Until recently, newspapers were not allowed to report on suicide and I think the original rationale for that was well-intentioned: to stop sensationalist journalism on such a personal and tragic event. [The Daily Examiner,20 April 2012,p12]
A rather curious statement which history refutes.
Even a quick search of Trove and NSW State Library records will show that since at least the 19th Century through to this 21st Century Australian newspapers at national, state and local level (including The Daily Examiner) have been reporting on attempted suicide/suicides; naming names, ages, places of residence and often describing methods used.
In August 2011 the Press Council of Australia issued a specific standard of practice for suicide reporting, which did not lift any supposed universal media ban but sought to clarify best practice.
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