Suicides in local newspapers?

Question

My stepdad wants to know why suicides are not printed in local newspapers. (duh) Yes, he believes they should be in them. My brother recently committed suicide and my stepdad evidently wanted to show all his friends...... and was shocked it wasn't in the paper. Can someone explain why for him?

Answer 1

Standard newspaper policy, in most cases.

The term suicide is avoided, to spare the family members.  I used to work for a small paper, part of job was entering obits. When shown as suicide, families are often contacted by thoughtless persons, when normally, they prefer to not discuss it, except in their own time and on their terms.  

Answer 2

I think it has more to do with the privacy, in most cases, of the deceased and the family.  When someone feels that low and cannot find help, they commit this sad act.  It's often very shaming to the family afterwards, and they of course do not want to dishonour their beloved's memory.  A lot of suicides led great lives, and they want that to be preserved.  And so it should.

It's not something to be 'exploited' in the news.  And we all know how they will do that, but thank goodness, not in this case.  And sadly, the #'s are too high.  They only report 'famous' people's suicides, which should be kept private and out of the public eye as well.

I agree with you.  And my own point of view on this.

God Bless the memory of your brother and your family:)

Answer 3

It is neccessary to report news.  Yes and a newspaper historically reported news.  Why would they avoid a devestating loss like a suicide?  

A suicide should be a prompting to all humans to search their souls and investigate the reasons so we can learn from this.  

I may have saved a mans life because after 2 suicides I decided that the next time I saw someone so sad I would at least ask why they appeared to be so sad.  Turned out the IRS had billed him $10,000 and he figured his life was over.  I think just saying this out loud to someone made him realize owing $10,000 to the IRS did not mean his life was over and the problem could be solved.  Later that year I saw him with his fiance at the company picnic.  He stopped by to say hi and introduce his fiance.     I will never know for sure nor will he or anyone else.  

News is news and a suicide is news.

I'm with your dad.