Seanad debates
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
Order of Business
11:00 am
Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)
I ask the Cathaoirleach to bear with me in mentioning briefly the tragic death of the Welsh soccer manager. It goes without saying the death of this young man by suicide was shocking and horrific. However, I feel extremely strongly about the media reports of such tragedies. It is critical we fully address this issue. Many research studies draw a link between how a suicide is reported and copycat suicides. In 2009 an updated media guideline on the reporting of cases of suicide and self-harm was launched. It provides information for journalists on how such events should be reported. For example, the guideline recommends disseminating contact information on support services to encourage persons at risk to seek help at an early stage. Using yesterday's newspapers as an example, the majority of articles on the death of Gary Speed did not include contact details for support groups. Of the eight papers reviewed in my office, The Star alone included details of Samaritans.
The media guideline also discourages the highlighting of expressions of grief, yet most Irish newspapers yesterday carried a picture of a visibly distraught Shay Given in tears after the death of his close friend. To quote the guideline: "Research suggests that media portrayal can influence suicidal behaviour and this may result in suicide and-or an increase in the use of particular methods".
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