Media urged to end suicide ‘cover-up’

A CORONER has called on editors and journalists to end the evading and “cover-up” in the reporting of deaths by suicide.

These and other comments were made by John Cannon at this week’s sitting of Letterkenny Coroner’s Court.

He was speaking at the end of the inquest into the tragic death of a South African national who took his own life near Letterkenny last year.

Hans Loubser, 42, from the Sea Point area of Cape Town, was found in the back of a rented van near New Mills, Letterkenny on Thursday, August 20, 2009.

Mr Cannon described suicide as a “tragic phenomenon” which mainly affected young men.

“Death by suicide leaves a terrible burden of guilt and grief on the family. The trail of trauma left behind is unimaginable. It’s a pity they would not stop and think again,” Mr Cannon said.

He claimed that suicide was becoming very prominent in Ireland because deaths had not been given precedence in the traditional media.

“Most deaths due to road traffic accidents are routinely given national news coverage, quite often making news headlines. However, coverage of deaths by suicide, which have equally high numbers of fatalities, seems to be left unwritten,” he said.

Mr Cannon added that coverage of road traffic accidents may be thought-provoking and have a beneficial effect by alerting people to the fatal affects of speed, carelessness and over indulgence of alcohol.

“However, it appears that coverage of suicide fatalities is believed to have the opposite effect – lest it should encourage emulation”.

“I know there are still observable elements of social stigma surrounding the reporting of suicide deaths and, quite possibly, this is primarily the single reason why suicide is not given the same prominence in journalistic reporting. On the other hand, there is no doubt the desire on the part of the editors and journalists not to exacerbate the grief of already distraught families and friends”.

He added that when suicide deaths are reported, they are often vague and the reader is given “a hint” such as the use of the word “tragic” without any reason being offered.

“To me, it comes across that the lack of an explanation is in itself the explanation,” Mr Cannon said.

He added that journalists should not be seen to deny that, often, details of suicides are already spreading worldwide by new electronic communication.