In the recent House of Commons debate on International Women’s Day, I spoke about my new campaign calling for a clause in the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) editors’ code on the reporting of fatal domestic abuse.
I believe that we need a legally binding code for the media, not a voluntary one, as currently exists with IPSO. The way in which the press reports domestic abuse is often inaccurate and undignified, and prioritises sensationalist headlines over responsible reporting. There is often negative framing of victims, and when this goes viral it is amplified over and over again. That is extremely damaging because it reinforces negative framing around the victims, and what is seen as acceptable or “deserving” behaviour of the woman—as it often is—who is killed.
I was pleased therefore to join Level Up, who are also campaigning to change the way that the press reports fatal domestic abuse, to hand over a petition at the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) signed by 26,000 people and write to IPSO as part of their consultation process calling on them to reform their Editorial Code.
The Minister has agreed with me and I am in the process of setting this up.