CMCF Launches Public Consultation On Guidelines For Reporting And Sharing Suicide-Related Content

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- The Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF) has launched a nationwide public consultation on the Guidelines for Reporting and Sharing Suicide-Related Content.

In a statement today, CMCF said the initiative seeks to establish clear ethical guidelines for reporting and sharing suicide-related content, ensuring a balance between public access to information and the protection of mental health.

"Developed in collaboration with mental health experts, media professionals, civil society organisations, and policymakers, these guidelines are designed to be both practical and impactful," the statement read. 

It said among the key areas covered are Guidelines for Influencers, Reporting on Celebrity Suicides, Reporting on Self-Harm, Social Media Users, and Portrayals of Suicide and Self-Harm in Dramas and Films.

CMCF invites all stakeholders to review the draft guidelines and provide feedback during the consultation period, which runs from Jan 28 to March 13. Further details and submissions can be made at www.contentforum.my.

CMCF will also host public dialogue sessions and webinars to conduct direct engagement, providing an opportunity for open discussion and deeper insights into the proposed guidelines.

Chief Executive Officer Mediha Mahmood stated that while the guidelines were initially developed as a framework for ethical media reporting, the organisation recognises that portrayals of suicide across all forms of content also pose significant risks.

"Addressing these risks holistically is crucial in cultivating a culture of responsible and empathetic content creation and sharing across all platforms and formats," she said in the statement.

In the same statement, Professor of Psychiatry and Senior Consultant at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Prof. Dr. Chan Lai Fong, described CMCF's initiative as a comprehensive effort covering all aspects of media.

She emphasised that it aims to promote responsible and empathetic approaches, ultimately nurturing a safer and more informed society.

-- BERNAMA