The Australian columnist Sheridan found guilty of unfair language to describe asylum seekers
Australia’s journalism watchdog has upheld a complaint against The Australian’s columnist Greg Sheridan over his use of the term “illegals” to describe asylum seekers arriving in the country by boat. The newspaper also has a further complaint upheld that Sheridan had misrepresented a parliamentary hearing on the issue.
Although the APC has not published the finding on its own website at the time of posting, The Australian has published the adjudication today.
According to the APC, the complaints related to three opinion pieces written by Sheridan – a former foreign editor of the newspaper – late last year and earlier this year. The adjudication states: “In all three articles, there are frequent references to refugees arriving in Australia by boat as ‘illegal immigrants’ and ‘illegals’, and use of the expression ‘illegal immigration’ in respect of their arrival in Australia.”
APC guidelines state: “The descriptor “illegal(s) is very often inaccurate and, because it typically connotes criminality, it is unfair.” The APC recommends journalists use the term “asylum seeker”.
Good on the APC!
I think that’s why it’s called News Limited … limited accuracy, fairness and tolerance.
It is important that the press get this right. If the word illegal is repeated often enough it sticks in people’s minds. Just ask the Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship who, in a recent all staff bulletin mentioning irregular maritime arrivals accidentally used the “illegal” word.