I WRITE to reiterate the point made by Christopher Bagley (South China Morning Post, January 7) that, ''prominent reporting of suicide in the media has a measurable impact in increasing the suicide rate amongst vulnerable groups''.
Ample research has shown that children and adolescents following exposure to media stories about suicide, whether real or fictional, would be more likely to imitate the suicidal behaviour.
To counter this phenomenon, reporters and editors have to be educated about the dangers of sensational journalism and romanicised coverage.
To curtail the ''imitation effect'', the Hongkong media must exercise necessary precautions as regards suicide.
Reporters and other personnel in the mass media, must bear in mind the following dos and don'ts to avoid encouraging ''copycat'' suicides: Avoid detailed depictions of methods of suicide, which may give young people ideas.
Avoid using simplistic, over-generalisations, such as ''academic pressure'', and ''family problems''.