A blanket ban on talking about suicide deaths in the New Zealand media could be lifted.
Until now, media organisations have avoided reporting suicides because of concerns publicity could result in copycat deaths.
But last month Chief Coroner Judge Neil MacLean said there needed to be greater openness around the reporting and discussion of suicide.
The number of New Zealanders taking their own lives was about 540 a year, 50 percent higher than the road toll, but it received little attention, he said.
Now Prime Minister John Key is supporting the chief coroner's call, telling the New Zealand Herald that current legislation is not working.
He believes the rules on suicide reporting are "somewhat defunct these days" with the popularity of social networking sites.
"The reality is that, particularly with youth suicide, very quickly social networking sites like Facebook and blog sites report that. There's huge engagement with young people around that information and so I don't think blocking the media from reporting is achieving an awful lot," he told media.
Since the issue was raised, relatives of several Kiwi suicide victims have come forward to support the coroner’s call.
Among them is actor and founder of the Auckland Theatre Company, Simon Prast, whose uncle died earlier this month.
"I think there must be an honest discussion as soon as possible. It's a conspiracy of silence otherwise," he told the NZ Herald.
The founding chairman of the Youth Suicide Awareness Trust, Gregory Fortuin, has also said that the current rules surrounding the media's reporting of suicides do not work.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on (09) 5222 999 within Auckland or 0800 543 354 outside Auckland.
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