Nalzaro: Media’s responsibility in reporting suicides

IF CEBU City North District Councilor Nina Mabatid has her way, she wants to minimize or prevent the media from reporting suicide cases as reporting these in details will encourage others to commit the same and it’s very traumatic to the loved ones of the victim. In her privilege speech during the council’s regular session last week, the neophyte councilor urged her colleagues to make legislative intervention to “prevent the media from excessively reporting” suicide cases. In the police data, there were a total of 800 suicide cases recorded from 2016 to 2019.

It was not clear if Mabatid was either calling to minimize the reporting or prevent media from reporting suicide cases. While the heading was “City Council calls on media to minimize coverage of suicide cases,” there was a portion in Mabatid speech that “she urged the council to make legislative intervention to prevent media from excessively reporting on suicide cases.”

Was she asking or urging the media to “tone down” suicide cases reporting or she wants the council to come up with legislation on media’s reportage on suicide cases? However, South District Councilor Antonio Cuenco, a veteran national legislator, a freedom fighter and a former radio personality, said the City Council cannot censor the media on what to report because that is contrary to what is stipulated in the Constitution, which protects press freedom. Cuenco said the council can only appeal to the media to be sensitive in covering suicide cases and avoid naming the victims and their families.

I agree with Councilor Cuenco that the council cannot legislate the role of the media much less dictate the media on what to or what not to report. We call it “prior restraint” or a sort of censorship if they come up with that kind of legislation. Congress did not even come up with legislation to that effect.

It is clear in Article III, Section 4 (Bill of Rights) in our 1987 Constitution, which states: “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, of the press or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”

In mainstream media, we have our respective policies about reporting sensationalized stories, especially suicide cases. For the broadcast media, there is the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) ethics that should be followed by member-stations. For the print media, each media organization has its own editorial policies on how to handle such stories. What I mean is that the responsibilities on how to handle sensitive stories lie on the judgement of the broadcast network/station and newspaper’s editorial board.

On naming of the suicide victims and their families, as I said, it will depend on the discretion of the media outlet policies. Will we withhold the name of the victim if he/she is prominent? There are some laws that prohibit media from naming the personalities involved in the news. Like for example, if the victim is a minor, especially those rape victims and in conflict with the law. It’s a “no-no.” We cannot mention their identities. Another, if the issue is about “intra-family matters,” like violence against women, annulment and legal separation, media is prohibited from divulging the details. Unless the personalities involved will voluntarily come out in the open.

There are two schools of thought on Mabatid’s concern. First, she said “sensationalizing” it will encourage people to commit suicide. Well, maybe. But on the other hand, if the reporting is balanced, let’s say, by giving the side of an expert, like psychologists or psychiatrists who will provide advice, it will also discourage other people from taking their own lives.

The backbone of any democracy is an independent, professional and responsible media. Their role is to inform, criticize and stimulate debate. For the media to be credible, it has to take responsibility for getting its facts right. Mabatid is concerned with mainstream media, which always carries the word “responsibility.” But what about social media? Even gory scenes, sensationalized reportage and even fake news are immediately published? Who will control them? Can we also urge them to minimize their reporting?

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph