This campaign has now closed

Active promotion of fair and positive coverage of Gypsy and Traveller issues in the media, and support and training for Gypsy and Traveller activists so they can effectively represent the views of their communities on the media

100%
Categories

  • Community Support & Development Community Support & Development
  • Education/Training/Employment Education/​Training/​Employment
  • Religious Religious
  • Other Other
  • Beneficiaries

    • Children (3-18) Children (3-18)
    • Older People Older People
    • Women & Girls Women & Girls
    • Young People (18-30) Young People (18-30)
    • Other Other

    Situation

    Most people have never met a Gypsy or Traveller, and their views are formed by what they see in the Media. This generally negative view can have a huge impact on political decisions on provision of services to Gypsies and Travellers and how they are treated, as well as causing distress and resentment to the communities and encouraging openly racist comments and bullying in schools. As an agency we are often approached by the media for an instant off the cuff view on what is usually a shock horror story, and we are in a dilemma as to whether to contribute what is essentially a reactive response. Members of the communities we work with are very reluctant to speak to the media as they are rightly afraid they will be manipulated and misrepresented. LGTU has been supporting the residents on the sites being relocated because of the Olympics where we have tried to take a more proactive strategy. We have sought coverage for the stories that the Gypsies and Travellers want to tell, looking for responsible journalists, maintaining contact with them and supporting the Traveller spokespeople. We think we've begun to have some success and need resources to develop this role and have a dedicated post so this work is not just squeezed in between all the other demands being made on the staff. We particularly want to be able to offer more media training to the Travellers we work with, and also incorporate some awareness raising in our youth programme. Project cost £31,000 per annum for 3 years.

    Solution

    100%
    Categories

  • Community Support & Development Community Support & Development
  • Education/Training/Employment Education/​Training/​Employment
  • Religious Religious
  • Other Other
  • Beneficiaries

    • Children (3-18) Children (3-18)
    • Older People Older People
    • Women & Girls Women & Girls
    • Young People (18-30) Young People (18-30)
    • Other Other