Press Release 30 June 2015
Magazines Ireland has welcomed the recent announcement by the Press Council that its Code of Practice has been amended to encourage sensitive reporting of suicide.
The Press Council code states: “In the reporting of suicide, excessive detail of the means of suicide should be avoided.” The new requirement was drafted following concern that some coverage could lead to “copycat” suicides as vulnerable people, on learning of a particular method of suicide, could take that method to take their own lives.
Just this month Headline, the national media monitoring programme for mental health and suicide has selected Magazines Ireland member, Hot Press as winner of the inaugural Headline National Magazine Award for journalism relating to mental health and suicide.
Grace Aungier, CEO, Magazines Ireland said, “This award was created by Headline in recognition of the vital role magazines in Ireland play in promoting positive mental health and opening up the issues surrounding suicide”.
The publication was picked following extensive media analysis conducted by Headline, which found that Hot Press has shown a genuine commitment to covering these important issues.
Editor Niall Stokes said: “I have always believed that it is hugely important to remove the stigma which historically surrounded mental health issues in Ireland. One of the most effective ways of doing this is to ensure that the subject is covered, in the right way, and without sensationalism, in the media. Receiving this award is a vindication for all of the staff here that we have been on the right track in this regard.
“In particular, in Hot Press, we want to make sure that those who are wrestling with any form of mental health issue or suicide ideation, are aware that they are not alone and that others – including many successful and well-known people – have faced the same difficulties and come out the other side with renewed strength and sense of purpose. As Headline knows better than most, it is an area of deep, ongoing concern in Ireland, especially among young people, who are such an important part of the Hot Press readership. That is why we are committed to continuing our coverage of mental health issues – with the objective of furthering what we believe is a vitally important national campaign.”
