How people bereaved by suicide perceive newspaper reporting: qualitative study

摘要: Background People bereaved by suicide are often reported to be distressed media reporting. Current guidelines for reporting focus especially on prevention of copycat behaviour. Aims To explore individuals' experiences after and examine their priorities in relation guidelines. Method In-depth interviews with 40 people suicide, qualitative analysis. Review four guidelines. Results There is a difference emphasis between guidance the press that aims prevent suicides (especially avoidance details such as method used) perspectives (who prioritise sympathetic accurate reporting, sometimes including death images person who died). We found relatives were keen talk press. Those upset focused careless misquoting speculation gave an inaccurate impression death. Conclusions The Leveson Inquiry has drawn attention damage can caused irresponsible journalism. Guidelines written ‘copycat’ important, but so needs relatives. Because accuracy matters greatly bereaved, families should able work intermediary police officer prepare statement minimise risk misrepresentation.