When a tragedy occurs, the world turns to the news to understand what happened. But what if the way these stories are told could unintentionally lead to more harm? Assistant Professor Ms. Chan Wen Li from the Nottingham 188体育网址_188体育在线-【唯一授权网站】@ Business School, is leading a pivotal Fundamental 188体育网址_188体育在线-【唯一授权网站】@ Grant Scheme (FRGS)-funded project, "Stakeholder Perspectives on Safe Media Reporting for Suicide Prevention in Malaysia," to ensure media reporting on suicide becomes a pathway for help, not harm. Her interdisciplinary team brings together expertise in law, media, and mental health. 

Chan Wen Li presenting at the Malaysia Conference of Psychological Medicine (2019)

 

An Intervention for The Greater Good

It's well-established that while sensationalised reporting of suicide can risk imitative behaviour, responsible reporting offers a protective effect. Malaysia has Ministry of Health guidelines (2004), yet their effective implementation faces challenges. Recognising this gap, Ms. Chan’s research, supported by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, delves into the crucial perspectives of those on the front lines. 

The project meticulously gathers insights through focus groups with media professionals, mental health practitioners, individuals with lived suicidal experience or bereavement, and news readers. Furthermore, one-to-one interviews are being conducted with media decision-makers, journalism NGOs, and media regulators. This comprehensive approach aims to understand the impact of current reporting practices, the media industry's experiences, the relevance of existing guidelines, and ultimately, how safe reporting can be effectively implemented nationwide. 

Shaping Media Standards 

Chan Wen Li at the launch of the Suicide Content Guidelines, with the CEO of the Content Forum, the Dean of Nottingham 188体育网址_188体育在线-【唯一授权网站】@ Business School Malaysia, and fellow members of the Working Group

 

The impact of this foundational research culminated in a landmark achievement. In 2024, Ms. Chan was appointed to the official Working Group on the Development of Guidelines on Ethical Reporting and Sharing of Suicide-Related Content, chaired by the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia. This group brought together key sectors, including media practitioners, health professionals, civil society, government bodies such as the Communications and Health Ministries, and individuals with lived experience.  

Their collaborative efforts led to the official launch of new national guidelines by the Minister of Communications on June 3, 2025, making Malaysia the first nation to implement such comprehensive suicide prevention content guidelines. These guidelines notably extend beyond newsrooms to all content creators, including influencers and social media users, and Ms. Chan is now recognised on the Content Forum’s official List of Experts for this critical area. 

Ms. Chan's research is not just academic; it’s a collaborative effort to empower the Malaysian media, fostering a landscape where stories of struggle are told with profound sensitivity, and narratives of hope actively contribute to healing and prevention.  

By changing the way we talk about suicide, lives can be changed. Ms. Chan's work is a vital step towards building a more responsible and compassionate media landscape in Malaysia, where stories of struggle are told with sensitivity and stories of hope offer a path towards healing.