Journalism and suicide reporting guidelines in Canada: perspectives, partnerships and processes

Abstract

Research suggests that reporting suicide in the media has the potential to influence vulnerable individuals to emulate suicide behavior. Therefore, media guidelines for the responsible reporting of suicide have been developed and disseminated worldwide, but with mixed success. This study used semi-structured interviews with Canadian media professionals to understand the experience of reporting suicide and attitudes towards the suicide reporting guidelines in Canada. Findings indicate that media professionals view the guidelines as useful information within the bounds of normal reporting, but find them difficult to implement in light of media culture and realities. Interviews also highlighted the unique challenges of working across sectors with different sets of values, priorities and working styles. The study echoes the literature suggesting that collaborative guideline development and implementation is essential to meaningfully change suicide reporting practices.