2015-09-22  Memo to media: stop propagating suicide

Earlier this month the Social Welfare Department's chief clinical psychologist raised concern about copycat acts after recent cases of suspected suicide. In his radio interview, there was no mention of media coverage of suicide. Yet research shows that suicides increase immediately after a suicide story has been published in the media.

How many more tragedies will it take for HK's toothless Press Council to insist on guidelines like these:

1. Don't locate suicide reports on front pages or radio/TV headlines.

2. Avoid using the word "suicide" in headlines.

3. Avoid using photographs/videos with suicide reports.

4. Refrain from describing the method of suicide.