusters in the U.S. occurpredominantly among teenagers and youngadults.-- Suicide and Mental Health AssociationInternational 7. Media contagion Research suggests that spotlighting a suicidethrough media coverage can actuallyencourage others to follow suit -- especially ifsuicide is portrayed as glamorous or romantic. Prominent newspaper (or television) coverageof a suicide has been found to increasesuicidal behavior within thereadership(viewing) area of the newspaper(network). 8. Ethics Case Study: U of Portland In March 2009 a University of Portland studentcommitted suicide The Beacon wrote a story with the headline:Suicide claims UP senior University officials pulled the paper, saying theheadline was insensitive, inappropriate anddesigned to shock people. 9. Ethics Case Study: U of PortlandSuicide claims UP senior Do you think the headline was insensitive? What would you have done if campus officialsyanked your paper from the racks in asituation like this? 10. Ethics Case Study: San FranciscoState UniversityIn September a SFSU student set himself on fire at a gas station.Here are the original Golden Gate Xpress story and a follow-up: 11. Ethics Case Study: SFSUWhat do you think of the use of suicide in the headlines?Is the original story too graphic?Should the paper have described the cause of death?Should the paper have gone into so much detail about his state of mind? 12. Ethics Case Study: University ofOttawaOn Sept. 19, 2009 a 19-year-old jumped to his death from the 15th floor of a U of Ottawa residence hallThe Fulcrum named the student but didnt say how he died 13. Case Study: University of OttawaShould the story have included the fact the student had committed suicide?Was it irresponsible to say the student fell rather than that he jumped?Did the paper sweep the issue under the rug or protect its readers? 14. Ethics Case Study: Princeton UWas it responsible for The Daily Princetonian to report on a suicide attempt?When is it appropriate to report on an attempted suicide? 15. The DailyToreador,Texas TechUniversity 16. The DailyToreador,Texas TechUniversity 17. Ethics Case Study: Texas Tech U.Was The Daily Toreador insensitive in its coverage of the story?What could the paper have done to ensure the story wouldnt offend readers and friends of the dead young man?Should editors worry about offending friends and family members in covering a suicide or simply report the truth? 18. Tips for Covering Suicide 19. How to cover suicide responsiblyDont oversimplify reasons for the suicide, such as blaming it on stress.Dont make it seem painless or easy.Dont sensationalize the death.Avoid melodramatic languague ex: tragic death, a life cut short 20. How to cover suicide responsiblyDont glorify the victim.Dont engage in ongoing or excessive coverage.Dont use the word suicide unless official sources police or family members confirm the cause of death was suicide. 21. How to cover suicide responsiblyDont provide a how-to; dont cover the method of death in detail.Bring awareness to the problemOffer resources -- suicide hotlines, counseling services, etc.Doublecheck statements from family members 22. Readings on Covering SuicidePoynter: Reporting on SuicideThe Globe & Mail: Burying the story wont stop suicideDart Center for Journalism & Trauma: Covering Teen SuicideDart Center: SuicideReportingonSuicide.org 23. Links to Stories Referenced The Beacon, University of Portland Golden Gate Xpress, San Francisco State U The Daily Toreador, Texas Tech University Fulcrum, University of Ottawa The Daily Princetonian, Princeton U 24. More information about coveringsuicide can be found inThe Student Newspaper SurvivalGuide This slide show can be found athttp://www.slideshare.net/rkanigel/covering-suicide