FED:Media to be urged to report on suicide

AAP General News (Australia)
08-02-2011
FED:Media to be urged to report on suicide

SYDNEY, Aug 2 AAP - The Australian media will be urged to report on suicide and related
issues under new guidelines released by the Australian Press Council.

The council has released new standards of practice for reporting suicide and discussing
related issues, which will be binding on all publications affiliated with the council,
including all major newspapers and magazines around Australia.

Traditionally, the Australian media has been reticent to report on suicides.

"The new standards emphasise that general reporting and comment on issues relating
to suicide can be of substantial public benefit," council chair Julian Disney said in
a statement.

"It can help to improve public understanding of causes and warning signs, have a deterrent
effect on people contemplating suicide, bring comfort to affected relatives or friends,
or promote further public or private action to prevent suicide.

"There should not be a taboo on reporting of this kind."

Professor Disney said the new guidelines were developed after extensive consultation
with mental health experts, editors and journalists, and promoted responsible reporting
of suicides.

"It is important to be very careful, however, when the material is likely to be read
or seen by people who may be especially vulnerable (for example, because of their age
or mental health) and relates to suicides by their peers or by celebrities."

The new standards include restrictions on naming people who have died by suicide, providing
details about methods of suicide, and using inappropriate language.

AAP jlw/bwl

KEYWORD: SUICIDE

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