Media Guide

MEDIA GUIDE: Reporting on Conversion Practices in Malaysia

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

This Media Guide by Justice for Sisters (JFS) aims to assist media professionals in reporting accurately and sensitively on conversion practices in Malaysia. It encourages the use of advocacy language and offers insights to avoid harmful narratives. 

The content in this guide is based on JFS’ report ‘Hidden Behind the Right Path: Untangling Malaysia’s “Soft Approach” to LGBTQ Rehabilitation’, and other resources. 

We hope you find this Media Guide informative and helpful. If you wish to provide feedback, ask questions, or reach out to us, you may contact us at info@justiceforsisters.org.

CREATING A FAIR AND ACCURATE MEDIA LANDSCAPE

The media, as the primary disseminator of information, is an important catalyst for progress. As a media practitioner, your role is transformative in addressing the lack of public awareness concerning the challenges faced by LGBTIQ and gender-diverse people in Malaysia.

LGBTIQ and gender-diverse people are increasingly subjected to criminalisation, state-sponsored conversion practices, censorship, and other forms of state-regulated control based on SOGIESC. You can find more information on the situation in Malaysia here. 

Since 2010, the Malaysian government, led by the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), JAKIM, and state Islamic departments, has escalated efforts for LGBT ‘rehabilitation’ through conversion practices. 

Mainstream Malay language media often mirror the government’s narratives, promoting stories of ex-LGBT people finding the “right path” and urging LGBT people to repent.

Both state and non-state actors conduct conversion practices. These efforts include religious motivational camps, endorsing ‘rehabilitated ex-LGBT’ groups and collaborating with local universities. The goal of conversion practices is to change people’s sexual orientation from gay, lesbian, bisexual, or queer to heterosexual and to make trans and gender-diverse people cisgender. 

It’s crucial to highlight that medical and psychological experts widely consider these practices unethical and harmful. Meanwhile, the government claims that around 1,769 LGBT people have attended the mukhayyam programme between 2012 to 2021. 220 people have reportedly attended the camps between January and October 2023 alone. 

The impact of sensationalist reporting on LGBTIQ and gender-diverse persons

The media wields a direct influence on the daily realities of gender-diverse and LGBTIQ people. According to a 2023 JFS et al survey, 29.5% of LGBTIQ and gender-diverse respondents (46 out of 156) felt pressured to change their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression due to media narratives about ex-LGBT people and how LGBT people can change their SOGIE. One respondent highlighted the pressure to pretend to be straight, as these narratives implied the effectiveness of “curing” LGBTQ people.

“It does not pressure me to change my identity completely, however, it does pressure me to continue pretending to be straight, as these narratives have convinced many that it’s effective to “cure” the LGBTQ.”

Out of the 156 respondents, 32.7% (51) reported others using media narratives to pressure or encourage them to change their SOGIE. Among those 51 respondents, 68.6% were aged between 19 and 30, 5.9% were between 12 and 18, and 43.1% came from a Muslim background.

Meanwhile, in a 2023 JFS et al survey, 55% (121 out of 220) of LGBTIQ and gender-diverse respondents experienced increased mental health strain due to media sensationalism. Furthermore, 39.1% (86 respondents) reported direct discrimination linked to media sensationalism, with 20% experiencing multiple forms of discrimination or violence. 

Using the right language to mobilise change

To respect and empower LGBTIQ and gender-diverse people, it’s best to ask how they identify and their preferred pronouns. Some LGBTIQ and gender-diverse people may use terms that have a derogatory context when talking about or among themselves. Given the power of these terms, it’s important to distinguish between their use by LGBTIQ people and non-LGBTIQ people. 

Using respectful language and advocacy terminologies helps balance the power dynamics and contributes to a fair media landscape, safeguarding the rights and safety of LGBTIQ and gender-diverse people. 

You can refer to our Checklist for tips on using the right language when reporting on conversion practices. 

What is the media’s role in covering conversion practices? 

  • Adhering to ethical journalism practices (see Global Charter for Journalists) 
  • Providing accurate coverage of conversion practices by including various perspectives from
  • LGBTIQ and gender-diverse people.  
  • Mental health experts
  • Human rights advocates
  • Organisations working for LGBTIQ rights

As you include LGBTIQ perspectives, be mindful that some people may not have processed their traumatic experiences or may themselves be unaware of the right language and terminology. It’s crucial to maintain their voices and their experiences while not reinforcing stereotypes. To contextualise these experiences, you can include analyses by human rights groups. 

  • Educating the public about the disproven and harmful nature of conversion practices 
  • Dispelling myths and misconceptions.
  • Emphasising the consensus among reputable medical and psychological associations that conversion therapy is ineffective.
  • Highlighting the potential risks and negative consequences associated with these practices.

