A report examined how crimes of violence against women were reported in national newspapers, how women were portrayed more broadly, and the general visibility of women in public life. It said that sexism in national newspapers was endemic, and that it led to real harm to, and discrimination against, women.
Source: Just the Women, End Violence Against Women/Eaves/Equality Now/OBJECT
Links: Report | EVAW press release | Guardian report (1) | Guardian report (2)
Date: 2012-Nov
An article examined how the media reported on sentences given to those who had committed serious crimes against children, and how this affected public knowledge and attitudes. A small number of very high-profile crimes accounted for a significant proportion of reporting in this area and often, particularly in the tabloid press, important information regarding sentencing rationale was sidelined in favour of moral condemnation and criticism of the judiciary. Public attitudes were highly critical of sentencing but also confused about the meaning of tariffs.
Source: Mike Berry, Greg Philo, Giuliana Tiripelli, Stevie Docherty, and Colin Macpherson, 'Media coverage and public understanding of sentencing policy in relation to crimes against children', Criminology and Criminal Justice, Volume 12 Number 5
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Nov
A report said that misleading news coverage, driven mostly by the policy process, was preventing thousands of people in need from claiming vital welfare benefits. 1 in 4 eligible people had either delayed claiming or refused to do so completely due to the perceived stigma attached to applying for state support.
Source: Ben Baumberg, Kate Bell, and Declan Gaffney (with Rachel Deacon, Clancy Hood, and Daniel Sage), Benefits Stigma in Britain, Turn2us
Links: Report | Turn2us press release | Kent University press release | Guardian report
Date: 2012-Nov
A think-tank report called for a new approach to media regulation, based on a 'light touch' and simplified system. There should be a new, independent regulator for the press; an end to the quasi-judicial role for the secretary of state over media mergers; and enhanced external oversight for the BBC, balanced with greater security over the licence fee.
Source: Nigel Warner, Life after Leveson: The challenge to strengthen Britain s diverse and vibrant media, Institute for Public Policy Research
Date: 2012-Nov
The report of an official inquiry into the culture, practices, and ethics of the press called for the creation of a new independent watchdog, underpinned by legislation.
Source: Lord Justice Leveson, An Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, HC 779, Leveson Inquiry, TSO
Links: Report | DCMS press release | ACPO press release | CPBF press release | EHRC press release | EVAW press release | Index on Censorship press release | Labour Party press release | Liberal Democrats press release | Liberty press release | Mind press release | PCC press release | TUC press release | BBC report | Daily Mail report | Guardian report | PinkNews report | Telegraph report
Date: 2012-Nov
A new book examined how ageing, and the increased proportion of older voters, was being framed by the media. It investigated emerging discourses on the topic founded on economic pessimism and predictions of inter-generational conflict.
Source: Scott Davidson, Going Grey: The mediation of politics in an ageing society, Ashgate Publications
Links: Summary
Date: 2012-Nov
A report examined how women were represented on the front pages of the major national daily and Sunday newspapers. 78 per cent of all front page bylines were male, and only 22 per cent were female. Men also dominated the content of the news stories themselves.
Source: Fiona Bawdon, Seen But Not Heard: How women make front page news, Women in Journalism
Links: Report | Guardian report
Date: 2012-Oct
A survey examined disabled people's views of press coverage of disability. 94 per cent suggested that press portrayal of disability equality issues was 'unfair', and 76 per cent said that the volume of negativity was 'significantly increasing'. Nearly half (42 per cent) suggested that the government was responsible for rising press negativity and hostility towards disabled people.
Source: Press Portrayal of Disabled People: A rise in hostility fuelled by austerity?, Disability Rights UK
Links: Report | DRUK press release
Date: 2012-Sep
A collection of articles examined key questions in relation to media regulation.
Source: Media Regulation and Democracy, Democratic Society
Links: Report
Date: 2012-Jul
A report said that the BBC was over-considerate towards Islam – in marked contrast to its treatment of Christianity, in particular evangelicals.
Source: Dennis Sewell, A Question of Attitude: The BBC and bias beyond news, New Culture Forum
Links: Report | Christian Institute report | Telegraph report
Date: 2012-Jul
A report provided an overview of the various ways in which public service broadcasting was structured and funded, and of the extent to which its output was distinctive, of high quality, and capable of making a difference. It said that public service broadcasting enjoyed far ruder health than the 'declinist' narrative suggested.
Source: Chris Hanretty, Public Service Broadcasting's Continued Rude Health, British Academy
Date: 2012-Apr
A report provided an analysis of the coverage of black young men and boys in the news and current affairs media, in order to establish whether there was evidence of negative stereotyping. The 'dominant discourse' surrounding black young men and boys linked them with violent crime, and particularly murders involving knives and/or gangs. Although no clear or explicit stereotype of black young men or boys was constructed across news reports, it was 'reasonable to assume' that the negative portrayal of black boys and young black men might well affect the wider readership and viewing public's perceptions of these groups.
Source: Stephen Cushion, Kerry Moore, and John Jewell, Media Representations of Black Young Men and Boys: Report of the REACH media monitoring project, Department for Communities and Local Government
Links: Report
Notes: Publication of this report was delayed by the coalition government.
Date: 2012-Apr
A paper examined the potential for documentary film to generate social change, focusing on the extent to which the social sector could use film to influence policy-makers directly.
Source: Kate Stanley with Laura Bradley, The Emotional Tipping Point: Can documentary film tip policy makers?, Save the Children
Links: Paper
Date: 2012-Mar
An article examined a range of stories concerning mental health research published in two media outlets between 2008 and 2010. The distribution of stories did not reflect 'disease burden' – research on dementia was over-represented, while depression and alcohol were under-represented. There was an emphasis on biological research, and stories on psychological interventions were rare. United Kingdom research was over-represented.
Source: Grant Lewison, Phillip Roe, A Wentworth, and George Szmukler, 'The reporting of mental disorders research in British media', Psychological Medicine, Volume 42, Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Feb
A new book examined the interaction between social media and contemporary democratic politics, and the emerging importance of social media in civic engagement.
Source: Brian Loader and Dan Mercea (eds.), Social Media and Democracy: Innovations in participatory politics, Routledge
Links: Summary
Date: 2012-Jan
A collection of articles examined what visual methodologies and visual 'evidence' could bring to the study of social inequalities.
Source: Critical Social Policy, Volume 32 Issue 1
Links: Table of contents
Date: 2012-Jan
A survey found that many young people were dissatisfied with their portrayal in television and radio programmes, and that older viewers were concerned at the under-representation of middle-aged and older women.
Source: Clarissa White, Gareth Morrell, Clare Luke, and Penny Young (with David Bunker), Serving All Ages: The views of the audience and experts, Creative Diversity Network
Links: Report | BBC press release | Guardian report
Date: 2012-Jan