Media Diversity Institute www.media-diversity.org / Tel: +44 20 7255 2473 / Fax: +44 20 7580 8597 ________________________________________ MEDIA: PART OF THE PROBLEM OR THE SOLUTION? Liverpool ICC, 1-3 May 2008 Milica Pesic / Executive Director

What does MDI do? Mobilizes the power of the news media for deeper public understanding of diversity Promotes the highest standards of professional journalism related to diversity

Mobilizes the power of the news media for deeper public understanding of diversity

Promotes the highest standards of professional journalism related to diversity

Embracing Diversity? Michael Ignatieff : Liberal democracy based on principals of exclusion, not inclusion . The vote initially extended only to white, property-owning males. This struggle is still going on: North-American concepts – Melting Pot; Salad Bowl. EU concepts: Integration. UK concept: Balancing Multiculturalism with Integration. French concept: Civic assimilation. Others

Michael Ignatieff :

Liberal democracy based on principals of exclusion, not inclusion .

The vote initially extended only to white, property-owning males.

This struggle is still going on:

North-American concepts – Melting Pot; Salad Bowl.

EU concepts: Integration.

UK concept: Balancing Multiculturalism with Integration.

French concept: Civic assimilation.

Others

Why do we work with Media? Media have the power to change attitudes: Can be a bridge between communities Can be a tool for promoting diversity Can be a forum for dialogue Can confront irrational prejudices and challenge extremist political agendas

Media have the power to change attitudes:

Can be a bridge between communities

Can be a tool for promoting diversity

Can be a forum for dialogue

Can confront irrational prejudices and challenge extremist political agendas

What kind of journalism? Responsible journalism Fair, accurate, inclusive, balanced, sensitive RJ vital in promoting understanding of/between different groups

Responsible journalism

Fair, accurate, inclusive, balanced, sensitive

RJ vital in promoting understanding of/between different groups

Public Vs Commercial Media Legal obligations for public service media – inclusiveness [BBC: makes viewers feel it is in tune with their lives] Commercial media: business case for diversity

Legal obligations for public service media – inclusiveness

[BBC: makes viewers feel it is in tune with their lives]

Commercial media: business case for diversity

Daily Express, 17 April 2008 IMMIGRANTS BRING MORE CRIME The surge in immigration has led to higher crime rates. By Tom Whitehead of Labour’s open-door policy.

IMMIGRANTS BRING MORE CRIME The surge in immigration has led to higher crime rates. By Tom Whitehead of Labour’s open-door policy.

Search: Migrant crime wave a myth - police study Acpo report concludes offending no worse than rest of the population The Guardian, 16 April 2008

Migrant crime wave a myth - police study

Acpo report concludes offending no worse than rest of the population

3,000 GIPSIES HEAD FOR ENGLAND : We have best handouts The Sun Gypsies invade Dover, hoping for a handout The Independent Resentment as 'invasion' continues Daily Telegraph Gipsy scam grows: Thousands on the way seeking benefits cash Daily Express LESS THAN 1%

Roma in the UK tabloids

Asylum-seekers in the UK tabloids

Body Image/ Intimate Encounters 3

No common ground between the West and Islam - conflict inevitable. Muslims - a threat to traditional British customs, values and ways of life. Alternative world views not mentioned or are not given a fair hearing. The tone of language is frequently emotive, immoderate, alarmist or abusive. The coverage is likely to provoke/increase feelings of insecurity amongst Muslims as well as non-Muslims. The coverage is likely to be a major barrier preventing the success of the Government’s community cohesion policies and programmes. Unlikely to contribute to informed debate amongst Muslims and non-Muslims about ways to maintain and develop Britain as a multicultural democracy. MUSLIMS IN THE UK MEDIA London Mayor’s Report on Islam, Nov 2007

No common ground between the West and Islam - conflict inevitable.

Muslims - a threat to traditional British customs, values and ways of life.

Alternative world views not mentioned or are not given a fair hearing.

The tone of language is frequently emotive, immoderate, alarmist or abusive.

The coverage is likely to provoke/increase feelings of insecurity amongst Muslims as well as non-Muslims.

The coverage is likely to be a major barrier preventing the success of the Government’s community cohesion policies and programmes.

Unlikely to contribute to informed debate amongst Muslims and non-Muslims about ways to maintain and develop Britain as a multicultural democracy.

Learning, Learning, Learning

Media Diversity Institute www.media-diversity.org / Tel: +44 20 7255 2473 / Fax: +44 20 7580 8597 ________________________________________ MEDIA: PART OF THE PROBLEM OR THE SOLUTION? Liverpool ICC, 1-3 May 2008 Milica Pesic / Executive Director