Italian journalism is paying more attention to using an appropriate language when reporting on migration. However, there is a growing minority deliberately using incorrect terms with a political agenda, according to the association Carta di Roma.
Italian media outlets are talking more about migrants and using an increasingly correct language, although a growing minority is deliberately using incorrect language to cause controversy and convey political messages, according to the association Carta di Roma. The association deals with the training of journalists and monitors national media on the theme of migration flows.
'More attention but also deliberate use of incorrect terms'
The president of the association, Giovanni Maria Bellu, told ANSA that over the years ''there has been more attention on the language used overall by the media''. This improvement can be attributed to ''training for journalists'' and the increase in reports on immigration, ''up 2-300 percent'', as noted by the association's 2015 report, he said. ''If the talk on immigration before focused on shipwrecks or crime, it has now shifted on other themes, like the economy. This has determined an increase in articles and therefore more familiarity with this issue''.
At the same time, however, Bellu reported an increasing number of ''intended violations'' of the code of conduct by a "minority''. The violations are dictated by ''political choices. A problem of Italian journalism, he continued, is that it is ''connected to the political agenda and the issue of migrants is part of this aspect''.
Rules and sanctions
The Charter of Rome was created in 2008 to regulate the language used by journalists on the issue of migration: ''This is not good advice but a code of deontology whose violation implies sanctions for journalists'', said Bellu. The charter ensures that principles that are key for journalism are also respected when talking about immigration, notably ''reporting the substantial truth of facts''. The charter provides ''for example the appropriate use of juridical terms and the guarantee of the anonymity of asylum seekers''.
The association Carta di Roma was created in 2011 after the code to ensure the implementation of its rules. So far, only some 20 journalists have reportedly violated the code and sanction procedures have been started ''only in serious cases'', said Bellu.The association, which unites the press, government and organizations like UNHCR and IOM raises awareness and trains Italian journalists to use a correct language.''It is a laboratory to discuss a theme that is constantly evolving. We know that the problem can't be solved with sanctions but through constant activity, with attention and care."