KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Media Council (MMC) wants media organisations to refrain from publishing details or unverified social media content that could directly or indirectly identify children involved in incidents as suspects, victims or witnesses.
In a statement, it reminded newsrooms that under Clause 9.3 of its Code of Conduct, the interests of children under 18 must be protected and may only be overridden where there is an exceptional public benefit.
"Information that attracts public attention does not necessarily serve the public interest," it said.
MMC acknowledged that incidents involving minors, particularly in schools, were matters of legitimate public concern. However, it said, it must be balanced against the potential harm to the children involved.
Under Clause 4.3, the names, photographs and identifiable locations of juvenile suspects or persons of interest must not be published or broadcast, it said.
MMC also cautioned that details such as a child's age, class, family background and social media accounts could indirectly reveal their identity.
"Materials circulating on social media and messaging platforms, including personal notes, messages, screenshots, photographs and videos allegedly involving or originating from a minor, must not be presented as established facts without appropriate verification of their source and authenticity," MMC said.
It added that under Clause 1.6, unverified information may only be reported where there is a clear public benefit, reasonable attempts at verification have been made, and the information is clearly identified as unverified.
"Such reporting must not be accompanied by speculation or misleading conclusions," it said.
MMC urged newsrooms to respect the presumption of innocence, avoid sensationalism, show compassion when interviewing affected families, and review and correct past coverage that breached the Code.
Members of the public affected by media coverage that may have breached the Code can lodge complaints through MMC's Grievance Mechanism.
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