When everything is a trigger

RJ Mitte, the actor famous for portraying Walter White's son on the television series Breaking Bad, passed away by suicide. News outlets largely omitted details regarding the circumstances surrounding his death in their coverage. According to the World Health Organization's current media guidelines, discussions on methods, locations, or note contents related to suicides are deemed irresponsible and should not be included in news articles.

Smoking in films is portrayed with the warning "smoking kills," while alcohol advertisements are restricted in India to prevent impressionable youth from developing unhealthy drinking habits. Fortunately, the violence depicted in popular TV shows has not yet been classified as a public health concern, despite the prevalence of content warnings.

The portrayal of Walter White's character descending into criminal activities on Breaking Bad remains more unsettling than a straightforward account detailing a person's distress leading to suicide. Fans of the show recall White's evolution from a timid chemistry teacher to the formidable "Heisenberg," a moniker reminiscent of the physicist whose uncertainty principle asserts that observing an event alters its outcome.

This concept has permeated every aspect of our lives. We are currently navigating a society marked by heightened sensitivity, with stringent protocols governing the information we are permitted to inquire about or comprehend regarding individuals' motives for committing suicide. The primary responsibility of a journalist is to present accurate information.

However, in my view, even if the subject matter is gruesome or distressing, it is our duty to report the facts. As the saying goes, it is preferable to be confronted with the truth rather than being deceived by a falsehood. Nevertheless, the prevailing sentiment in journalism today is driven by hypersensitivity, arguing that protecting people's mental well-being is more crucial than confronting reality (apparently, merely reading about a gunshot wound can be re-traumatizing for someone with a history of abuse).

It goes without saying that no one is proposing that news stories should incite copycat suicides. However, the responsibility of journalists is to ensure that their content does not cause harm. It is important to acknowledge that terrible events occur regularly, and life must continue for the rest of us. While it may be argued that shielding ourselves from the tragedies affecting others is cowardly and selfish, the implication is that it is acceptable to engage with positive news while avoiding anything negative.

In truth, those who strive for a clear understanding of the world find themselves facing an even greater burden, as awareness can be a far more challenging task than succumbing to illusions, which create an illusory sense of security. It is worth noting the significant shift towards political correctness since 1983, when a copyeditor at the New York Post coined the iconic headline "Headless Body in Topless Bar."

Although considered one of the greatest lines of all time for its clarity and humorous undertone, attempting such vivid prose today could result in severe consequences, including a firing. We are currently witnessing a transformation where even a story like Romeo and Juliet is presented with trigger warnings for revenge. This development represents a worrying trend, no pun intended.

In Japan, teaching children about hell or employing fear-based religious teachings to make a point is deemed psychological abuse. We, as victims of our own self-centered narratives, must rise above this. As the writer of Hutkay Films, I urge everyone to embrace the truth, even if it is macabre or unsettling.