Why did Jacintha Saldhana commit suicide?

| | imported blog post Saturday December 08, 2012 22:44 by Greener Bristol

Nurse Jacintha Saldanha, 46, wife and mother of two, died, apparently from suicide, after taking a hoax call from an Australian radio station. The media are in full cry after the radio jocks, but should they be looking closer to home to find the immediate cause of the tragic suicide?

Here is the Daily Mail coverage after the hoax call and before Jacintha's tragic death: How could they fall for this hoax? Hospital gives Kate's private details to Aussie DJ. Radio duo: 'We thought they'd hang up after hearing our terrible accents'

Put yourself, if you will, in the rancid trousers of a tabloid news editor as soon as the story of the prank call breaks. There are 2 women in the UK who have first hand knowledge: Jacintha, and the ward nurse who spoke to the jocks. What would you tell your reporters to do? Speak to the nurses.

It is probable that Jacintha's phone was red hot with press questions. There would be press and paps staking out her living quarters.

Correct me if you know better. I don't know. I have no information. But this is how the press works. It is a reasonable hypothesis that Jacintha was chased by tabloid reporters. And we know, post Leveson, that tabloid reporters have the ethical architecture of a non-neutered feral tomcat on drugs.

It is hugely stressful to be hunted by the press pack, especially if you are not familiar with their ways.

We need to know who contacted Jacintha, for which news paper, and what kind of approach was taken.

The other nurse involved will have some information. The hospital authorities may also know about media activity on their premises.

Problem is, this is one story in which the newspapers will not take an interest.