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UK TV series ‘Benefits Street’ backlash prompts new guidelines for journalists

04-13-2016 07:52 AM CET | Media & Telecommunications

Press release from: Church Action on Poverty

Embargoed Wednesday 13th April 00.01
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has developed a set of guidelines for reporting poverty. The guidelines have been produced in response to media reporting that stigmatises people living in poverty, in particular those in receipt of benefits, by using misleading information and negative stereotypes.
The NUJ have worked in partnership with UK charity Church Action on Poverty to produce the guide for journalists, which is uniquely based on the words and experiences of people relying on benefits and living in poverty.
The guide will be launched at this week’s NUJ delegates’ conference in Southport. The NUJ guidelines on reporting poverty are the latest in its series of guidelines which include reporting on race, age and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues, as part of its commitment to ethical journalism.
Jackie Cox, the Poverty Media Coordinator for Church Action on Poverty says: “producing a guide for journalists with the NUJ has been a great way to follow-on from ourReal Benefits Street project which challenged the negative stereotypes portrayed by Channel 4’s Benefits Street and some other sections of the media. We wanted the people who are experiencing poverty, and being stigmatised because of it, to be able to put their point of view to journalists.”
Rachel Broady, a freelance journalist and Equality Officer for the NUJ Manchester and Salford branch says: “Profits are made by media companies, newspapers, websites, and television channels on the backs of these stereotypes, demonising and alienating those receiving benefits to which they are entitled. It is the duty of journalists to report fairly and accurately. The guide is intended to help journalists achieve that when reporting on poverty”.
Shirley has had to rely on benefits and has even used a food bank, despite the fact that she has always worked. She says: “Recognise that people living in poverty are human beings. People living in poverty have dignity. That humanity and dignity is taken away because of how the media portrays them.”
Letitia, a university graduate and a single parent, who has claimed benefits, says: “Don’t contribute to the idea that there are deserving and undeserving poor people – no one wants or deserves to live in poverty”.
Niall Cooper, Director of Church Action on Poverty says: “It is hoped that individual journalists, newspapers, broadcasters and online media companies will adopt the guidelines and use them to report on poverty and related issues in a responsible and accurate way”.
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Download the full guide here http://www.church-poverty.org.uk/news/pressroom/stigma/nuj
NUJ Guidelines on Reporting Poverty

· The NUJ believes that the development of discriminatory language and the demonisation of the working poor and benefit recipients, through the use of stereotypes and misinformation, is an insult to workers, trade union organisations and readers.
· The NUJ believes that its members as trade unionists cannot avoid a measure of responsibility in fighting stereotypes of the working poor and benefit recipients as expressed through the mass media.
· The NUJ reaffirms its total opposition to censorship, but equally reaffirms its belief that press freedom must be conditioned by responsibility, and a resolution by all media workers not to allow press freedom to be abused to slander a section of the community.
· The NUJ believes that newspapers and magazines should not originate material which encourages discrimination on grounds of being working poor or a benefit recipient.
· The NUJ believes that editors should ensure that coverage of social security stories should be placed in a balanced context.
The NUJ will continue to monitor the development of media coverage in this area and give support to members seeking to enforce the above aims.
For further information, images or to arrange an interview contact:
Jackie Cox, Church Action on Poverty.
Tel. 0161 872 9294
Tel. 07479686201
jacie@church-poverty.org.uk
Liam Purcell, Church Action on Poverty
Tel. 07728 290 777
liamp@church-poverty.org.uk
Church Action on Poverty welcome working with journalists and editors who adopt the NUJ guidelines when reporting on poverty, and who want to give people living in poverty a voice.
Real Benefits Street www.realbenefits-street.com
Rachel Broady (Equality Officer – NUJ Manchester and Salford Branch)
Tel. 07935 067 311
mcrsalfordnuj@gmail.com

Church Action on Poverty is a national ecumenical Christian social justice charity, committed to tackling poverty in the UK. We work in partnership with churches and with people in poverty themselves to find solutions to poverty, locally, nationally and globally.

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