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The Star
7 days ago
- General
- The Star
Ethical reporting in suicide cases
Useful handbook: Fahmi (third from left) holding a copy of the Suicide Content Guidelines at Menara Star in Petaling Jaya. With him are (from left) MCMC deputy managing director Datuk Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin, Mediha, Rafiq, Dr Ismuni and Wong. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star Mainstream and social media urged to observe the dos and don'ts PETALING JAYA: Ethical content reporting on suicide cases should be a collective effort by media organisations, says Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said that with the launching of the Suicide Content Guidelines, he was hopeful that they could be implemented and practised by all parties. 'For us to make a structural change, especially in the culture of reporting, the entire organisation needs to understand the importance of respecting the principles that have been established in these guidelines,' he told reporters after launching the document at Menara Star here yesterday. Following the launch, he called for the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF), which had spearheaded the drafting of the guidelines, to engage with as many media organisations as possible to ensure the essence of the document could be adopted. The guidelines, he said, are not only applicable to mainstream media but also social media platforms. 'We cannot have these social media platforms washing their hands of content that could create online harm, particularly related to suicide,' he said. Fahmi said he had requested the Content Forum to ensure the participation of social media platforms in its initiatives. He pointed out that only TikTok is a member of CMCF, urging other social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and X to follow suit. 'TikTok took an early step even before we introduced the social media licensing regime and I wholeheartedly applaud its approach to voluntarily be a member of CMCF,' he said. CMCF chief executive officer Mediha Mahmood said the drafting of the guidelines was inspired by the Health Ministry's very own version. She noted that the ministry's guidelines were released in 2011. But with various changes since then, she said there was a need to have an updated version of the guidelines. She explained that many things had changed since 2011. 'Even the media landscape has changed, so we decided that we needed to have an updated version. 'We worked together with the Health Ministry and other stakeholders to have guidelines that's not just for media reporting but also for every form of content sharing,' she said. Mediha said the guidelines were also meant for content creators, social media influencers and filmmakers. The establishment of the Malaysian Media Council would further complement the implementation of the guidelines, she said. The council will comprise members who are knowledgeable on content-related matters. 'We can have these guidelines as a standard for all media organisations and if they have improvements that they think we should make to these guidelines, we can update it at any time,' she added. CMCF chairman Rafiq Rizal said the guidelines aim to create a framework that protects the vulnerable, empowers the informed and supports a healthier and more compassionate national discourse. 'In an era when headlines compete for attention and social media posts go viral in seconds, it is essential that our content practices are guided by intention and empathy,' he said. For instance, Rafiq said discussion on suicide matters should be done with care and intention. Among the objectives of the guidelines include preventing imitative suicides, promoting help-seeking behaviour, enhancing public awareness and education, as well as supporting media professionals and social media users. Also present at the launch were Star Media Group chairman Tan Sri Wong Foon Meng, Star Media Group group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt and Health Ministry deputy director-general (public health) Dr Ismuni Bohari.
New Straits Times
03-06-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
New suicide content guidelines now apply to everyone — not just the media
PETALING JAYA: The newly launched Guidelines for Reporting and Sharing of Suicide-Related Content are not limited to traditional newsrooms but extend to all forms of media — including influencers, content creators, and everyday users. Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF) chief operating officer Mediha Mahmood expressed hope that awareness and advocacy surrounding the guidelines would reach far beyond the forum's immediate members. "The best form of advocacy is education. Many assume that compliance comes from punishment or enforcement, but I believe it's far more effective to get people genuinely invested in the guidelines — and that starts with understanding them," she told reporters at the sidelines of the launch event. "At CMCF, we see our role as one of collaboration. We want to help people understand why these guidelines exist, so they'll follow them out of conscience, not compulsion." Mediha said that CMCF aims to expand its outreach efforts to include podcasters, recognising the growing influence of such platforms. "Our immediate priority is to engage our members — mainly broadcasters and content creators — but we also hope to extend our workshops to podcasters and other emerging voices," she said. The guidelines were launched by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, and were developed through a collaborative, multi-stakeholder process involving the Communications Ministry, Health Ministry, the National Centre of Excellence for Mental Health (NCEMH), health professionals, media practitioners, civil society, technology platforms, and individuals with lived experience of suicidal ideation or attempts. Mediha said that the initiative was inspired by the Health Ministry's 2011 Guidelines for Media Reporting on Suicide, but acknowledged that evolving media landscapes necessitated an updated framework. "So much has changed since 2011 — even the way we consume media. Working together with the Health Ministry and NCEMH, we've created a new set of guidelines that cover not just news reporting, but all forms of content sharing," she said. "Whether you're a content creator, influencer, filmmaker, or someone giving an interview, these guidelines offer useful direction. We will also be collaborating with the Health Ministry to support dissemination and provide training." Mediha also welcomed the eventual establishment of the Malaysian Media Council, saying it would complement and reinforce the guidelines. "Our hope is that these guidelines can be standardised across all media platforms. And the beauty of it is — they're adaptable. If there are improvements to be made, they can be updated as needed. We're looking forward to working with the Malaysian Media Council to support this." The framework outlines a clear roadmap for ethical reporting and content sharing, covering areas such as responsible language use, the avoidance of graphic imagery and sensational headlines, and the inclusion of mental health support resources. It also emphasises the importance of the "Papageno Effect" — the protective influence of media stories that highlight hope, recovery, coping strategies, and help-seeking behaviour as tools to reduce suicidal ideation. Importantly, the guidelines go beyond traditional media and address the broader digital ecosystem. They offer practical advice on sharing lived experiences safely, avoiding potentially triggering content, and directing audiences to relevant support services. Malaysia's leadership in this area has also gained international recognition. The guidelines have been selected for presentation at the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) World Congress 2025, set to be held in Vienna.