Global Charter of Ethics for Journalists

The International Federation of Journalists’ (“IFJ”) Global Charter of Ethics for Journalists was adopted at the 30th IFJ World Congress in Tunis on 12 June 2019. It completes the IFJ Declaration of Principles on the Conduct of Journalists (1954), known as the Bordeaux Declaration.  

Guided by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Charter outlines 16 articles.

Particularly relevant to the reporting and content creation on conversion practices is Article 9 of the Global Charter of Ethics for Journalists: 

Journalists shall ensure that the dissemination of information or opinion does not contribute to hatred or prejudice and shall do their utmost to avoid facilitating the spread of discrimination on grounds such as geographical, social or ethnic origin, race, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion, disability, political and other opinions.

The full Charter can be found here 

https://www.ifj.org/who/rules-and-policy/global-charter-of-ethics-for-journalists

 

CHECKLIST FOR REPORTING AND CREATING CONTENT ON CONVERSION PRACTICES

This Checklist can be used as a quick reference to ensure your content is accurate and uses the correct language.

  • Headlines or Titles

    AVOID sensationalist and/or inaccurate headlines and titles that use derogatory language to draw attention. 

    Here’s an example of how a headline can be improved.

    Example of sensationalist headline
    Bekas mak nyah antarabangsa insaf!

    Recommended headline:
    30 mak nyah terpaksa ‘berubah’ untuk hadiri kelas mengaji

    The wide-ranging discrimination and exclusion faced by trans people, including being denied access to religious spaces forces trans people to “change” themselves. They are made to choose between their faith and their gender identity just to practise their faith and religion. Many religious spaces and institutions increasingly welcome people of all gender identities without condition.

    The structural and systemic discrimination that trans people face results in among others, a lack of employment opportunities, and access to LGBT-affirming services, leading some trans women to choose sex work as their only viable option for survival. This is often used to shame them.

  • Language and Terminology

    DO use accurate and affirming terms and pronouns for LGBTIQ and gender-diverse persons. You can make it easier by introducing your own name and pronouns before asking them for theirs. It’s also considered a good practice to include your pronouns in your business cards and emails. “They/them” are also valid pronouns. 

    Example: 

    [in conversations] My name is Ahmad Albab, and my pronouns are he/him. What are your name and pronouns?

    [for emails or business cards]  Ahmad Albab (he/him) 

    AVOID stigmatising language or terms that perpetuate stereotypes.

    Language to avoid

    Homosexual 
    The term homosexual has a medical connotation. It is an outdated term that is not preferred by LGBT people.

    Recommended language

    Lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons or people 
    Ask people how they identify their sexual orientation

    __

    Language to avoid

    LGBT lifestyle 

    “those who engage in the LGBT lifestyle pose a health threat to their family members.” 

    Dismisses the notion that LGBT identities, like cisgender heterosexual identities, are valid and diverse forms of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.

    Recommended language
    LGBT identities, LGBT people

    __

    DO use the correct term ‘conversion practices’ instead of ‘conversion therapy’. The term ‘conversion therapy’ is misleading as it gives medical legitimacy to these harmful practices.

  • Positioning

    AVOID uncritically featuring opinions from all sides that may perpetuate discrimination. For example, right-wing-leaning actors and conservatives, and practitioners of conversion practices. 

    DO include expert opinions. You can reach out to Malaysian LGBTIQ groups and/or NGOs to help identify experts.

  • Depiction

    AVOID visuals or portrayals that disempower LGBTIQ people or reinforce stereotypes. 

    Examples are: 

    A trans woman in men’s clothing in a mosque (depicting “repentance”)

    A trans woman applying makeup on her face



  • Handling Misinformation

    DO fact-check claims and provide evidence

    DO correct misinformation within the same article or content

    DO seek input from experts and prioritise their statements over unfounded opinions

  • Including LGBTIQ and Gender-diverse Voices

    DO obtain informed consent from people you approach for interviews.

    DO respect people’s chosen names and pronouns; avoid “deadnaming” or referring to a transgender or non-binary person by the name they used prior to transitioning, such as their assigned name or legal name. 

    DO protect their privacy by not revealing identifying information.

Good Practices

  • Reach out to LGBTIQ organisations, advocacy groups, and relevant experts for their opinions – holistic when reporting on news 
  • Consider regularly featuring expert opinions in your publication or platform
  • Compare domestic developments with global progress on the issue. As of August 2023, 26 countries have introduced direct or indirect bans on conversion practices. You can get updates from websites like ILGA World or Statista for figures. For statistics and other information on conversion practices in Malaysia, you can refer to our microsite. 
  • Include citations from reputable global sources regarding SOGIE, such as Independent Expert on SOGI, ILGA World, and ASEAN SOGIE Caucus to counter misinformation.

Here’s an example of an article that employs best practices.

RESOURCES AND REFERENCES

This list of Resources and References is aimed at helping you create informed content.