discrimination

Overview

Discrimination and stereotyping occur when press coverage targets individuals or groups through prejudice, caricature, or dehumanising narratives, reinforcing harmful assumptions and social divisions.

These narratives often rely on oversimplification, sensationalism, or coded language.

It is important to protect the freedom of the press to offend, and to criticise different views and beliefs.  However, it is unacceptable for publishers to subject people of a particular gender, race or other characteristic to coverage which is abusive or inaccurate.

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What this harm looks like

Discrimination and stereotyping can include:

• Portrayal of people who share a characteristic in a singular way, and generalises them as threats, burdens, or with another abusive stereotype
• Use of misleading or abusive language; repetition of hateful slurs
• Allowing discriminatory or racist content to flourish in comment sections
  

These practices can legitimise hatred.

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Who is affected

This harm disproportionately affects:

• Minority communities
• Women
• People with a protected characteristic
  

Individuals may be targeted not for their actions, but for their identity or perceived group membership.

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Why accountability fails

Regulatory systems often struggle to address discrimination that is framed as opinion, political debate, or editorial judgement.

There is a difference between coverage which is offensive and may criticise certain faiths and beliefs, and coverage which directs abuse and hatred towards people.  It can be challenging for regulatory bodies to grapple with that distinction, but that does not mean they should not do so.

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Why this matters

Key fact:
When discriminatory and hateful coverage goes unchallenged, it shapes public discourse — making prejudice appear normal, acceptable, or justified.

A free and accountable press must inform and interrogate without dehumanising people, and must be held to account when coverage subjects  communities and individuals to abuse.

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Further reading

• Fictitious daily mail story on ‘migrant-infested’ french suburb receives small correction…6 months later! https://www.hackedoff.org/blog-posts/daily-mail-migrant-french-suburb-small-correction-6-months-later
• IPSO Shirks Responsibility for False Newspaper Stories' Circulation on Extremist Forums: Rebuttal https://www.hackedoff.org/blog-posts/ipso-shirks-responsibility-for-false-newspaper-stories-circulation-on-extremist-forums-rebuttal
• Hacked Off Opinion: The Mail on Sunday Libelled the British Pakistani Community. Why Has IPSO Let Them Get Away With It? https://www.hackedoff.org/blog-posts/the-mail-on-sunday-libelled-the-british-pakistani-community-why-has-ipso-let-them-get-away-with-it
• Press Release: IPSO Finally Uphold Sexism Complaint Against the Sun https://www.hackedoff.org/blog-posts/press-release-ipso-finally-uphold-sexism-complaint-against-the-sun
• How The Press Gets Away With Discrimination https://www.hackedoff.org/blog-posts/how-the-press-gets-away-with-discrimination
• Press Complaints-handler’s Credibility Falls to New Low: IPSO Fails to Find “made-up” Quote Inaccurate https://www.hackedoff.org/blog-posts/press-complaints-handlers-credibility-falls-to-new-low-ipso-fails-to-find-made-up-quote-inaccurate
• The Times Fails to Identify a Single Error in Damning Report Exposing Series of Substantively False Stories About Muslims https://www.hackedoff.org/blog-posts/times-response-to-norfolk-report
• Racism and fake news in the Wild West of newspaper comment sections https://www.hackedoff.org/blog-posts/wildwestofcomments

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Other recurring press harms include:

• Intrusion into Grief & Shock  
• Misrepresentation & Inaccuracy  ‍
• Harassment & Sustained Intrusion
• Phone Hacking
• Trial by Media