From the Editor: a better world…

Years ago, when I was a student, a classmate shared a report about how New Zealand could be seen to have a higher homicide rate per capita than the USA. In fact, it only seemed that way on the surface because the US has so many that journalists don’t cover them as often.

I’ve heard about (and witnessed) another type of ‘incident’ that often goes unreported because walls go up whenever the words ‘mental health issues’ are uttered.

Recently, I received an email from a concerned local about such an incident involving police (who he named), a young person (who he didn’t) and a prominent public place. However, I can’t say much more other than to explain why I can’t say much more.

Due to the Coroners Act, we can’t describe methods of self-harm, even though most would know the basics of what these involve.

We can’t state locations, even when incidents occur in public places, and we can’t (shouldn’t) use certain words until certain facts are officially confirmed.

Then again, we can (and should) add helpline numbers, but that makes the dots easy to connect.

Some journalists will publish and be damned if they believe such stories must be told. I’m not one of them, mostly because I get that the intention behind the rules (and laws) is to protect the vulnerable.

People are suffering, including emergency service workers. Also, a tough job for good souls, such as Mike King and John Kirwan, is made tougher whenever people can, logically, deny that these tragedies happen (somewhere or other) simply because they usually don’t make the papers.

The unthinkable is happening; it just seems as though it’s not because we don’t (can’t) cover it as comprehensively as we otherwise might.

I’m not suggesting that there is a perfect solution, other than simply ‘a better world,’ but what is published by experts (rather than journalists) is that the solutions we have aren’t working.

All I’m aiming for is that a few more people might understand why ‘the bloody media’ can’t say the unsayable. Enough said?

“How many times can a man turn his head and pretend that he just doesn’t see?”

A lot, Bob, it’s a lot.