Political parties fail to provide accessible information, including statements, press conferences, and events being held without interpreters

Location: United Kingdom, London
Date: June 12, 2024

Women Press Freedom strongly supports the National Union of Journalists' (NUJ) call for comprehensive accessibility in election coverage, emphasizing the critical need for inclusive media practices. The exclusion of disabled journalists from political events due to accessibility barriers is unacceptable and undermines the democratic process. Journalists with disabilities bring essential perspectives and insights, particularly on issues affecting the disability community, which are crucial during an election period. Their presence and participation ensure diverse viewpoints are represented, fostering a more inclusive and equitable political discourse. We urge all political parties to implement immediate measures to make their events and materials accessible. This includes providing British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters, ensuring digital content is compatible with screen readers, and offering materials in easy-read formats.

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A trade union representing journalists in the United Kingdom has criticized political parties for making media events inaccessible to journalists with disabilities during the current election campaign.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) issued a statement condemning the lack of accessibility provisions at party conferences, campaign launches, and media events. The union highlighted the absence of British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters at key speeches and the use of policy documents that are not compatible with screen readers.

Women Press Freedom voices strong support for the NUJ's stance, stressing the need for comprehensive accessibility in media practices to ensure diverse perspectives in political discourse.

“Excluding disabled journalists undermines the democratic process,” says Inge Snip, senior editor at Women Press Freedom. “We urge all political parties to implement immediate measures to make their events and materials accessible.”

The union’s call to action follows criticism from various disability charities and community members regarding the political parties' failures to provide accessible information. This includes missing alt text on social media images, inaccessible websites, and a lack of documents in easy-to-read formats for individuals with learning difficulties.

“Since the prime minister’s announcement of the election date, we have seen statements, press conferences, and events. And do you know what? No BSL at any of them,” says Johny Cassidy, vice-chair of the NUJ’s Disabled Members’ Council. “If we want to hold the government accountable, disabled journalists need to be in the room.”

NUJ President Natasha Hirst emphasizes the importance of accessibility, particularly in an election year where issues impacting disabled people, such as social security and the National Health Service (NHS), are high on the agenda.

“Journalists with lived experience of disability play a vital role in analyzing and communicating manifesto pledges,” Hirst said. “(They) counter dehumanizing rhetoric about disabled people that has become all too common recently.”

The accessibility issue for disabled journalists gained prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic when the government faced criticism for not providing BSL interpreters at vital briefings. This trend continues into the current election cycle.

The United Kingdom’s disabled population numbers around 16 million, making up nearly a quarter of the country’s population. As the election approaches, accessibility advocates argue that failing to accommodate disabled journalists and voters could have significant implications at the ballot box.

Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with disabled journalists and calls for their full inclusion in the electoral process, recognizing their vital role in holding power to account. We support the NUJ’s advocacy and echo the demand for systemic change to ensure accessibility is a priority in all media and political practices.

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