7 days ago
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.
