Media Storm

On the 29th April 2021, the Domestic Abuse Bill became law. Many called the Bill 'landmark', or 'transformational'. Others called it discriminatory. Why? Because migrant victims with insecure status have ‘no recourse to public funds’ - meaning they cannot access refuges, income support and other state benefits to help them escape abusers. Meanwhile, 'hostile environment' legislation is used to threaten them into silence. The result? Many migrant victims of abuse are stuck in a catch-22: stay with their abuser, or face destitution and deportation. The bill's shortcomings have been put to the government. But in 2021, an amendment was rejected that would extend protections to all migrant women. Two years on, Media Storm speaks to survivors of immigration abuse, and those still fighting for legal reform, to see the real-life results of this omission. We are joined in the studio by Janey Starling, award-winning feminist activist, writer and co-director of gender justice organisation Level Up, to discuss what the media can do better when reporting on domestic abuse. Janey spearheaded the UK’s first media guidelines on responsibly reporting domestic homicide, which are now backed by all press regulators and multiple newsrooms - find them below!Speakers: Somiya Basar @BasarSomiyaElizabeth Jiménez-Yáñez, Latin American Women's Rights Service @elizajiya @lawrsukNicole Jacobs @CommissionerDADr Hannana Siddiqui, Southall Black Sisters @hannanasiddiqui @SBSistersJaney Starling @janeyjstarling @we_level_up @levelup_ukWith thanks to Heard heard.org.ukIf you are a victim of domestic violence, you can call Refuge for free on 0808 2000 247Sources:Media guidelines for reporting domestic homicide https://www.welevelup.org/active-campaigns/media-guidelines-domestic-abuse/ Safety before Status: The Solutions: https://domesticabusecommissioner.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Safety-before-status-The-Solutions.pdf  UK police referred victims of domestic abuse to immigration authorities https://www.thedetail.tv/articles/uk-police-forces-referred-thousands-of-migrant-victims-of-crime-to-immigration-authoritiesSouthall Black Sisters respond to Domestic Abuse Bill https://southallblacksisters.org.uk/news/the-struggle-continues-sbs-responds-to-gov-rejection-of-amendments-to-protect-migrant-women/ Get in touchFollow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpodor Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpodor Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpodlike us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPodsend us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.comcheck out our website https://mediastormpodcast.comMusic by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Every day in the UK 58 people are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer. 21 will die.Lack of awareness, late referrals and widespread stigma mean people are being denied life-saving diagnoses and treatments. That's why 12th May shall henceforth be known as Get Lippy day! A campaign by The Eve Appeal is determined to get us talking about gynaecological cancer. So in this quick-fix investigation from Media Storm, we meet medical professionals and patients with lessons that could save lives.The episode is hosted by journalist Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall), and features Dr Aziza Sesay (@talkswithdrsesay), Lydia Brain (@lid_jar), Karen Hobbs (@karen_hobbs) and Dr Anita Mitra (@gynaegeek).It was produced by Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) and Mathilda Mallinson. The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire).Learn more: listen to Media Storm’s investigation into men and HPV. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2iib7wHW9jy6GqVvABgHhr?si=yIhbA8ZLTaa3I1f3GqkVOA

Warning: mentions of sexual violence As political polarisation stretches us to breaking point, co-hosts Mathilda and Helena head to the shadowy fringes of society to find out what pushes people to the far-right, and how we can pull them back.For its season launch, Media Storm puts these questions to reformed Neo-Nazis, far-right grooming victims and undercover counter-extremists. We investigate the recruitment tactics of violent terrorists attempting to spread hatred, and uncover proof that mainstream media and politicians may be playing into their hands.The episode features a deep-dive into a terrorist attack that no one remembers… the bombing of a Dover migrant centre late last year, that came with comments by the UK Home Secretary about an “invasion on our southern border”. Dr Rajan Basra unveils the untold story of the radicalisation of Andy Leak: what should’ve been a lesson for us all, but was lost to a 24-hour news cycle.For part two, we're joined in the studio by former neo-Nazi, turned founder of Exit Hate UK, Nigel Bromage, to pick apart what the mainstream media could do better to tackle extremism.Exit Hate UK offers non-judgemental support for individuals & families impacted by far-right extremism. For support please contact info@exithate.orgSpeakers: Julia Ebner @julie_renbeDr Rajan Basra @rajanbasraNigel Bromage @EXITUK1Sources:Media guidelines for reporting on extremism: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-10/ran_reporting_about_violent_extremism_pcve_challenges_journalists_17082021_en.pdfUS press review: https://doi.org/10.1177/0093650220971142Dover fake news story: https://www.euronews.com/2023/04/20/debunk-did-migrants-throw-rocks-to-block-a-road-near-english-channel-crossingHome Office data on ethnicity and grooming gangs, 2020: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf Get in touchFollow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpodor Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpodor Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpodlike us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPodsend us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.comcheck out our website https://mediastormpodcast.comMusic by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Media Storm is back on 4 May! Helena and Mathilda take on the mainstream media and embark on new investigations that put people with lived experience back at the centre of the story.Investigations will take us into the worlds of far-right radicalisation and international freedom fighters, elevate the voices of strikers and domestic abuse survivors, and investigate the problematic worlds of medicinal cannabis and UK policing… and that’s just a taste.Make sure you’ve clicked follow so you don’t miss any releases!Get in touch:• Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod• or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod• or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod• like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod• send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com• check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.comMusic by Samfire @soundofsamfire.

Print is dying. Since the arrival of the internet and fast-paced, free information at the tap of the finger, the news outlets that tell us what’s what have been scrambling to find their footing. Some have been haemorrhaging money for decades, others have become richer than ever. But at what cost?In this special feature to launch our NEXT SEASON, Helena and Mathilda break down the different funding models that make up our mainstream media. They look at the ongoing warfare between ethical interests and economic ones and ask what it really means to be independent in journalism today.We also hear all their plans for the coming new season! Watch. This. Space.

We've been nominated for PODCAST OF THE YEAR at the Visionary Arts Awards 2023! Vote here: https://visionaryarts.org.uk/awards/vote/ From diversity and inclusion, to mental health awareness and the climate crisis, the Visionary Arts Awards showcases that people can create a positive change through arts and culture. So if you think Media Storm has made a social impact, we'd love your vote!Plus, we're working on Series 3! We'll be back with a bonus episode next week explaining what we’ve been up to during our series break, and addressing some of the problems facing the journalism industry in keeping independent, ethical reporting alive and well.Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpodor Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpodor Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpodlike us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPodsend us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.comcheck out our website https://mediastormpodcast.comYour hosts are @mathildamall and @helenawadiaMusic by Samfire @soundofsamfire.Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network