Failure of media in self regulation in suicide reporting
Hareesh
(Querist) 10 September 2018
This query is : Resolved
Dear Sir,
I am a mental health professional upset with the print and electronic media behaviour and comments on people who end up their life by committing suicide.
International research suggests that the way a suicide is depicted in print and electronic media can increase the chances of other vulnerable people committing suicides by adopting the same method in that society within few months of such depiction. It can more so if the suicide coverage is about a famous person and or if the depiction of such suicide is more detailed, vivid, dramatic with images, suicide notes and repetitive.
In this background WHO and IASP have even released guidelines for media self-regulation in the manner of reporting suicide. However, such international guidelines are not Indian laws which Indian media should adhere to compulsorily.
Now my question is does the print and electronic media in India has unlimited rights in publishing whatever it wants on the pretext of " Public need to know", "the public should know"?
Are there any judgments and Indian law sections which talks about how a suicide should be reported by media?
Can print media publish a suicide note picture or even the content as it is without the written consent of case investigation officer?
Does the dead person or his family members have any right on photographs published depicting dead body hanging from a tree and or kept on mortuary?
Is there any judgment which prohibits media from publishing specific details like name and age of the deceased person who ends up life by suicide just like how a women victim of a sexual offence should not be revealed through media?
Finally, can a government employee file a PIL with respect to this?
Vijay Raj Mahajan
(Expert) 10 September 2018
Very relevant issue raised by you but unfortunately there is as such no law or rule that will direct the publication of news about suicide victims in general.
The court may pass directives with regard to a particular case if prayed by the relatives of the victim for not publishing contents or photos of the victim but for getting even such directives from the court it will take time and as all know today's media is extraordinary enthusiastic by nature will publish any such news or contents about the victim such as the photographs etc.on the basis of first come first basis.
The PIL in this regard can be filled in the Supreme Court for getting directives with regards to publication of any news of suicide on the basis of WHO and IASP guidelines.
Any infringement with regard to these directives should be made punishable as contempt of court by any such authority including media.
