Call to end negative representation

Miss Butler – who is also Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Affairs – has tabled an Early Day Motion today (11 July 2007) in the House of Commons.

EDM 1885 "... acknowledges that only a small minority of young people are antisocial; believes that the media does not give young people enough recognition for the positive things they do; and urges Hon. Members to ensure young people's views are represented in public debate by creating opportunities for their input such as holding youth surgeries and visiting schools, colleges and universities."

The motion – which marks the first birthday of a YouthNet and British Youth Council campaign called Respect? – applauds of the work of the two charities whose report to reveal The Voice Behind the Hood in July 2006, showed that over 80% of young people believe the way they are portrayed leads to older people respecting them less.

One year on, both charities are appealing to young people to write to their MPs to urge them to sign the EDM. It commits parliamentarians to incorporate more young people's views into public debate and to challenge the negative representation of young people.

"As a young person, I am concerned by the media's use of stereotypes such as 'yob' and 'hoodie', older people in the community being fearful of me and my friends in light of media stereotypes; and politicians tarring all young people with the same brush," says Mohammed Iqbal, 19. 

Mohammed, a member of the Respect? Young People's Advisory Group added:  "By signing the EDM, MPs will be supporting young people to challenge the degree to which they feel they are misrepresented and supporting a change in our culture where young people are valued not vilified."

Dawn Butler MP said: "In my community work in Brent I see first hand the enthusiasm and positive contribution that the vast majority of young people make. It's long overdue that we had a more balanced representation of young people in the media that recognises their positive achievements and the complexity of their lives. I am glad that as Vice Chair of the Labour Party with responsibility for Youth Affairs to have the opportunity to champion the positive contribution of Britain's  young people and I hope young people will encourage their local MPs to join the campaign."

To support the call to end negative representation visit www.youthnet.org or www.byc.org.uk.

ENDS

Members of the Young People's Advisory Group (aged 16 – 24) are available for interview along with representatives of YouthNet and the BYC.

For further information contact Lucja Wisniewska on tel: 020 7250 5716, 07930 929492 (out of hours) or lucja.wisniewska@youthnet.org.

Notes to editors:

1. A copy of The voice behind the hood: young people's views on anti-social behaviour, the media and older people can be downloaded via www.youthnet.org or www.byc.org.uk

2. YouthNet is a online charity – founded by broadcaster Martyn Lewis in 1995 – which exists to create a socially inclusive environment where all young adults are engaged, informed and inspired to achieve their ambitions and dreams. We actively listen to young people, empower them to speak out and work with them to take action on the issues that they say affect them. We aim to inspire young people, earn their trust and respect and support them with empathy as they seek out their place in the world.

3. YouthNet achieves its vision through two websites; www.do-it.org.uk  - volunteering is made easy; and www.TheSite.org - the first-stop-shop of advice and support for 16-24 year-olds.

4. The British Youth Council (BYC) is the national youth council for young people under the age of 26 in the UK. BYC brings young people together to agree on issues of common concern and encourages them to bring about change through collective action. BYC aims to: provide a voice for young people; promote equality for young people; help young people be more involved in decisions that affect their lives and advance young people's participation in society and civic life.