NEW: Media That Moves report on creating anti-racist representation of Gypsies and Travellers in the UK media

Launched today, Media That Moves is a report from Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange, London Gypsies and Travellers, and research partner Public Interest Research Centre- read it here!

We know the media environment around Gypsy and Traveller people is harmful, discriminatory and racist. This in turn fuels the damaging policy, exclusion and prejudice the communities face to this day. The bigger question is why? And what can be done to move towards anti-racism and bold change in the UK’s media? Our new research seeks to give some answers.

Based on 30 interviews with journalists, editors and activists and workshops with the Gypsy and Traveller community, the report examines the key role of the media in systems that feed negative stereotypes, what the main influences on the media and their narratives are, and where they come from.

Media coverage has been used historically to feed deep and racist misconceptions about Gypsy and Traveller people. Drawing on other research, the report found on average one story per national newspaper every three days, without counting local news.

Daily Express and Daily Mail alone counted for more than half of the stories published. Rather than struggling only with lack of wider representation, this is a crisis of misrepresentation. The current patterns of thought and influence need to be broken, with wide systemic change needed to bring about a reframing of stories about Gypsy and Traveller people in the UK.

Members of our Leeds GATE staff and Gypsy and Traveller community were involved in the development of this project and research workshops to make this report possible. Mags, Charlotte, Kathleenanne, Grace and Teresa - thank you so much for your support.

This work is just the beginning of much-needed work to create change within the media for the Gypsy and Traveller community - as well as creating practical tools for action.

You can see and download the Summary Report here.
Our Full Report can be read here.

For more information about the project and ongoing work, please email contact@leedsgate.co.uk.