Date of Award

1-20-2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Specialization

Communication and Leadership

School or Department

School of Leadership Studies

First Advisor

Dr. John Caputo

Second Advisor

Dr. Andrew Ciafalo

Abstract

Efforts to lower the teenage suicide rate in America have been a complete failure. The purpose of this Project is to provide a production guide and literature review for use in the production of a short-film documentary that discusses the steadily increasing teen suicide rate in America. Using an historical research methodology, evidence indicates that the historical media practice of not reporting teen suicide may be detrimental to society’s teen suicide prevention efforts. Recent statistics from the CDC (2016) indicate a dramatic increase in teen suicides, some believe that this increase may be due to a corresponding increase in text messaging and social media use among that demographic. The historical lack of news media coverage providing positive support messaging should be considered a contributing factor to this increasing problem. The literature indicates that conflicting Guidelines for the Reporting of Suicide are currently in use in newsrooms across America, with some news media electing not to publish suicide news, while other news media elect to publish suicide reports. Bandura’s (1986) Social Cognitive Theory is cited to support the position that a positive approach by news media towards reporting suicide may directly influence future suicidal behavior.

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