Local MP backs Youth in the Media Campaign

2.11.04

Edward Davey, Liberal Democrat MP for Kingston and Surbiton, has given his support to Young People Now magazine's Positive Images campaign, which aims to improve the media coverage of young people.

The campaign comes after research by Young People Now and Mori, which found that 71% of press articles about young people are negative. The campaign has also been backed by many prominent youth organizations, including The National Youth Agency, the YMCA, Nacro, the Youth Justice Board, The Children's Society and the UK Youth Parliament.

Local MP, Edward Davey, has added his name to Early Day Motion 1726, which welcomes the Positive Images campaign and calls upon the media to give a much fairer representation of the qualities of young people in the UK.

Commenting, Edward Davey MP, said:

"This campaign is all about ensuring the media presents a more balanced view of young people in this country. The research shows that 71% of press stories about young people are negative, and that almost a third of stories concern crime. This is presents a distorted and inaccurate picture of young people today."

"It is a natural concern that young people will feel marginalised and alienated from society as a result of imbalanced media coverage."

"I fully support this campaign and hope that it will help to raise awareness amongst the media, politicians and the general public. As MPs, we have a responsibility to represent the younger members of our constituency, whose voices are often left unheard."