Citation

John A, Hawton K, Gunnell D, Lloyd K, Scourfield J, Jones PA, Luce A, Marchant A, Platt S, Price S, Dennis MS. Crisis 2016; 38(1): 17-25.

Affiliation

Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Sciences 2, Swansea University, Swansea, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, International Association for Suicide Prevention, Publisher Hogrefe Publishing)

DOI

10.1027/0227-5910/a000410

PMID

27445013

Abstract

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.

Language: en