From Miriam Karmali, Freedom United

We did it! Major national U.K. newspaper, The Telegraph, has issued a correction after it published inaccurate figures on modern slavery claimslast year. We’d had enough of the press misrepresenting modern slavery in their reporting so we decided to do something about it – and won!

Freedom United supporters, together with After Exploitation and Anti-Slavery International, wrote to the U.K.’s independent newspaper regulator, the Independent Press Standards Organization (IPSO), requesting a correction be issued, and they listened![1]

This is significant because IPSO rarely issues these rulings requiring media organizations to correct inaccuracies.

This is testament to what we can achieve together when we call out bad practice. Let’s keep going. Call on media organizations to report on modern slavery with accuracy and dignity.

Write to media organizations!

Why is this so important? Not everyone knows what modern slavery is or what it looks like. Too often, people’s experiences are lost through inaccurate and sensationalized representations in the media. We won’t stand for poor reporting on modern slavery, particularly when governments around the world seems intent on undermining trafficking survivors’ rights.[2] 

Media organizations play a key role in shaping the narratives around slavery through their coverage. That’s why we’re asking if you can call on them to sign up to the My Story, My Dignity pledge today. 

It’s vital that we keep raising the standard for reporting on trafficking and modern slavery in the U.K. and around the world. By taking a stance against inaccurate, sensationalist portrayals of modern slavery, media organizations could be powerful allies in setting a standard for communicating the realities of slavery. 

Send them a message asking if they can sign the My Story, My Dignity pledge today!

In solidarity,

Miriam and the team supporting the Freedom United community

[1] https://www.freedomunited.org/wins/the-telegraph-correction/

[2] https://www.freedomunited.org/news/uk-drops-unlawful-policy/

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