Media Toolkit
“The duty of the journalist is to provide a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues.” Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics
Journalists recognize the power of words and images used to define and characterize a subject. At least since the civil rights era, reporting practices have encouraged reporters and editors to avoid stereotypical language and ensure careful use of images when referring to ethnic and racial minorities and people with disabilities. Unfortunately, there are no widely used guidelines for journalists when reporting includes a person with mental illness.
The purpose of the Media Guide and corresponding website (www.mentalhealthreporting.org) is to provide a toolkit of information on ways to improve reporting on mental health issues for the following:
- News organizations
- Journalists.
- Journalism educators
- News story informants.
