Guidelines
There are a number of guidelines that promote the accurate and unbiased reporting of asylum and refugee issues in the media.
These include topic-specific guidance notes, as well as more general codes of conduct and practice that contain relevant clauses on principles such as accuracy and discrimination.
Guidelines on reporting refugees, asylum seekers and ethnic minority groups
Commission for Racial Equality 'Guidance for Journalists'
National Union of Journalists, Exiled Journalists Network, MediaWise, UNHCR 'Reporting asylum and refugee issues'
National Union of Journalists [NUJ]. As well as the above guidelines produced in collaboration with other organisations, the NUJ has its own Code of Conduct online, and has published online recommendations on reporting vulnerable people arising from a seminar, including the recommendations on reporting asylum seekers and refugees made by a Ugandan refugee journalist.
Oxfam, the National Union of Journalists, and the Scottish Refugee Council: Refugees and asylum seekers: A guide for journalists in Scotland
This guide for Scottish journalists aims to improve the quality of media coverage of the asylum debate and promote deeper, informed analysis through the provision of accurate reference material on key topics, contacts, dates and information sources.
Press Complaints Commission [PCC] 'Refugees and asylum seekers' [guidance note on terminology]
General guidelines and codes of conduct
Advertising Standards Authority [ASA]. The ASA is the self-regulatory body for non-broadcast advertisements, sales promotions and direct marketing in the UK. It features the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing on its website.
Office of Communications [Ofcom]. Ofcom is the regulator for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services. It replaces the five separate bodies that previously handled complaints against broadcasters in the UK. Ofcom has a number of codes and guidelines that relate to conduct and practice within the broadcast media.
Press Complaints Commission [PCC]. The Press Complaints Commission deals with complaints from members of the public about the editorial content of newspapers and magazines. Its Code of Practice is available online and the PCC website also provides guidance on complaints relating to discrimination. [please note that the discrimination clause referred to is now Clause 12, not Clause 13, according to the June 2004 version of the code].
Guidelines for the refugee sector on working with the media
Refugee Media Group in Wales. This group has produced a publication called Let’s talk to the media: A practical guide for refuge community organisations and refugee practitioners on working with the media that aims to provide helpful information and strategies for refugee community organisations, or any other groups wishing to engage in, or already working on, challenging negative public opinions of refugees and asylum seekers via the media. For more information visit the Oxfam website.
Bookmark this page:
Last Updated: 25/02/09
