The media and social responsibility – facts and fictions

The focus of this event will be on the importance of responsible social reporting when portraying vulnerable people. The event aims to look at the role of the media in helping to improve public understanding of social issues such as mental health, poverty and inequality through accurate and responsible reporting.

The event aims to:

• Explore the difficulties associated with reporting on social issues and vulnerable people.
• Demonstrate how the media can play a vital role in altering the perceptions and stereotypes of vulnerable people.
• Show the importance of responsible reporting in order to improve public understanding of social issues such as mental health, poverty and inequality.
• Change perceptions of vulnerable people and how they are portrayed in the media.
• Provide useful guidance for reportingon social issues.

Key speeches and workshops from:

• Adam Christie: National Union of Journalists
• John Gibson: Media Action Group
• Shari Brown: Restore
• Mark Saunders of The Spectacle Group
• Event Chair: Nick Booth from Podnosh, former BBC reporter & documentary maker

The day will include speeches, open debate & workshops:

• Reporting around mental health & suicide
• Poverty in the media
• Myths & misconceptions

"It's better to report the truth, even if some people don't like it, than to leave some of society's worst problems festering in the dark".
Neil Mackay, investigative journalist, film-maker and author