t the heart of ethical reporting on suicide is the principle of ensuring that no more harm is done. Media organisations are expected to avoid sensationalism, dramatic headlines and repeat-prominence of such stories, as these practices can increase the risk of imitation, particularly among vulnerable audiences. Journalists are advised not to disclose specific details about the method, location or images of a suicide, as this could encourage imitation.

International media ethics bodies and health experts consistently stress that careless reporting may cause harm; responsible coverage can contribute to awareness, compassion and prevention.

Studies have frequently found that news coverage often includes detailed information about methods and motives, with few instances of preventive context or help-seeking resources included. Media experts and public health advocates have called for newsroom policy changes to align reporting with international media guidelines, including those recommended by the World Health Organisation.

Publishing suicide notes, personal messages or private photographs is widely regarded as unethical and intrusive. Respect for the dignity and privacy of the deceased and grieving families is paramount. Reporters are always advised to avoid speculation about motives or simplistic explanations that reduce suicide to a single cause. Appropriate language is also critical. Phrases such as “committed suicide,” which carry criminal or moral connotations, are discouraged. Neutral phrasing like “died by suicide” or “death by suicide” is preferred. Reports should also focus on context and the complex interplay of factors involved, rather than assigning blame or dwelling on sensational details.

In Pakistan’s cultural and social environment—where suicide remains highly stigmatised and official data is limited—ethical media coverage has a crucial role in shaping public understanding and reducing harm.

Activist Ammar Ali Jan says that when it comes to suicide, “the media often focus on the sensational side of the news while structural causes of the event are ignored.” He says that long-term issues faced by university students that lead to suicides are almost never reported on. “A young person in Pakistan is deprived of a hopeful future. This is a major reason for suicide attempts in universities. However, news reports often ignore this aspect only to sensationalise a young death.”

In January 2026, a female university student in Lahore was hospitalised with serious injuries after an apparent suicide attempt at her campus. Police and university officials reported that no individual or institution had been blamed, and steps were being taken to improve campus safety.

Official data from Lahore for 2025 indicate that at least 116 suicide deaths were recorded in the city over the year. Experts cited economic stress, domestic disputes and limited access to mental health support as contributing pressures. These reports—while widely covered in local media—underscore the importance of avoiding graphic description, method disclosure or sensational framing in coverage.

The recent suicide-related incident at a university was covered by the mainstream media and on social media. Mainstream news outlets largely relied on official statements from the police, hospital authorities and university officials, reporting the case cautiously as a possible suicide attempt and emphasising that investigations were ongoing. Most avoided graphic details clearly stating that no final conclusions had been reached, and focused on issues such as student safety, institutional responses and the broader context of academic stress.

The coverage and discourse on social media were faster and emotionally charged. There were unverified claims, speculation about the causes and conflation with earlier incidents. Posts often included dramatic language, rumours and calls for accountability, reflecting public anxiety but also increasing the risk of misinformation and harm, amplifying confusion and distress.

Media commentators often point to how suicide is portrayed in television serials, where the portrayal is often a dramatic plot device. These works often depict suicide as a narrative device rather than treating it as a serious social and mental health issue. A systematic analysis by the East Asian Archives of Psychiatry of Urdu television dramas released between 2011 and 2022 found that suicidal behaviour appeared in many dramas—49 incidents across 40 shows—often linked to themes such as family conflict and failure in love. The analysis concluded that scenes involving suicidal behaviours “may negatively affect the general population, particularly adolescents.” It also recommended that television dramas provide “psychoeducational messages to promote help-seeking.”

In 2016, Pakistan’s electronic media regulator PEMRA issued a show-cause notice to a TV channel for broadcasting a suicide scene in a Ramazan programme, highlighting how such content is subject to oversight and controversy.

Responsible reporting on suicide requires balancing the public’s right to information with the potential impact on vulnerable individuals and the society at large. By adhering to ethical principles and promoting awareness and support, the media can inform without contributing to further tragedy.

The writer is a journalist based in Lahore.