darren_stranger | ha! (Reply)

This one from a NSW refugee advocacy group (but no link):

RACNSW MEDIA RELEASE
19th June, 2004

Australian Refugee Advocates Successful in Media Challenge

A formal complaint against the Sydney Morning Herald for its use of the terms "illegal immigrants" and "illegal entrants" to describe asylum-seekers has been upheld by the Australian Press Council. The complaint was brought by Mira Wroblewski of Central Coast, NSW, and has been supported by a large number of refugee support groups and individuals.

The complaint was initially against the Sydney Morning Herald, but the Australian Press Council has also agreed to formulate general guidelines for Australian press against the use of these terms for asylum seekers and refugees.

Ms Wroblewski is elated at the result and also wishes to acknowledge the very good work done by the Sydney Morning Herald on asylum seeker issues generally.

About the need for general press guidelines, she said

"The term "illegal" is used by the Government to villify these people and to justify their treatment. It is one of a number of fear tactics being used to keep this government in power. I believe that the media should use the more accurate and respectful terms "asylum-seekers" or "refugees" to describe people who come to seek our help. They are not criminals. This has been supported by the Press Council decision"

Ms Wroblewski became involved in refugee support work after visiting Woomera Detention Centre for the first time in 2002. She said "I could not believe how innocent people are being treated in my country. They are not criminals, they have done nothing illegal. Despite this-they are treated worse than people who have done something illegal".