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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Young deaths coverage questioned | Young deaths coverage questioned |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The way in which the apparent suicides of young people in Bridgend was covered by the media is to be debated later. | The way in which the apparent suicides of young people in Bridgend was covered by the media is to be debated later. |
| The Press Complaints Commission (PCC) called for the debate after complaints about the reporting of the deaths which occurred over the last 18 months. | The Press Complaints Commission (PCC) called for the debate after complaints about the reporting of the deaths which occurred over the last 18 months. |
| The watchdog, which polices newspapers and magazines, says it wants to address how the coverage developed. | The watchdog, which polices newspapers and magazines, says it wants to address how the coverage developed. |
| Chairman Sir Christopher Meyer said the PCC had had no official complaints, but some headlines were "extremely lurid". | |
| He said he wanted people to understand how the PCC monitors sensitive issues. | |
| "I know that the deaths of so many young people have had a profound effect on communities in and around Bridgend," said Sir Christopher. | "I know that the deaths of so many young people have had a profound effect on communities in and around Bridgend," said Sir Christopher. |
| "I very much hope that people will be encouraged to attend this event to share any concerns with us and also with the representatives from the media. | "I very much hope that people will be encouraged to attend this event to share any concerns with us and also with the representatives from the media. |
| "It is very important that people understand the role and remit of the code of practice, and know how the PCC is able to offer practical support to people affected by tragedies such as these." | "It is very important that people understand the role and remit of the code of practice, and know how the PCC is able to offer practical support to people affected by tragedies such as these." |
| He added that the PCC would then reflect on what it had heard and produce a report or some kind of guidance for the media on how suicides should be reported. | |
| Criticism | Criticism |
| Vincent and Sharon Pritchard, whose teenage son Nathaniel died in February, told a news conference in the days following his death that they believed media reports "glamorised" ways of taking one's life to young people. | Vincent and Sharon Pritchard, whose teenage son Nathaniel died in February, told a news conference in the days following his death that they believed media reports "glamorised" ways of taking one's life to young people. |
| However the PCC stressed that schools and other organisations in the affected area had been told of their rights regarding the press. | However the PCC stressed that schools and other organisations in the affected area had been told of their rights regarding the press. |
| Sir Christopher said: "Our code of practice is pretty strict and we need to hear from people as to whether they think our code of practice was breached. And if they weren't aware of it, one of my missions is to explain explicitly what we can do". | |
| He also stressed that the deaths were a matter of public interest and the press had a right to report on it. | |
| "But we say in our code that these issues have got to be reported sensitively and they must not be reported in too much detail otherwise we are likely to generate copycat suicides." | |
| Friday's meeting at Bridgend's recreation centre will have a panel of speakers, including the PCC's chairman and the Bridgend MP Madeleine Moon. | Friday's meeting at Bridgend's recreation centre will have a panel of speakers, including the PCC's chairman and the Bridgend MP Madeleine Moon. |
| In addition to the public question and answer debate, the event will include advice sessions where specific concerns can be raised privately. | In addition to the public question and answer debate, the event will include advice sessions where specific concerns can be raised privately. |
| "I'd like to thank the PCC for giving the people of Bridgend county borough the opportunity to voice their concerns regarding the press coverage of the recent tragedies," added Ms Moon. | "I'd like to thank the PCC for giving the people of Bridgend county borough the opportunity to voice their concerns regarding the press coverage of the recent tragedies," added Ms Moon. |
| "I hope that this meeting will help inform media reporting of this sensitive issue in future". | "I hope that this meeting will help inform media reporting of this sensitive issue in future". |
| The event takes place at the Dunraven Suite, Bridgend Recreation Centre, with an open informal surgery from 1430 BST and the public Q&A session at 1530 BST. | The event takes place at the Dunraven Suite, Bridgend Recreation Centre, with an open informal surgery from 1430 BST and the public Q&A session at 1530 BST. |