AUG 17 — In May for 2012 I highlighted an incident in the press, of a child who was abused, that the media showed no respect for. Some media outlets were kind enough to carry the letter. In addition some editors responded personally to say they would speak to their reporters to show more respect for abused children and the law. But little has changed with the majority of media agencies. Malaysian media outlets continue to abuse children in the name of “informing the public”.
The law in Malaysia is clear. Under the Child Act 2001 (Act 611) restrictions on media reporting and publication are clearly outlined in clause 15 which states: “…. any mass media report …. shall not reveal the name, address or educational institution, or include any particulars calculated to lead to the identification of any child so concerned ….”. The same law also clearly states: “A picture of any child concerned …. shall not be published in any newspaper or magazine or transmitted through any electronic medium” (this includes “broadcast by radio or television”). The clause also outlines the suppression of the identity of the parents/guardians and abuser. Finally “Any person who contravenes subsection or commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding ten thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both.”
This law has been written to protect children. Having worked with abused children for 3 decades, we know that they are extremely vulnerable and hurt. Exposing them to the glare of the media is a further violation to an already abused child.
Media outlets are in competition and “hungry” for news. We value their role in informing us and offering commentary on situations but there must be limits. Many media outlets often publish distasteful images of people at their worst (abused, injured, in emotional pain) showing their lack of respect for basic human rights. Respecting others must come above earning a ‘buck’.
This little girl who has been severely abused and admitted to my department needs our support, not our further abuse. Splashing images of her injuries and face are not acceptable by law and certainly not by any human decorum. Many other on-line media outlets also carried the news, spreading her pain and further embarrassing her. Now this news is linked to Facebooks, blogs, etc.
The media may have wanted to “break the news” but what you have done is broken a child even further. What some of you have done is unethical, illegal and offensive. And you continue to do it repeatedly, flaunting the law, and ignoring the pain of children.
I appeal to all media outlets to purge all data on this child that identifies her from your on-line reports immediately. I want to inform all those who have uploaded or linked her images and details on any social media (facebooks, blogs, etc) to remove it immediately before you are found guilty of an offence and face a fine of up to RM 10,000 or imprisonment up to 5 years.
Our country is in a dark place where human rights and respect is concerned. Let’s at least show that we care for our children and respect their fundamental freedoms.
Finally I want to express my appreciation for every media or editor that has shown restraint in case of this little child.
* Amar-Singh HSS (Dato’ Dr) is a Senior Consultant Community Paediatrician.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.
