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02 MAY 2014
TENI Publish New Media Style Guidelines
Today (2nd May) Transgender Equality Network Ireland have published new media style guidelines to help promote positive and respectful reporting on transgender people and on trans* related issues.
Stories involving trans* people are often sensationalised and contribute to negative stereotypes about the trans* community. In TENI’s 2013 report, Speaking from the Margins: Trans Mental Health and Wellbeing in Ireland, 40% of participants reported that media representation of trans* people had negatively affected their emotional wellbeing or mental health.
These new guidelines aim at helping journalists and media professionals bring about positive change by using language that is respectful and that protects the privacy and dignity of trans* people.
The aim is to encourage respectful – not sensational – reporting on trans* people and communities, and to help people feel more comfortable around the language to use when reporting on trans* issues.
The guidelines are available to download here.
Inside the guidelines you'll find:
The guidelines contain a useful glossary of terms, as well as providing examples of good and bad practice. Examples are used to illustrate correct usage, and to help make the appropriate terminology clear.
The guidelines also contain these '6 Simple Rules':
1 Respect the individual’s wishes around their portrayal in the media (e.g. pronouns, names, etc.).
2 Refer to someone’s trans identity only when it is relevant to the story.
3 Allow a trans person’s medical history, anatomical makeup or genitals to remain confidential. These details are most likely not relevant to the story.
4 Leave history in the past. Reference somebody’s previous name only if it is relevant to the story and if they have given their permission.
5 Take extreme care in dealing with subjects involving trans or gender variant children. Like all young people, they need to be protected and are a particularly vulnerable minority group.
6 Remember that sexual orientation and gender identity are separate characteristics. Trans people can be gay, straight, bisexual or asexual.
For more information:
Please contact TENI at:
email: office@teni.ie
phone: (01) 873 3575
About TENI:
Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) seeks to improve conditions and advance the rights and equality of trans people and their families.
www.teni.ie
Shortcut http://www.teni.ie/teni_publish_new_media_style_guidelines