Rwanda Media Commission (RMC), the media self-regulatory body, has urged journalists and the public to be careful and thoughtful when reporting about suicide. This follows a series of suicide cases in the country, which triggered public reaction on different media platforms. RMC has also deemed some media reports on suicide cases unprofessional. According to the press release, RMC said it saddened by how suicide related stories are being reported these days, declaring that they are aware that suicide can result in terrible effects to the family of the victim as well as the general public. “It is a journalist’s responsibility to avoid bruising the family of a suicide victim. That goes with being careful while reporting about it and showing the pictures or identification of the victim. The journalist should ask themselves if the news they are to report is going to benefit society,” reads part of the press release. RMC informed that it’s good if people are helped to understand the symptoms that can lead a person to suicide and how they can deal with the situation as well as who they can approach for help in order to prevent themselves from taking their lives. “When suicide-related stories are well reported, the public is helped to know how they can fight suicidal thoughts and improve their knowledge on how they can prevent those thoughts,” the release continued. RMC said that revealing the identity of someone who committed suicide in whatever way is unprofessional. “We request Rwandans not to share pictures or videos of a suicide victim. A good way to go is to call Rwanda National Police on toll-free, 112 or to write to them on their social media platforms to provide that information,” the release reads.
