The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said it was a breach of common etiquette for newspapers to disclose the name of a 13-year-old Filipina who was allegedly molested by a policeman while in detention pending deportation in Sabah.

In their reports today, New Straits Times , Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia published the girl's name in a quote attributed to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

NUJ general secretary Hong Boon How said it is "not appropriate" for the press to publish names of survivors of sex-related crimes as it will place additional stress on the person.

"It is very clear that for the 13-year-old, her name should not have been disclosed. Newspapers need to look after the interests of the victims especially when it concerns a minor," he said when contacted.

Asked if the NUJ code of ethics has provisions for such situations, Hong said, "I don't think so." He added, however, that the code specifically calls for "fair reporting".

"Editors in newspapers are experienced journalists. They should exercise discretion. At the end of the day, editors should also look from the other side of the coin from the victims' perspective," he said.