Suicide news reporting in Türkiye: Compliance with World Health Organization guidelines

Abstract

OBJECTIVE(S) Purpose: Suicide is a significant public health problem worlwide and in Turkey, where more than 4,000 people die by suicide each year. Responsible media reporting is a critical component of suicide prevention, as outlined in the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. These guidelines discourage sensationalism, the inclusion of explicit details, and personal disclosures, while promoting the dissemination of help-seeking resources. This study evaluates the adherence of Turkish media to these guidelines through a content analysis of suicide-related news published between 2022 and 2024. METHODS The study employed a cross-sectional content analysis, using Google News to collect 467 eligible reports from an initial pool of 600 articles. A coding framework based on WHO recommendations assessed adherence to criteria such as sensational language, explicit method details, and the inclusion of supportive resources. Two independent coders reviewed the reports to ensure objectivity and reliability. RESULTS The results show widespread non-compliance with WHO guidelines. Sensationalist language was tcommon in headlines, and 57.6% of the reports analyzed were murder-suicide cases. The method of suicide was mentioned in 87.3% of the reports, and all reports provided detailed information about the location. Personal information, such as names (67.6%) and ages (55.8%), was often given. Notably, only one report included information on how to get help, and none included expert opinions or references to scientific research DISCUSSION These findings underscore the urgent need for reform in Turkish media practices. Recommendations include integrating ethical reporting training into journalism curricula, adopting internal guidelines, and reinstating a national suicide hotline to support vulnerable populations and mitigate public health risks associated with sensational reporting.

Keywords

• media
• reporting
• suicide
• Türkiye
• WHO guideline

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