Guidance to editors on reporting suicides has been updated in the wake of the furore over coverage of last year’s multiple deaths in the area around Brigend, South Wales.

The issue is just one of the topics covered in the new “Editor’s Codebook” publisbed by the Press Complaints Commission’s Editors Code of Practice Committee today.

The second edition of the book features a major expansion on the reporting of suicide in the wake last year’s controversy over the so-called Bridgend “suicide cult.”

The national and local media came under heavy fire from the police and families of victims who felt some of the coverage was graphic and intruded into their privacy.

The new edition of the codebook points out that some of the concerns expressed are already covered by aspects of the code, such as rule designed to limit publication of “excessive detail.”

However it also suggests possible new areas in which editors might voluntarily mitigate the impact of legitimate publicity on grieving families.

These include not using pictures of victims supplied from social networking sites without the family’s consent and publishing helpline numbers for charities working with people with suicidal feelings.

It also warns against the republication of photographs of previous suicide victims each time a new death occurs.

Anne Parry, chair of PAPYRUS the national charity for Prevention of Young Suicide, said: “We particularly welcome the new separate briefing section on the reporting of suicide.

“This is a very positive move forward, the outcome of continuing co-operation between those working to protect and promote the wellbeing of vulnerable people and those around them, and the organisations that deliver the nation’s news.

“As a result, we look forward to more sensitive and informed reporting.”

The Codebook was first published in 2005 and is a companion to the Editors’ Code of Practice. Its aim is to help journalists and members of the public understand how the Code works in practice.

Other key additions include:

The Society of Editors is supplying copies to all its members. Executive director Bob Satchwell said: “This book is a must-have in every newsroom. It is a map through the ethical minefield.

“It will not make you bombproof but it demonstrates that if you use the Code carefully and with common sense you can get to where you need to be with all your best journalistic principles intact.”

Comments

Cleland F Thom (09/03/2009 13:24:10)
Wonder when there will be a Code announcement/ revision that allows the press to say MORE, not less?