Dear John

Almost 200 people have taken action to ask their MP to read and sign the Early Day Motion, condemning the use of derogatory language which can lead to negative and stigmatising reports.

Everyone is influenced by the stories we hear, and affected by the language around us. When complex social issues are misreported, or reported in an aggressive manner, it can really skew the public’s understanding.

That is why the Early Day Motion would be really positive progression for the Reporting Poverty work that we and others have been involved in in recent years. 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.

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 Early Day Motion is a valuable next step.

So far, we've had almost 200 people write the thier MP asking them to read and sign the Early Dau Motion 284. Please ask your MP to sign it too. 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."