New national guidelines provide media and content creators with a framework for accurate and respectful communication about persons with disabilities.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF) has launched the Disability-Inclusive Language Guidelines.
The national reference aims to promote accurate and respectful communication across media, digital platforms and public institutions.
It was developed jointly with the persons with disabilities (PwD) community through stakeholder consultations.
The process ensured suitability within Malaysia’s cultural context and alignment with global disability rights standards.
“These guidelines address long-standing concerns raised by the PwD community on harmful, inaccurate, or ableist terminology and portrayals,” CMCF said in a statement.
It also tackles the lack of consistent inclusive language standards within Malaysia’s multilingual ecosystem.
The guidelines provide practical guidance to journalists, content creators, brands, educators and public agencies.
The focus is on terminology that reflects dignity, self-agency and real lived experiences.
For content creators and companies, it provides direction on language that avoids stigma while promoting fair and accurate representation.
“For policymakers and public institutions, it establishes a common foundation to enhance inclusivity, sensitivity, and accuracy in public communication,” the statement read.
CMCF chief executive officer Mediha Mahmood said the development demonstrates what can be achieved through collaboration.
“Clear and respectful language helps dismantle stigma and creates room for PwDs to be represented as they truly are: contributors, leaders, and equal participants in the nation’s narrative,” she said.
The guidelines cover outdated or harmful terminology that distorts lived experiences.
They also address stereotypes, ableist perceptions and infantilising or sensationalised narratives.
Other areas include visuals that marginalise PwDs and emerging concerns like AI-generated descriptions and digital content labelling.
The publication will serve as a key reference for media organisations to support newsroom policies.
It aims to encourage more responsible, rights-based reporting on PwD issues.
The guidelines were created through a collaborative process led by CMCF.
They were shaped by extensive input from the PwD community, advocacy groups, linguists and industry practitioners.
The Disability-Inclusive Language Guidelines can be downloaded from the CMCF website.
