Presschange4youth

Last week, Presschange4youth, which is supported by 60 children and young people's organisations including National Children's Bureau, held a press conference outside the Courts of Justice.

The group is calling on the Leveson enquiry to recommend changes to the press code of conduct and the Press Complaints Commission, that will help prevent the negative stereotyping of young people in the media.

The following recommendations have been called for: 

1) 'Age’ to be included as a classification of discrimination into the Editors Code, - which currently reads: The press must avoid prejudicial or pejorative reference to an individual's race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or to any physical or mental illness or disability.

2) Children are a particularly vulnerable group in our society, 'Journalists should exercise a duty of care and avoid negative generalisations about children and young people'.

3) We strongly recommend the Press Complaints Commission is made more accessible to children and young people. For example, the PCC should develop a ‘child and young person friendly’ interface on their website with language that is accessible to children and young people. We also recommend the Code is written in 'Child friendly' language.

4) We recommend the Press Complaints Commission ensures someone within the organisation has trained skills in working directly with children and young people in order to handle their complaints with sensitivity and discretion.

There is an e petition which you can sign to support this. It can be found at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/29003

They also have a Facebook page, find #presschange4youth on Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Presschange4youth/205269782905202

Please visit the Youth Media Agency's website for updates http://www.youthmediaagency.org.uk/campaigns-media-bundles/