Link to following story: Woman Stuck at Eagle Junction Train Station, Brisbane
1. Inquiry
a. What are the problems with the article?
The heading of the story is too long and not to the point. I feel that some of the information particularly the location in the heading would be best used in the actual story itself.
The second paragraph the journalist writes that the emergency services are working to free a woman from under a train on Brisbane’s north side. This gives the impression to the reader when read that the woman is still trapped, yet further in the story the journalist reports that the woman was freed at 12.55pm.
The journalist should have been more sensitive in reporting the incident as one of Self-harm and omitted this information or reported that the woman was believed to be suffering mental heath issues at the time.
The news story is poorly written and appears it was rushed and one would think that the chief editor had not proof read the story at the time of print.
No doubt the story was rushed and appears to be more of a first draft and in my opinion not a good read and very unprofessional.
b. Does it meet the guidelines for reporting self-harm?
I don’t believe that the journalist has met the guidelines for reporting self-harm. While the journalist has included contacts in the story for Lifeline and SANE to the readers, I do not believe that it is in the best interest of the women who became trapped or for the readers of the story to know what the women did.
The police are not clinically trained to assess a mentally unwell person, therefore the story would be best written to say that the women was believed to have been experiencing mental heath issues at the time of the incident.
The information regarding self-harm is not considered relevant to the story as it does not change the fact that a women was stuck under a train, commuters were delayed and people witnessed the incident.
c. Post your reflections.
The journalist should have been more sensitive in reporting the incident as one of Self-harm.
Although the information given that self-harm was a possible cause to how the women may have become stuck under a train, from information relayed from the police. The journalist should have reported to the readers that the woman may have been suffering from mental health issues at the time and not self-harm.
The passengers and any other witnesses who may have been at the train station at the time of the incident may read or search for the story so this is where it would be important to add contact numbers for anyone who may need support who had witnessed the incident.
2. Practical: Rewrite of the story to make more sense
Woman trapped under a train in a serious condition
A 30 year-old woman became trapped under a train 12pm Wednesday at Eagle Junction train station, Brisbane.
Four fire crews and emergency services reportedly freed the woman at 12:55pm.
A spokeswoman for Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) said the woman suffered lower leg injuries and remained conscious at the time and the woman had been transferred to the Royal Brisbane Hospital in a serious condition.
Many commuters traveling in the area at the time experienced delays of up to 40 minutes.
A witness reported that a train was full of passengers at the time the incident had unfolded.
Police said that woman is suspected to have been suffering from mental heath issues at the time.
If anyone is suffering with any emotional difficulties having witnessed the incident they should contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
For help with depression, contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 or SANE Helpline is 1800 18 SANE (7263).
References:
http://www.mindframe-media.info/for-media/reporting-mental-illness
Kim Vuga 