Citation

Kar SK, Padhy SK, Bhoi R, Pattnaik JI, Menon V. Indian J. Psychiatry 2022; 64(1): 80-83.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Medknow Publications)

DOI

10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_398_21

PMID

35400754

PMCID

PMC8992751

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Imbalanced media reporting of suicide may increase suicide risk among vulnerable individuals.

AIM: This study aims to assess the quality of suicide reporting in print newspapers of Odisha, a high suicide burden state in Eastern India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed all eligible media reports of suicide in selected English and local language printed newspapers of Odisha between October 1, 2019, and September 30, 2020. Quality assessment was carried out against international as well as local reporting guidelines.

RESULTS: A total of 248 news reports were analyzed. Majority of the articles reported identifying details (such as name [74.2%], age [60.9%], and gender [98.4%] of deceased) as well as a detailed description about the suicide event (suicide method [87.5%] and location [84.3%]). More than half (54.8%) of the reports attributed suicide to a single cause.

CONCLUSION: Suicide reports in print newspapers of Odisha are poorly adherent to local and international suicide reporting guidelines.

Language: en

Keywords

India; suicide; suicide prevention; media; Werther effect