Insensitivity in coverage of suicide attempt

Members of the Team Against Bias were shocked at the unintended flippancy within Chelsea Lane’s Oct. 10 article, “Ride along shows daily life on the other side of the door.”

Within the article, which detailed what it’s like to ride with Public Safety officers, was a description of the officers responding to a call of an attempted suicide on campus.

Members of the media rarely report suicides or suicide attempts; it’s not in best practices for journalists. Lane’s description not only invades the privacy of that student it causes hurt to that student’s roommates and friends.

Grand Valley strives to provide a welcoming environment. Calling attention to a very private act through the student newspaper does nothing to work toward this goal.

Team Against Bias

GVSU student organization