Bulletin No 27, 4 September 2000
Refugee Paper
Refugees planning to set up their own newspaper have turned to the RAM Project for help. Half a dozen London-based refugee journalists are seeking funding to launch a newspaper to counter the appalling coverage in the mainstream UK media. The refugees want help in building on their media skills, researching the market and identifying possible sources of funding.
The journalists are keen to set up a newspaper, but are also interested in the use of websites to spread information. They want to hear from other refugee journalists from around the UK.
Seminar makes news
A media-awareness seminar for refugee and asylum-seeker organisations in Leicester managed to attract positive radio and television coverage. RAM ran the half-day session for around 50 people, and it was covered by a BBC TV regional news team.
A reporter from BBC Radio Leicester also turned up and filled her notebook with contacts and possible stories which she plans to use. Says RAM co-ordinator Terry Williams: “These awareness events are all about giving people the confidence and skills to make the best use of media opportunities. People attending the Leicester event were able to see at first hand how it is possible to get positive media coverage through working with journalists.”
Media skills help
Welsh refugee and asylum seekers and support organisations are being offered free media training in Cardiff on 25 September. RAM co-ordinator Terry Williams will run the day-long event at the Cardiff School of Journalism. If you would like more information, contact PressWise on pw@presswise.org.uk
TUC spotlight on refugees
A fringe meeting on media coverage of refugees and asylum seekers will take place at the annual TUC conference in Glasgow next week. RAM is one of three organisations running the event on 11 September – the first day of the conference at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre. The Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom and the Scottish Refugee Council have linked with RAM to run the lunchtime event, which will be chaired by a senior figure from the National Union of Journalists.
Speakers are RAM organiser Terry Williams, Scottish Refugee Council chief executive Sally Daghlian, and Free Press editor Granville Williams. Says Terry Williams: “Trade unionists have a proud tradition of fighting racism and a number of union leaders have already warned that attacks by the media and politicians on asylum seekers are increasing racial tension. We need to form an alliance to resist the growing levels of racism faced by refugees and asylum seekers in the UK.”