KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 — The Malaysian Media Council (MMC) and the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) need to hold discussions to identify appropriate ethics in reporting and broadcasting videos related to accidents or tragedies.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the move was necessary following complaints received by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) regarding several video clips related to accidents that were posted in full without censorship by social media accounts owned by media companies.

He said the act of uploading footage related to tragedies or accidents, such as vehicle dashboard camera footage without censorship, especially those with tragic and emotional elements, was feared to cause trauma to viewers.

“This matter needs to be given attention, because at this time we have not yet restricted those aged 16 and under (using social media), so it is possible that those watching are children.

“So there needs to be an immediate discussion to identify a balanced measure between reporting and also possible video content that could be considered too graphic such as blood,” he said in a press conference after witnessing the Exchange of Memorandum of Understanding regarding cooperation in curbing scam activities, between MCMC and the Securities Commission of Malaysia (SC) here today.

Fahmi said this when asked to comment on the media briefing session regarding content guidelines organised by MCMC yesterday which was claimed by some parties as an act contrary to journalistic practices which require freedom and transparency of information to the public.

Further commenting, Fahmi said that all actions taken by MCMC are based on the law and guided by complaints received.

“So it does not only involve the media; The media chapter is in terms of reporting, and if there are public accounts that show examples of graphic violence or that violate the community guidelines for any platform, then the platform itself will take action.

“For media practitioners, we ask that self-control be implemented, but the discussion also needs to be held, it is appropriate that we give the industry an opportunity to gather and discuss this matter together,” he said. — Bernama