To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter in regards to recent stories at The Cincinnati Enquirer which seem to violate commonly accepted standards of media reporting.  As outlined by respected organizations like the World Health Organization, media outlets should be careful when handling suicide.  Specifically, front page headlines and details about specific methods used should be avoided.  The Enquirer has violated both of those commonly accepted codes.

On Sunday, June 24, 2007, The Enquirer ran a front page, above-the-fold piece called “Deadly Temptations.” It outlined the stories of several regular people who had committed suicide, even giving some details about how they did it.

And now this morning, August 17, 2007, they have a story entitled “Pulled-over driver takes poison, dies,” which even explains how the victim, who worked at an animal shelter, obtained sodium phentobarbital, which he drank after being pulled over by police.

According to the Gannett Code of Conduct, newsrooms are supposed to act with integrity.  Here is an excerpt from the code:

Given the widely understood practice of not reporting on suicide stories in particular manners, it appears that The Enquirer has not acted with “integrity.” But more significantly, their new affinity for writing about suicide may actually be putting people at risk.

(Today’s web version does not even include any contact information about what to do if someone you love is a suicide risk.)

Please let me know what you intend to do to remedy this situation.

Respectfully,

The Dean of Cincinnati

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