Kuala lumpur: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) and the Malaysian Media Council (MMM) have expressed a joint commitment to advancing gender equality, upholding human dignity, and strengthening ethical and responsible media practices in Malaysia.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, in a joint statement, SUHAKAM and MMM announced that in conjunction with the celebration of International Women's Day 2026, both institutions intend to enhance dialogue and cooperation at the intersection of human rights and media governance. The collaboration will focus on capacity-building initiatives, developing training modules, and establishing a working group to examine media ethics from a gender perspective.

Both institutions also plan to explore measures to promote gender- and child-sensitive media writing standards and encourage responsible reporting on issues affecting women, children, and vulnerable communities. Additionally, they aim to support a safer working environment for journalists, particularly women, and address harassment and intimidation issues in the course of their duties.

The initiative aligns with Malaysia's commitments under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. SUHAKAM commissioner Melissa Akhir emphasized that advancing women's rights and strengthening ethical journalism are shared responsibilities requiring sustained commitment.

MMM Board member Gayathry Venkiteswaran highlighted the importance of ethical, fair, and inclusive reporting in building public trust and strengthening democratic discourse. She noted that gender-sensitive reporting aids public understanding of societal realities and contributions, leading to more accurate journalism and informed public debate.