Justice for Sisters (JFS) is deeply concerned by the misgendering, use of discriminatory terms to describe transgender women, violation of their privacy, and other discriminatory practices related to transgender news reporting by Bernama, Malaysia’s national news agency.  

In July alone, Bernama reported two transgender women-related news stories in English and BM. In both reports, Bernama used discriminatory terms such as ‘pondan’ and misgendered the women by using terms such as ‘lelaki berperwatakan perempuan’, ‘transvestite’, and ‘male persons’. Additionally, both reports also disclosed their name according to legal documents, violating their privacy. 

As the source for most Malaysian news media, Bernama’s poor media standards have a ripple effect on the reporting by other media outlets, who generally already have poor LGBTIQ reporting standards. Both reports were republished without correction in at least 13 media outlets in English (3) and Malay (10) languages, amplifying stigma and discrimination against transgender women. 

We stress that transgender women are women. Misgendering and deadnaming trans people deny their right to identity, self-determination, equality, non-discrimination, and privacy.

While the Malaysian government maintains discriminatory legal barriers for transgender people and has yet to legally recognize transgender people’s gender identity, the media must refrain from reproducing discrimination against transgender people. Instead, given the pervasive transphobia and denial of trans people’s identity, the media has an important role in educating the public on, among others, the right and respectful terms to describe trans people.  

Research shows that the use of the correct pronouns, names, and gender identities to describe trans and gender-diverse people can save lives, increase trust, promote well-being, and prevent mental health issues, such as depression and suicidal ideation, among others. 

A 2022 research with LGBTQ people in Malaysia indicated that mental health issues (including depression and suicidal ideation) are two times higher among the LGBTQ population than the general population. 

A 2021 survey showed that the media played a significant role in intensifying hostility and discrimination against LGBTIQ people. 55% of the 220 LGBTQ survey participants noted that they experienced increased strain on their mental health due to media sensationalism. Meanwhile, 59% reported experiencing one or more forms of discrimination 

As the national news agency, Bernama must hold itself to higher standards and ethics, including respecting the dignity of the persons named and/or represented in its reports. All media outlets have a duty to uphold the dignity of transgender and all LGBTIQ and gender-diverse people. 

Trans-affirming language 

When reporting on stories involving transgender people, it is important to avoid terms that are pejorative, discriminatory, and outdated terms. 

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