EMERITUS PROFESSOR TUVIAH ZABOW – 28 March 2017
"Ethical and Legal Issues of Psychiatry and the Media"?
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders, their treatments and those who provide them are often subject to overwhelmingly negative portrayals and often ridicule in the media. Dehumanisation, inaccuracy and sensationalism seem to be the media's stock-in-trade. They reject the notion that they are responsible for the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes, claiming instead that they merely mirror the values and beliefs of society. It is probably no exaggeration to state that the celebrated South African and international cases the past 5 decades from Tsafendas to Pistorius to Devani are illustrative. It is clear that mental illness will generate news material indefinitely in tabloid newspapers others and even to televised court room proceedings.
Psychiatrists who, unlike their media colleagues, try to abide by the principles of confidentiality, accuracy and honesty, often misunderstand the media process. This results in poor interactions. Stories are thus repackaged into forms already familiar to the target audience. Journalists may actively rearrange words, quotes, facts or even the chronological sequence of events, in order to create a meaning that was absent from the original event to create a level of sensationalism. Discussion will include clinical, legal and ethical issues and the need for constructive interaction with journalists.
EMERITUS PROFESSOR TUVIAH ZABOW
Professor Tuviah Zabow is a forensic psychiatrist and teacher with particular interest in Psychiatry, Ethics and the Law. He has developed an interest and expertise in mental health law and ethics and related matters which have gained him recognition internationally with the receipt of significant honours and awards. He has been called upon as consultant in the review of Mental Health legislation and served on numerous committees. His past activities on committees of the World Psychiatric Association and as vice-president of the World Association of Medical Law have related to ethical issues in mental health. His specific interests relate to issues of research ethics in vulnerable populations and mental illness in doctors. He is the Honorary Psychiatrist to the Cape Mental Health Society and has held positions in the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa.
He is a Past-Chairperson of the Africa Division of the Royal College of Psychiatrists as well as a Past-President of the South African Society of Psychiatrists.
After decades in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cape Town, he was appointed as Emeritus Professor on his retirement in 2006. His private practice focuses on his long time interest of Forensic Psychiatry and other areas of Medical Law.