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<p>Every suicide is a tragedy which has a devastating and enduring impact on families
and communities. The Government is taking action in this area, including launching
the first Cross-Government Suicide Prevention Strategy, which sets out an ambitious
programme across national and local government and the NHS. In response to COVID-19,
the Government announced £9.2million of additional funding to support mental health
charities, including Samaritans and CALM</p><p>The editorial and operational decisions
of broadcasters are independent from the Government. Ofcom, the UK’s independent broadcast
regulator, sets rules in its Broadcasting Code for licensed broadcasters to meet to
ensure UK audiences are adequately protected from harmful content. Ofcom advises in
its Guidelines that where a programme has dealt with a particularly sensitive issue,
broadcasters may wish to provide a helpline specific to that issue.</p><p>The Cross-Government
Suicide Prevention Strategy sets out the importance of responsible media reporting
of suicide. The Government is committed to a free and independent press, and does
not, therefore, seek to intervene in the decisions or activities of newspapers or
regulators. Newspapers either self-regulate or are regulated by independent regulators;
which include IPSO and IMPRESS. These regulators issue codes of conduct which set
out the rules that newspapers and magazines have agreed to follow, including on reporting
suicide.</p><p>IPSO has also produced guidance for journalists on reporting suicide,
including signposting to sources of support by providing the contact details for The
Samaritans, PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide, or other relevant organisations,
in any articles reporting on a suicide.</p><p> </p>
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