Onoja IB, Ojih SEU, Onoja PO, Onoja NM, Bebenimibo P, Akor SE. Nigerian newspapers coverage of suicide: Assessment of adherence to WHO suicide reporting guidelines.
Indian J Psychiatry 2023;
65:579-585. [PMID:
37397849 PMCID:
PMC10309254 DOI:
10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_537_22]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Context
Despite an increase in research evidence on media compliance with suicide reporting guidelines globally, evidence from Nigeria seems to be relatively limited.
Aim
This study assessed the prevalence of World Health Organization (WHO) helpful/harmful suicide reporting cues in suicide stories reported by Nigerian newspapers in 2021.
Setting and Design
The setting is the entire Nigeria and the design is descriptive.
Method
Quantitative content analysis method was adopted and 205 online suicide-related stories from news portals of 10 purposefully selected newspapers were analyzed. The newspapers selected were among the top 20 in Nigeria and had higher circulation/coverage and considerable online presence. Evaluation framework was designed following moderated WHO guidelines.
Statistical Analysis Used
Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were used for the analysis.
Results
The study suggested high prevalence of harmful reporting and near absence of helpful suicide reporting cues among Nigerian newspapers. Majority of the stories, 95.6% mentioned suicide in the headline; 79.5% provided details on the suicide methods employed; 66.3% offered mono-causal explanation to suicide; and 59% featured images of suicide victims and/or suicide-related graphics. Helpful reporting cues were almost nonexistence as only less than 4% of the stories traced warning signs, reported mental health experts/professionals' opinions, featured research findings/population level statistics, and provided details on the identity/contact of suicide prevention programs/support services.
Conclusion
Prevalence of harmful suicide-reporting practice among Nigerian Newspaper presented a gloomy future for suicide prevention in the country. There be training and motivation programs for health/crime reporters/editors on responsive media coverage of suicide following (a domesticated) WHO guidelines.
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