PressWise recommends that participants receive these introductory notes and the outline programme in ADVANCE of the course. The full course programme should be made available at the start of the training day

1. The aim of the module
This training module has been designed by working journalists to increase awareness among colleagues (mid-career, student journalists and other media professionals) about suicide-related issues. The aim is to encourage responsible approaches to print, broadcast and on-line coverage of suicide.

2. The primary purpose
The intention of the module is to encourage all media professionals to challenge assumptions and debate key ethical questions involved in media portrayal of suicidal behaviour.

3. Learning and training methods
The complete module is designed for delivery at a one-day workshop attended by a maximum of 15 participants, led by media professionals with training experience.

Participants are encouraged to play an active part in the workshop, undertaking practical exercises, debating the issues raised and forming their own conclusions.

The practical exercises include awareness-raising, group discussion, exchange of first-hand experience, skill sharing, mutual support, collective problem-solving, case studies, editorial role-play, strategy-building and evaluation.

If only a half-day or an evening workshop is planned, it should start with the Session 1 and end with Sessions 5 & 6, together with Session 2 or 3 or 4. All HANDOUTS should be distributed. Some of the EXERCISES could be set as written assignments at the end. However arrangement should be made for feedback and opportunities for participants to discuss the issues later.

4. Ethical issues likely to be raised
Privacy, public interest, intrusion, identification, anonymity, confidentiality, permission, representation, stereotyping, language, sensationalism, use of official and non-official sources, use of images, use of statistics, media myths, 'copycat' effect, ethical guidelines, codes of conduct.

5. What can participants expect to gain from the module?
They should become more familiar with the facts, figures and issues associated with suicidal behaviour. They will appreciate how sensitive coverage can be of positive benefit to people at suicide risk, as well as their families and friends.

They should develop a deeper understanding of the delicate balance required between journalists' professional and creative obligations, and of the need for more responsible approaches to the coverage of suicidal behaviour.

They will have considered practical ways of balancing these issues, participated in problem solving, shared personal experiences and evaluated the results. They will have had an opportunity to draft practical strategies for improving coverage of suicide and compiled their own guidelines for dissemination in the workplace.

6. Outline agenda for a full-day workshop
Morning
Session 1 - Introduction: Private matter or public concern? (30 minutes)

Session 2 - Suicidal behaviour (60 minutes)
True or false - challenging the myths. Raising awareness of suicide issues. The "death knock" - dealing with distressing assignments. Turning the tables - dealing with death on your own doorstep

Break 

Session 3 - Sensitivity v. sensationalism (90 minutes)
Media portrayal of suicide - what is good or bad practice? Are there any rights or wrongs? Legal and ethical codes and guidelines affecting suicide coverage. What kind of media regulation works best?

Lunch break

Afternoon
Session 4 - Responsible reporting (90 minutes)
How can we cover suicide issues responsibly? Editorial role-play exercise involving practical case studies that reflect real-life professional scenarios.

Break

Session 5 - Conclusions & recommendations (60 minutes)
How do we maintain a responsible and sensitive approach to suicide coverage?  How can we encourage a similar practice among colleagues?  Participants contribute ideas for their own guidelines or codes of conduct on suicide reporting.

Session 6 - Evaluation (15 minutes)