Assessing the Use of Media Reporting Recommendations by the World Health Organization in Suicide News Published in the Most Influential Media Sources in China, 2003-2015

Xin Chu; Xingyi Zhang; Peixia Cheng; David C Schwebel; Guoqing Hu

doi:10.3390/ijerph15030451

Back

Assessing the Use of Media Reporting Recommendations by the World Health Organization in Suicide News Published in the Most Influential Media Sources in China, 2003-2015

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Assessing the Use of Media Reporting Recommendations by the World Health Organization in Suicide News Published in the Most Influential Media Sources in China, 2003-2015

Xin Chu, Xingyi Zhang, Peixia Cheng, David C Schwebel and Guoqing Hu

International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.15(3), p.451

03/05/2018

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15030451

PMCID: PMC5876996

PMID: 29510591

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15030451View

Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Public media reports about suicide are likely to influence the population's suicidal attempts and completed suicides. Irresponsible reports might trigger copycat suicidal behaviors, while responsible reports may help reduce suicide rates. The World Health Organization (WHO) released recommendations to encourage responsible suicide reports in 2008. However, little is known about whether these recommendations are reflected in the suicide news for most countries, including China. In this study, we assessed the responsibility of suicide stories published in the most influential newspaper and Internet media sources in China from 2003 to 2015, using the media reporting recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO). In total, 3965 and 1836 eligible stories from newspaper and Internet-based media, respectively, were included in the study. Newspapers and Internet-based media performed similarly in applying WHO recommendations to report suicide news. Three recommendations were applied in over 88% of suicide stories. However, four recommendations were seldom applied, including offering information about where to seek help and linking the suicide event to mental disorders. Government and the journalism industry should work together to improve media reporting of news about suicide in China.

China

Guideline Adherence - statistics & numerical data

Humans

Mass Media - standards

Mass Media - statistics & numerical data

Publications

Social Behavior

Suicidal Ideation

Suicide

Suicide, Attempted - prevention & control

World Health Organization

Details

Title: Subtitle: Assessing the Use of Media Reporting Recommendations by the World Health Organization in Suicide News Published in the Most Influential Media Sources in China, 2003-2015
Creators: Xin Chu - Central South University
Xingyi Zhang - Central South University
Peixia Cheng - Central South University
David C Schwebel - University of Alabama at Birmingham
Guoqing Hu - Central South University
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.15(3), p.451
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15030451
PMID: 29510591
PMCID: PMC5876996
NLM abbreviation: Int J Environ Res Public Health
ISSN: 1660-4601
eISSN: 1660-4601
Language: English
Date published: 03/05/2018
Academic Unit: Research Administration
Record Identifier: 9984949204102771

Metrics

10 Record Views