I am appalled that Greg Barns did not do a bit of research first before he put his foot in his mouth by implying that that there is no causal link between the media and suicide. His claim that ‘research” on this link is “problematic and ambiguous” is just plain wrong.

Every civilized country in the world has some sort guideline for media reportage of suicide because the causal link is well known and appreciated. And it has been for a long time. By analysing suicide rates in relation to the deaths or suicides of much loved, famous people. A connection has definitely been established that people will end their lives in response to the loss of the role model heroes that they admire. In addition, a link has been established between the proportion of publicity given to the celebrity’s death and the proportion of people who commit suicide in response.

That causal link was first observed in Germany in 1774, when Goethe published a notorious book “The Sufferings of Young Werter.” In this book, the hero, Werter, was inconsolable about the loss of his loved one when she was obliged to marry another man. The Hero then gets a gun and puts a bullet through his head.

The book was a sensation throughout Europe and it even started a fashion trend among young educated men who adopted “Werter dress”. (Blue frock coat, leather waistcoat and breeches.) What happened next, was that a wave of Leibestod, or “love suicide”, swept Europe. Copies of Goethe's book were often found with the victims and the copycat suicide syndrome is still called the “Werter Effect” by psychologists and psychiatrists today. European governments moved quickly to ban the book before they ran out of educated young people altogether.

And that, Mr Barns, is why there is such “squeamishness” about this subject today.

It took me a long time to actually read this, as I wasn't sure whether I wanted a laugh or cry when reading anything that Greg pens.

I would say Greg, that the vast majority of people are not as bereft of intellect as you, so they understand the difference. Still you and piers A, certainly show us what we don't want in our thinking. Keep taking those pills, we can sure see what they are doing for you.

Greg,

It's done for the same reason that newspapers report in words that XX people died in Iraq last night but the TV doesn't usually show the pictures: because they're brutal, disturbing, and unnecessary. Ditto the beheading videos that emerged from Iraq - they were shown up to the point of incision. Get a hold of one and watch it if you really want the gory details - they're not hard to find on the web.

I have every sympathy for distress at the lack of discussion of suicide - especially 'assisted suicide' - but there's a good reason for this "double standard" and railing against it will get the cause nowhere.

With respect to the research linking suicide to its reporting, Greg Barns says "let’s leave that to one side."

Let's not.

Is this it? The article should be sub-titled "Greg Barnes shoots a feather with a very long bow".

Three cheers to the ABC for broadcasting anything at all on this subject.