Dear John

An Early Day Motion has been tabled in Parliament, condemning the use of
derogatory language which can lead to negative and stigmatising reports.

Please Ask Your MP to Sign it Today
[[link removed]]This is a really positive progression for the Reporting Poverty work that we and
others have been involved in in recent years, and comes at a crucial time. All
media outlets are rightly focusing on the cost of living emergency, and what
that means for people on already low incomes. We want to encourage reporting
that is considered, sensitive, dignified, and which amplifies the voices and
insights of people with personal experience of the issues. The Early Day Motion
immediately puts this topic directly before MPs for them to consider directly.
It also highlights the concerns and reservations of people in poverty, and it
calls for a united cross-party response.

This matters because every one of us is influenced by the stories we hear, and
affected by the language around us. Our views on any issue are affected by how
stories are presented – by what we are told and shown, and by what is left out.
So when complex social issues are misreported, or reported in an aggressive
manner, it can really skew the public’s understanding. For too long, the
dominant stories told in the UK about poverty were deeply skewed and misleading.
For the past six years, Church Action on Poverty, the National Union of
Journalists, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, ATD Fourth World, On Road Media, people
with experience of media interviews, and journalists already leading by example
have been working together to press for positive change. The EDM is a valuable
next step.

Rachel Broady, who has led the work at the NUJ, says: “It would be really
helpful if Church Action on Poverty supporters and others can ask their own MP
to sign the motion, and explain why it’s important to them as a constituent. We
would really like a debate to take place in the House abou the reporting of
poverty.”

Please ask your MP to read and sign Early Day Motion 284. It has been tabled by
Ian Byrne MP, and reads:

"That this House recognises the importance of journalism in reporting poverty in
the UK; condemns any use of derogatory language which can lead to negative
stigmatising; notes that this issue is of ever-increasing importance as the
working class face a cost of living crisis and the Government’s Fighting Fraud
in the Welfare System plan; further notes that the public increasingly reject
the toxicity of discourse and debate in the UK; believes that a common,
cross-party commitment to challenging discriminatory language will send a
powerful, positive message at a time when it is needed; and calls for
collaboration with trade unions and anti-poverty organisations, including the
NUJ, BAFWU, and the Right to Food campaign, to challenge discourse and to
promote awareness and the rejection of negative media messages about people
experiencing poverty."

Please Ask Your MP to Sign it Today
[[link removed]]Best wishes,

Liam Purcell
Church Action on Poverty

28 Sandpiper Court, Water's Edge Business Park, Modwen Road, Salford M5 3EZ |
0161 872 9294
Registered charity number 1079986. Company limited by guarantee, registered in
England and Wales, number 3780243.

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