John, Ann, Hawton, Keith, Gunnell, David, Lloyd, Keith, Scourfield, Jonathan Bryn  ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6218-8158, Jones, Phillip A., Luce, Ann, Marchant, Amanda, Platt, Steve, Price, Sian and Dennis, Michael S.
2017.
Newspaper reporting on a cluster of suicides in the UK.
Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
38
(1)
, pp. 17-25.
10.1027/0227-5910/a000410
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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.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Status: | Published |
| Schools: | Research Institutes & Centres > Centre For Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer) Schools > Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education) |
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare N Fine Arts > NE Print media |
| Publisher: | Hogrefe |
| ISSN: | 0227-5910 |
| Funders: | NISCHR Welsh Government |
| Date of First Compliant Deposit: | 4 August 2016 |
| Date of Acceptance: | 2 March 2016 |
| Last Modified: | 27 Nov 2024 06:15 |
| URI: | https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/93574 |
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