Vol. 7, Issue 3 (2019)
Farmers’ suicide in Punjab: Analysis of reporting in print media
Author(s): Manjot Kaur, Ravijot Kaur and Sarabjeet Singh
Abstract: An immense number of farmers’ suicide, highlighted by the media in Punjab, is certainly a disturbing phenomenon. Therefore, this exercise was done to analyse the media reportage on farmer suicides in Punjab. Five widely distributed vernacular local dailies of Punjab namely Ajit, Jag Bani, Punjabi Tribune, Rozana Spokesman and Punjabi Jagran were selected for the present research work. News clippings on farmer’s suicide, published by selected newspapers were collected from Jan 2017 to Dec 2018. It was found that during the two years period i.e. for 1st January 2017 to December 31, 2018, a total of 709 farmers’ committed suicide. The number of farmers who committed suicide were more in 2017 (387) then in 2018 (322). During the second quadrimester of two years i.e. May to August, maximum number of farmers committed suicides (327). Highest percentage (29%) of news on farmers’ suicide was published by Ajit newspaper. Highest percentage (39% in 2017 & 28% in 2018) of farmers who committed suicide belonged to the age group of 31-45 years. Highest percentage of farmers (44.57 %) ends life due to depression + debt. A new trend of killing family members, relatives, friends etc. before committing suicide was also observed and it is increasing rapidly. As per the data reported by the various newspapers during the year 2017, 15 persons killed 27 people before committing suicide during May to August. This number almost doubled in 2018 as 18 people killed 45 people before committing suicide during the same period. Therefore medical and mental health services along with financial help should be provided to the farmers under debt to completely end up culture of farmer suicides in Punjab. It can also be suggested that media personnel must follow WHO guidelines while reporting suicide and preventive measures should be included in the side bar of the news by every newspaper.
Pages: 3320-3323 | 671 Views 100 Downloads
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How to cite this article:
Manjot Kaur, Ravijot Kaur, Sarabjeet Singh. Farmers’ suicide in Punjab: Analysis of reporting in print media. Int J Chem Stud 2019;7(3):3320-3323.
