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This research explores the impact of media coverage on suicide reporting in New Zealand, investigating how news outlets portray stories related to mental illness and suicide. The study aims to analyze the nature, quality, and portrayal of suicide in various non-fiction media sources, including newspapers, radio, television, and online platforms. By examining the framing and factors that shape news selection and presentation, the research team seeks to understand the role of media in shaping public perceptions of mental health issues. The study employs both quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods to gain insights into the influence of media reporting on suicide and mental health awareness.
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Suicide and the Media: Pending New Zealand Research. Brian McKenna, Centre of Mental Health Research, University of Auckland
Media and mental illness • Coverdale, Nairn, & Classen (2002). • Nairn (1999). • Mental Health Commission (2000; 2005).
McKenna, Thom and Simpson (2007) • Media Coverage of Homicide Involving Mentally Disordered Offenders: A Matched Comparison Study • International Journal of Forensic Mental Health. Vol. 6(1), 57-63
The Myth • Deinstitutionalisation of the mentally ill has contributed to the increase of homicide.
Mentally abnormal perpetrators of homicide rate per 100,000 population by year
Role of the media in perpetuating the myth? • 10 cases of (NGRI) from 1996 to 2000. • Matched to 10 cases of convicted homicide.
NGRI prominence characteristics • On the front page • The lead article on any page, • Alarmist heading e.g “Scissor-death mother found to be insane” (NZ Herald, February 8, 2000).
Making public the private lives of mentally ill offenders • Social dysfunction. • Private psychiatric history made public
Conclusion • Certainly treated differently • Impact on the public psyche? • Etched in the public memory .
Ministry of Health (1998; 1999) • Preventing Suicide: Guidelines for the Media on the Reporting of Suicide
Tully, J. and Elsaka, N. (2004). • A study of the media response to Suicide and the Media: The reporting and portrayal of suicide in the media
Aims • To investigate the nature, reporting and portrayal of suicide in non-fiction media. • Replicates the Australia study and adds the internet. • Adapted to NZ (Maori or Pacific Island).
Design • Media items over 12 months • Using recognised search terms . • Source - media retrieval company. • Screening for appropriateness.
Extract identifying and descriptive information. • E.g. newspapers • Total number of articles • Newspaper type: e.g metropolitan, suburban or regional. • Month of publication. • Where placed. • Who wrote the article. • What was the content about. • Geographical reference. • Demographics of those involved • Suicide method
Quality ratings of 10% of randomly selected media items in each division • MOH guidelines • Coroner’s Act • Quality indicators - Australian study. • Binary determination .
In depth framing analysis. • Five case studies. • Qualitative research • Factors that shape news selection and presentation.
Data analysis • Quantitative analysis - SPSS. • Qualitative analysis - NVIVO.
Sample • 262 media types • Newspaper print media - 186 • Radio stations –18 stations: • Television - 9 free-to-air and paid networks. • Internet - 49 news sites
Research Team • Brian McKenna. • Tony O’Brien, Senior lecturer. • Katey Thom. Research Fellow. • Dr Raymond Nairn. • Gareth Edwards. • Ingrid Leary.
Expert Reference Group . • Dr Simon Hatcher. • Ata Suma. • Dr Terryann Clark.
Report • Next October.
First Month of Data Collection • Newspaper - 134 • Internet - 41 • Radio - 22 • Television - 7
Potential Framing Themes • Youth issues - “Net Safety” and Text bullying. • Murder suicide. • Determination at 3 months.