Exposing bias and reclaiming fair narratives.

Exposing bias and reclaiming fair narratives.

However, misrepresentation, bias, and sensationalism are common in news coverage, fuelling discrimination and public hostility, reinforcing stigma, and justifying harmful policies. Some common patterns in the media include:

• Moral panic narratives, portraying LGBTIQ and gender-diverse people as a “threat” to social or religious values.
• Focus on criminalisation, where LGBTIQ identities are framed as unlawful rather than addressing human rights issues.
• Victim-blaming in cases of violence against LGBTIQ and gender-diverse people, reinforcing the idea that their identities justify discrimination.
• Exclusion of LGBTIQ and gender-diverse voices, where reporting rarely includes actual perspectives from LGBTIQ and gender-diverse people. 
• Misinformation on gender identity and sexuality, often citing unscientific claims or religious rhetoric over expert-backed information.

Holding the media accountable is key to shifting public narratives. JFS tracks, analyses, and responds to media coverage. Our work includes: 

• Identifying and documenting biased reporting to highlight harmful trends.
• Engaging with journalists and media organisations to encourage responsible, ethical storytelling.
• Providing media training and resources to ensure accurate and inclusive reporting.
• Challenging misinformation and promoting factual, rights-based narratives.