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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.</p><p>The Government does
not review editorial content, as broadcast regulation is a matter for Ofcom. Ofcom
has the power to set rules in its Broadcasting Code for broadcasters to meet in order
to ensure UK audiences are adequately protected from harmful content. Ofcom’s Guidelines,
which advise broadcasters on meeting the rules, includes advice on providing specific
helplines where a programme has dealt with a particularly sensitive issue.</p><p>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, including
IPSO. IPSO’s Editors’ Code of Practice sets out the rules that newspapers and magazines
regulated by IPSO have agreed to follow, including on reporting suicide.</p><p>In
response to COVID-19, the Government announced £9.2 million of additional funding
to support mental health charities, including Samaritans and CALM. Samaritans published
updated media guidelines resources at the beginning of August and created a new online
hub of resources, covering additional topics to help journalists and programme makers
further understand the issues surrounding suicidal behaviour and offering practical
tips on covering these topics.</p><p> </p>
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