Celebrity Suicide: One of the Most Difficult Things to Report On
Irresponsible presentations of suicide in news and information can influence copycat acts. According to a critical review called Suicide and the news and information media, conducted by Mindframe-Everymind of the Australian Department of Health in 2019, media coverage of suicide should be done responsibly and balanced against the public’s right to know. The review covered celebrity and non-celebrity suicides from countries around the world, including Germany, UK, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the US.
The study’s findings highlight the immense challenges faced by journalists and news organizations when it comes to reporting on celebrity suicides. Waiting for confirmation from family members or associates is the usual protocol. However, in the case of actor Ronaldo Valdez, tensions arose inside the newsroom when the sudden death was handled and released by the police (QCPD), and the principle of respect for privacy was disregarded. Meanwhile, the grieving family remained unavailable to confirm or deny the event.
A circulating text message, reportedly from QCPD, declared the victim dead in St. Luke’s Hospital around 4:16 pm, stating Alleged Suicide by shooting. This led to various tweets and reports from local media. Only yesterday morning did Janno Gibbs, Valdez’s son, issue an official statement regarding his father’s passing. The following morning, only a few newspapers mentioned the suicide angle.
However, the implications of such incidents go far beyond the immediate aftermath. The fear of potential copycat cases, as suggested in the Australian study, looms large. It is safe to assume that this incident will remain a topic of discussion for years to come. What were the reasons behind it? What led to his passing? What about other family matters?
It is crucial for both the media and the police to respect the privacy of the affected family. The Gibbs family was understandably shocked, and the commotion around the inadvertent release of the police report and its preliminary conclusion exacerbated the situation. This should serve as a lesson for both the media and the police moving forward. As journalists, we must seek meaningful information that fulfills the legitimate public need to know while preserving the dignity and privacy of those affected.
In today’s world of advanced technology, with deep fakes and other AI-related tools, fake news advertisements promoting illegal scams have become increasingly pervasive. These scams cover a range of activities, from fake giveaways and romance scams to identity theft schemes and fake profiles. Unfortunately, the Philippines has seen a surge in shopping scams, with Facebook being the most common platform where Filipinos face scam risks.
Scam Watch Pilipinas, an advocacy movement, reports that 72.3 percent of respondents have received scam messages or calls on Facebook. Disturbingly, Filipino online victims often do not file complaints, unlike in other countries. Australia, for instance, saw a fake investment scam using a video of TV anchorman Allison Langdon. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) investigated this scam through Scamwatch.
To assist online victims in filing complaints, Scamwatch established Hotline 1326, in collaboration with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), the DICT, NTC, and the National Press Club. Nevertheless, little action has been taken by the government. During a recent cybersecurity summit, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed to file a protest against social media companies over scams and illegal activities on their platforms.
Alexander Ramos, the executive director of CICC, expressed his frustration with social media platforms for neglecting smaller countries like ASEAN. He emphasized the CICC’s intention to take legal action against these platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X, due to the proliferation of online scams. He believes these platforms are not cooperating with the implementation of local e-commerce laws, and an official complaint is imminent. Currently, all online complaints against scammers on these platforms are considered internal business matters, leaving victims unable to pursue criminal or civil complaints.
If the CICC follows through on its promise to sue these social media giants, it could be a significant step towards protecting online Filipinos. Swift court action on scam cases involving these platforms would hold them accountable for their disregard of the nation’s laws. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and the DICT could then suspend or even shut down their multi-billion-peso businesses in the Philippines if found guilty by the local courts.
In conclusion, reporting on celebrity suicides presents numerous challenges, especially regarding responsible media coverage and maintaining privacy. The case of Ronaldo Valdez’s death highlights the need for respectful reporting, considering the impact on individuals and the potential for copycat acts. Meanwhile, the growing prevalence of online scams on social media platforms calls for stronger measures from both the government and the platforms themselves. By taking legal action and enforcing online laws, the rights and safety of online Filipinos can be better protected.
Sources:
– Suicide and the news and information media – a critical review by Jane Pirkis et al commissioned by Mindframe-Everymind of the Australian Department of Health in 2019.
– Scam Watch Pilipinas
– Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Scamwatch
– Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
– Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC)
– Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)
– National Press Club.
