StigmaWatch Update July 2012

July 2012

This year is turning out to be a significant year for the media, with changes to media ownership and the restructuring of newsrooms and publications.

With the changes likely to result in staff working across a wider range of syndicated online and print media outlets, it’s important for you to keep a keen eye out for both good and inappropriate references to mental illness. Fewer journalists could well translate into tighter deadlines and less time to research stories and check facts.

In the first six months of this year StigmaWatchers have submitted 113 reports for consideration, with half of these actioned and the media professional or organisation contacted. Please remember to submit Good News Reports, which are just as important as Stigma Reports. It is important we provide positive feedback, where appropriate, which reinforces the message of responsible reporting to the media.

Finally, StigmaWatch has participated in the judging panel for the annual The Mental Health Services Conference Media Awards. Entries in both the print and broadcast categories were of a high standard, demonstrating that when reporting responsibly, the media plays an important role in reducing stigma in the community. Award winners will be announced at the conference in August.

Sincerely

Jeremy Little

StigmaWatch Coordinator

StigmaWatch Reports
	Warner Brothers remove inappropriate language During April, Warner Brothers Movie World was reported to StigmaWatch for promotional material of a rollercoaster ride called ‘Arkham Asylum’. SANE approached the General Manager of Village Roadshow’s Theme Park Division, Bob White, to discuss community concerns regarding the promotion of the ride. Visit the SANE Stigma Files to read Mr White’s response.

		'Schizophrenic' not appropriate for modern art review In February the Australian Design Review was reported to StigmaWatch for an inappropriate reference to ‘schizophrenia’. The publication reviewed an artistic wallpaper, which included overlapping landscape templates printed with inks in red, green, blue and yellow. Sadly the journalist chose ‘schizophrenic’ to describe the vivid multicoloured wallpaper, which created a mixture of images across the restaurant’s walls. The SANE Stigma Files detail how the Australian Design Review responded to StigmaWatch.

Good News Reports
		Red Symons explores voices, stigma and isolation “I don’t normally do this, but I may well have done something actually useful this morning”. This was how ABC 774’s Red Symons concluded his interview with Indigo Daya of Voices Victoria. The interview was nominated to SANE StigmaWatch as a Good News Report for the respectful discussion on the experience of hearing distressing voices. You can read more or listen to the interview by visiting the SANE Good News Files.

		Responsible television reports SANE StigmaWatch contacted the Melbourne newsrooms of Channel 9 and Channel 7 following their responsible reports regarding a Melbourne girl’s death by suicide. SANE discussed the reports with the producers and reporters, noting the appropriate language and vision chosen to report the tragedy. To read more or to watch the Channel 7 story visit the SANE Good News Files.

Do you want to become a StigmaWatcher? Visit sane.org/stigmawatch to register.

https://www.sane.org/get-involved/advocacy/stigmawatch/take-action/join-stigmawatch-1/1125-stigmawatch-update-july-2012

This StigmaWatch Update July 2012 page may be freely downloaded, copied and distributed on condition no change is made to the contents. SANE is not responsible for any actions taken as a result of information or opinions contained in this article.
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