Impress releases new guidance

Independent press regulator Impress has released new guidance aimed to equip the public with the tools needed to help eliminate homophobia, biphobia and transphobia from the media.

The information pack provides the public with clear guidance on complaints processes they can utilise as well as tips on advocating for responsible and accountable media and improving their own news habits.

Writing as part of the pack, Impress Chair, Richard Ayre, said: “When I turned 18, I could have been sent to jail as a gay man. I could have been jailed again in my thirties for living with my partner who was just twenty. We’ve now made it through forty years together unincarcerated, but countless people around the world are still imprisoned, murdered or ostracised for who they sleep with.

“Even here in the UK, daily threats and insults are made against lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and non-binary people. Those who express a different gender from their sex at birth have become the target of particularly cruel abuse, accusation, and ridicule, simply for failing to conform to someone else’s version of normality.”

Ayre continued: “It’s the role of a free press to scrutinise laws, public policies, and the behaviour of institutions, groups and individuals. While doing that, not just the law, but any civilised code of journalistic ethics, requires us to avoid inciting hatred or violence towards people going about their lawful business. Good journalism will report these matters, seeking to understand and explain what causes people to despise or to fear those who are just different.

“But responsible journalism should never do anything to encourage that hatred or discrimination.”

At the start of 2023, Impress introduced their new Standards Code, including a change to their discrimination clause.

The new clause meant member publications could be found in breach of the code for encouraging hatred or abuse against groups.

In an interview with Impress during Pride Month 2023, QueerAF Editor Jamie Wareham pinpointed the lack of representation in newsrooms as one reason for the continued presence of homophobia in the media.

“Only a media industry that represents, hires and understands us can do justice to LGBTQIA+ stories,” Wareham said.

“There is an inherent value in having us in the newsroom. Not just because we’ll be able to tell queer stories, but because we can bring our unique lived experiences to the table – that will shift all kinds of coverage.”