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.

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."