摘要
Suicide has been largely investigated by many researchers in a variety of perspectives. The objective of this study is to identify the relationship between the rate of suicide in contemporary society and how it can be affected by the way of suicide reporting at the same time. Qualitative method is used to analysis the data capturing from observation, interviews and textual analysis. Special attention has been paid to the news reporting in the suicide in Sri Lankan newspapers. Sinhala medium newspapers： Lankadeepa, Diwaina, Lakbima, Silumina, Dinamina, Rivira, were used as the major sample of this study. Time period is located from January 2000 to January 2010. In conclusion, Suicide has been reporting in Sri Lanka as a heroic and sensational action for the target of maximum selling and the financial benefit of media institutions. Use of Language in suicide reporting and the placement of the story in the newspaper have been two major factors that cause to glamorize the incident. Suicide reporting is highly sensational and rhetorically made by the ownership of the media and non-ethical consideration of the journalism in Sri Lanka. Victims and vulnerable are encouraged to get in to suicide and they are generally encouraged to their action for faith. Suicide should be reported in the newspaper as a problem of mental health and attention should be drawn to well inform the public on the issue. Human incidents should not be reported in media for cheap commercial purposes that indirectly chance to gain much financial profit through the highest selling and expansion. This study suggest to take necessary action to immediately make a frame of ethics of media reporting that avoids such unethical reporting in the practice of suicide reporting in Sri Lanka.
