ABSTRACT
In a time when values are often compromised, when sensationalism can cause severe consequences to the nation, and when technological trends help break major stories, there is a growing trend to sensationalize crime stories. There is a fine line between what can be said and done and what is acceptable and unacceptable in Malaysian society. Although crime reporters believe ethical standards are important, the consequences of their reporting are based on external factors such as government regulation, organizational policy, and competition that seems unavoidable in reporting unusual crimes. This chapter examines how ethical concerns and related factors guide Malaysian crime reporting and discusses what decisions crime reporters make and how ethics come into the picture during the decision-making process.
