"I saw the news on the portals and I couldn't believe it," Alaudin Haradin told Radio Free Europe (RFE/RL) on March 25, a day after his mother was killed in the village of Stanoc, Vushtrri.
This is because, shortly after the murder, various media outlets had published the identity of the murdered 42-year-old.
Even the brother of Liridona Ademaj - the woman who was killed in November 2023 on a street in the village of Bërnicë, Pristina - says that there have been cases when family members have been concerned due to reports from some media outlets.
"There have been several investigative leads raised by the media that may have raised some expectations or even momentary concern," Leonard Ademaj tells REL, but emphasizes that, in general, he is satisfied with the reporting done on the case of his sister's murder.
But this month, after a case was reported in the media as a stabbing and suicide, the Kosovo Press Council (KPC) called on the media to exercise “care, sensitivity and professionalism” when reporting on tragic cases.
The Association of Kosovo Journalists (AGK) also joined the call, demanding that the identity and privacy of those involved in the case be preserved.
But, in addition to the violation of privacy, Bind Skeja, executive director of the Center for Information and Social Improvement, is also concerned by the general content of textbooks about tragic cases, such as murders and suicides.
"Four or five news items are published with little information about the case, [with headlines like] 'here's an article he left...', 'here's what the family members are saying'. I've seen that the media have even gone to their funeral. It doesn't take much brainpower to know that this is wrong," Skeja tells REL.
What effect does this news have?
Such news only has a negative effect, according to Skeja, who runs the volunteer telephone center, Lifeline, offering help to people who have suicidal thoughts, or who suffer from depression or anxiety.
He says the invasion of privacy inadvertently makes survivors and their relatives familiar faces to the public.
"If I go to an employer tomorrow, the employer will search for my name on Google, and the news comes up 'This is XY's mother who committed suicide', and [the employer] creates perceptions that may be untrue, but that have a direct impact on the lives of these people," says Skeja.
He believes that the situation in Kosovo is made even more problematic by the way in which "the topic of suicide is still quite stigmatized."
According to Skeja, an even more problematic effect is "what this news does to people who have suicidal thoughts."
"Sensationalizing cases and publishing excessive and unnecessary details can give people who are already having suicidal thoughts the impression that there is no escape," he says.
"Because they constantly see people in the news who end up committing suicide, and this can push those who have already thought about committing suicide to accelerate their plan or create new ideas on how to do it," adds Skeja.
A study published in 2020 by international researchers from various universities and health institutions found that the risk of suicide increased by 13 percent during periods when the media reported on the deaths of celebrities by suicide.
That study also found that in cases where the method of suicide was also published, there was a 30 percent increase in deaths from that same method.
A similar effect has been observed in Kosovo.
"When these topics are discussed more in public, there are more calls towards the Lifeline," says Skeja.
But he would like more calls, as that is the only way to “balance the damage done by the reporting.” The problem, he says, is that the media usually does not guide readers on where to seek help.
"The media talks about suicide, but they don't tell people where to seek help. People read this news and don't know that Lifeline exists," says Skeja.
Who provides assistance in Kosovo?
Lifeline is a telephone helpline in Kosovo that provides help for people who are having suicidal thoughts, or who are suffering from depression or anxiety. The telephone line 0800 12345 operates from 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM, every day.
Cases of domestic violence can be reported to 0800 19 999. The Victim Advocate hotline is 0800 11 112.
Safe houses exist in all regions and are open to all ethnic communities living in Kosovo. The contact lines for safe houses are: 0800 800 01 and 0800 21 000.
The Kosovo Police number is 192.
What should not be reported?
Fernanda Camarena, a lecturer in ethics at the Poynter Media Institute, based in Florida, United States, says that a key principle for journalists and editors should be "harm minimization."
"As journalists, we must remember that our priority is our audience and fulfilling our journalistic mission," she tells Radio Free Europe.
In order not to deepen trauma, prejudice and encourage other similar cases, Camarena recalls the principles of large media organizations, such as the Associated Press agency, not to report on suicides, except when "it concerns a public figure, interferes with public life or represents a major public interest."
"And, when such news needs to be reported, they have guidelines that they have to follow," says Camarena, who previously served as a manager on NBC News' Standards and Practices team in the US.
So, what instructions are we talking about?
Camarena emphasizes several key points, such as: not giving them mainstream media space, avoiding glorifying or romanticizing suicide, not describing attempts as "failed" or "unsuccessful", and under no circumstances publishing photographs or videos from the scene of the incident, such as images of the deceased, notes left behind, or the exact location.
She also suggests that, when possible, include stories of people who have gone on to live happily after suicide attempts.
“Writing articles about treatment and recovery shows the audience that help is available,” says Camarena.
Camarena describes reporting on such tragic cases - namely murders and suicides - as "a test of the core values of a media organization."
“Statistics should not dictate editorial judgment, and newsrooms should define success as more than just the number of clicks. Did we serve our audience and its needs? Did we serve the public good?” she concludes.
And, Skeja estimates that many media outlets in Kosovo are failing precisely at this point.
"The only reason this [unethical reporting] happens is purely capitalist. This news generates clicks because people have a morbid curiosity to know what is happening," says Skeja.
Kosovo Police daily reports are often sources of news about cases of violence.
According to police data, six murder cases occurred from January to April of this year.
There is no data on the number of suicides, while 890 cases of domestic violence have been reported./REL (A2 Televizion)
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