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Challenging racism in the media
The problem
Significant sections of the media, particularly certain tabloid newspapers, are
engaged in a daily diet of rhetoric which attacks Muslim communities, stigmatises
asylum seekers and migrants and attempts to undermine multiculturalism. Such
distorted media coverage influences public and parliamentary attitudes and promotes
racism and division in society. It is important that editors are challenged and
that alternative views are heard in the letters pages.
You can make a difference
You can play an important role in challenging damaging media coverage by writing letters to be published in newspapers and by writing or telephoning editors or feedback departments to complain.
Letters to be printed usually need to be with newspapers by 3 or 4pm, although for some newspapers, the earlier the letter is sent, the more likely it is to be published. The fastest and most effective way to send a letter for publication is to email it. Short concise letters covering only one or two key points are most likely to be printed.
Contact details for media outlets and regulatory bodies
Please find below contact details for the major national radio, television and printed press outlets. Local media attract a large proportion of viewers, listeners and readers and should be contacted too.
All parts of the media are now covered by codes of practice which enable members
of the public to complain about racially offensive media content. The contact
details of the regulatory bodies are listed below the media contacts.
UK BASED NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
The Daily Express
Ludgate House,
245 Blackfriars Rd,
London, SE1 9UX
Website : The Daily Express
Telephone : 020 7928 8000
Email : editor@express.co.uk
The Daily Mail
2 Derry Street,
Kensington,
London, W8 5TT
Website :The
Daily Mail
Telephone : 020 7938 6000
Email : letters@dailymail.co.uk
The Daily Telegraph
1 Canada Square,
London, E14 5DT
Website : The Daily Telegraph
Telephone :| 020 7538 5000
Email :dtletters@telegraph.co.uk
The Economist
25 St. James's Street,
London, SW1A 1HG
Website :The Economist
Telephone : 020 7830 7000
Fax : 020 7930 3092
Email :letters@economist.com
The Evening Standard
Northcliffe House,
2 Derry Street,
London, W8 5EE
Website : The Evening Standard
Telephone : 020 7938 7147/7148
Fax : 0207 937 2648
Email :letters@standard.co.uk
Financial Times
1 Southwark Bridge,
London, SE1 9HL
Website :Financial Times
Telephone : 020 7873 3000
Fax : 020 78735938
Email : letters.editor@ft.com
The Guardian
119 Farringdon Road,
London, EC1R 3ER
Website : The Guardian
Telephone : 020 7278 2332
Fax : 020 7837 4530
Email : editor@guardianunlimited.co.uk
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The Independent
1 Canada Square,
London, E14 5DL
Website : The Independent
Telephone : 020 7005 2000
Fax : 020 7293 2056
Email : newseditor@independent.co.uk
New Statesman
7th Floor Victoria Station House,
191 Victoria Street,
London, SW1E 5NE
Website :New Statesman
Telephone : 020 7828 1232
Email :letters@newstatesman.co.uk
The Observer
119 Farringdon Road,
London, EC1R 3ER
Website :The Observer
Telephone : 020 7278 2332
Fax : 020 7713 4250
Email :editor@observer.co.uk
The Scotsman
Barclay House,
108 Holyrood Rd,
Edinburgh, EH8 8AS
Website :The Scotsman
Telephone : 0131 620 8620
Email :editor@thescotsman.co.uk
Sunday Times
1 Pennington Street,
London, E1 9XN
Website :Sunday
Times
Telephone : 020 7782 5000
Email : letters@sunday-times.co.uk
The Times
1 Pennington Street,
London, E1 9XN
Website : The Times
Telephone : 020 7782 5000
Email : letters@the-times.co.uk |
UK BASED TELEVISION AND RADIO
Complaints about the media
Broadcasting
Ofcom - independent regulator
Ofcom
Riverside House
2a Southwark Bridge Road
London, SE1 9HA
Website : Ofcom
Telephone : 020 7981 3040
Ofcom is the new, single regulatory body for the UK's communications industry. It covers commercial television and radio, as well as telephone services and wireless communications.
When you contact Ofcom, make sure you have details to hand of the name of the programme, the channel it was shown on, and the time it was broadcast.
In most cases, there is a time limit to making a complaint:
• 42 days after transmission for radio programmes; or
• 90 days after transmission for TV programmes, except for cable or satellite
broadcasts, where a 60 day limit applies.
BBC Radio Comments and Complaints
Website : BBC Radio Comments and Complaints
Telephone : 08700 100 222
Postal address: Viewer and Listener Correspondence:
BBC, 4th Floor, Villiers House, The Broadway, Ealing, London W5 2PA
Or Head of Programme Complaint, Complaints Unit, BBC Broadcasting House,
London W1A 1AA.
The Viewer and Listener Information service of the BBC provides a daily summary of comments from listeners and viewers for senior programme makers. The Programme Complaints Unit deals with formal complaints about programmes. If you are not satisfied with its verdict you can take it to the Governors' Programme Complaints Appeals Committee. These services cover both BBC radio and television programmes.
You must include with the complaint the programme title, the channel on which the programme was broadcast, and the transmission date. There is no specific time limit for making a complaint.
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