Transcript
This podcast is made up of some of the highlights from a conference organised by the British Red Cross concerning the role and responsibility of the media in understanding the conditions of refugees and asylum seekers.
Research by the the British Red Cross suggests that 72 percent of the UK public believe that newspaper reporting about asylum seekers is negative. And a YouGov survey found that the words people most associate with media coverage of refugees and asylum seekers are ‘illegal immigrants’ (65%) and ‘scroungers’ (28%).
These findings come nine years after the Press Complaints Commission issued guidance seeking to address inaccurate reporting about asylum seekers and refugees.
It is little wonder that the Red Cross is calling for greater fairness and a more ethical approach from journalists when talking about asylum seekers and refugees.
Although the event focuses on print media, several speakers point out how campaigners can use social media both to promote their own ideas, and to get to know journalists and suggest more positive stories.
The title of the meeting is: “Dispatches UK: The only way is ethics? Asylum seekers and press regulation”.
The first session concentrates on the role of the media in reporting asylum and refugee issues. The speakers are Dave Garratt (Refugee Action), Roy Greenslade (The Guardian) and Sunder Katwala (Director of British Future).
The second session focuses on how new media and the digital age affect reporting. The speakers are Kirsty Marrins (news and social media executive of Trinity College London), Vicky Browning (Charity Comms) and Roy Greenslade.
The third session is on the Freedom of the press and how the newly proposed regulations will affect reporting of refugees and asylum seekers. The speakers are Zrinka Bralo (Migrant Forum), Jonathan Collett (PCC), Sunder Katwala and Roy Greenslade.
The last session, chaired and introduced by Sir Nick Young, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross, collects the last thoughts from some of the speakers.
Podcast produced by Federica di Lascio
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