Raised Voices launches new media guide to counter refugee, asylum and race disinformation in Northern Ireland

New guidelines designed to assist the media in fair and accurate reporting on asylum seekers, refugees, migration and race in Northern Ireland have been published today to mark Refugee Week (15-21 June 2026).

Reporting on asylum seekers, refugees and migration in Northern Ireland: Guidelines for the Media was compiled by Raised Voices CIC and funded by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland’s Equity in Action Fund. It equips newsrooms with the facts and resources needed to maintain high editorial standards, challenge falsehoods and avoid reinforcing harmful stereotypes.

The document was created with people who have lived experience of the asylum and immigration systems in Northern Ireland, alongside organisations that support them. Local journalists were also consulted.

In Northern Ireland last week’s racist violence, along with that of summers 2024 and 2025, highlight the prejudicial attitudes that exist, and how situations can be exploited by those with a far right agenda. According to recent data published by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), race-hate crimes and incidents have soared to their highest levels since records began in 2004.

This is the first stage of the reporting guidelines project, which Raised Voices is planning to roll out across the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland, along with training for journalists.

Maeve Connolly, co-director of Raised Voices CIC, who has worked as a journalist in Northern Ireland for 25 years, said: “The media plays a crucial role in helping people to understand complex topics and to engage in critical thinking when they encounter misinformation and disinformation in their online and offline lives.

“These guidelines are the result of extensive work with members of Northern Ireland’s asylum seeking, refugee and ethnic minority communities and the organisations who support and advocate for them. They had a clear message for the media - do not frame us as either ‘victim’ or ‘threat’, treat us as members of the community and continue to highlight the positive contribution we make to Northern Ireland. The Participants’ Words section of the document allows members of asylum seeking, refugee and ethnic minority communities to speak directly to the media.

“We also worked closely with journalists to find out what they needed. They asked that the guidelines contain information on the correct terminology, data, the source of up-to-date statistics and information on keeping interviewees safe.”

Róisín Wood, chief executive officer, Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, said: “Accurate and respectful reporting on people seeking asylum, refugees and migration is essential for building understanding within communities, reducing discrimination and avoiding harmful stereotypes to be created.

“By working with migrant and ethnic minority communities to develop this toolkit, Raised Voices is ensuring that those most affected have a voice in shaping that narrative. This project will provide practical guidance for journalists and contribute to a more informed and inclusive media landscape across Northern Ireland.

“We at the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland are proud to support this vital work, and committed to supporting projects promoting equality and inclusion, and amplifying underrepresented voices.”

The guidelines are  free to download and will be distributed directly to news publishers and media organisations across Northern Ireland.