Suicide by self-immolation in Bangladeshi and Indian news reports: Associated factors and the quality of reporting

Assessment of the quality of news reporting of suicide by self-immolation would help to prevent the harmful effects of media on suicidal behavior in the community. However, no previous attempt was identified in Bangladesh and India. We aimed to assess the depiction of suicide by self-immolation in newspapers in Bangladesh and India. We collected data from all news articles published in English, Hindi, or any other local language that document incidents of suicide by self-immolation, provided they were published on or before November 11, 2025. We assessed the quality of reporting by comparing it with the World Health Organization guidelines. The analysis included 83 news reports published between January 2013 and November 2025. Females comprised the major victims, and kerosene or petrol were the materials. Protest against perceived injustices, marital discord, domestic disputes, and relationship conflicts were the major factors for the attempt. Sensationalism appears to be common, with many reports including graphic and vivid descriptions of the incident. There is a stark absence of preventive measures in the reporting; almost no articles provide contact information for helplines or resources for individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts. Suicide by self-immolation gets media attention in Bangladesh and India, where the quality of reporting is poor when compared to the reporting guidelines. • Self-immolation receives media attention in Bangladesh and India, with reports covering cases even outside their geographical boundaries. • The quality of reporting falls short of the reporting guidelines, with sensationalization of the event, graphic and vivid descriptions of the incident, and an absence of preventive measures in the reports. • Preventive measures targeting reporting quality are warranted to reduce the impact on the community population.