Hi everyone

Firstly, thank you for all your signatures. We already have over 6500 signs on this petition in 48 hours.

I have since written a complaint to the Daily Mail in three different ways. Thought their formal complaints procedure, a letter to the editor and through the Independent Press Standards Organisation, which the Daily Mail are a member of.

Many of you have been in contact with me telling me that you have done the same. I appreciate anyone who has the energy or capacity to write to the Daily Mail too.

I have already received a response from the Independent Press Standards Organisation who have informed me that the same editorial codes don't apply to the Mail Online as to the Mail in print. I have written back with my concerns and asking for clarification but it seems the IPSO may not be able to intervene.

Looking through the ethical codes from the National Union of Journalists and the Society of Professional journalists highlights the number of standards this article is not adhering to. 

Some examples include 

1. Striving to avoid prejudicial reference to an individual colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or to any physical or mental illness or disability.

2. Clearly distinguish between comment, conjecture and fact.

3. Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage. Use heightened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles. (This article is literally about and has emphasis on chronically ill and disabled teenagers).

4. Strives to ensure that information disseminated is honestly conveyed, accurate and fair.

5. Avoid stereotyping. Journalists should examine the ways in which their values and experiences may shape their reporting.

6. Does the most to correct harmful inaccuracies 

7. Provide context. Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting, previewing or summarising the story.

Highlighting these points will help to structure any complaint you do make and will hopefully help with the procedure.

Thank you also for all your comments and reasons for signing. I have included the link to this petition in the complaints which will hopefully allow those addressing such complaints to see how and why this is so harmful.

It is a sad truth that representation of chronic illness and disability in the media is more often negative and stigmatising rather than positive and relevant.

It is also true that more and more articles like this have been posted recently implying chronic illness is a trend with the growth in social media advocacy.

The narrative is one which is too damaging to go unchecked. With more and more articles like this out there, each being published to sites with millions of readers, slowly but surely public opinion of chronic illness and invisible illness will become inherently negative.

This will mean that seeking healthcare, support and inclusion will become more difficult than ever. 

The media has a lot more power than we sometimes realise. Cultural, social and political opinion is connected in so many ways to the media people consume.

Too often the media is not considerate of that power, and instead used it to create a shocking and often misleading headline to attract views without any consideration of the consequences or stereotypes they are reinforcing. This article is an example.

I truly wish I didn't have to give more attention to the article in order to campaign for its removal and the prevention of similar articles in future. I am also sensitive to the way those included in the article must be feeling.

So I hope that we will be able to get our voices heard and that this campaign will be a success with long term benefit. 

This petition is about fighting against dangerous, stigmatising and incorrect narratives around chronic illnesses, invisible illnesses, disability and those who share their stories. A narrative that has been used as clickbait and stimulation of online hatred for far too long. It's not ok. It needs to stop. 

Should I receive any responses to these complaints I'll be sure to let you know. If any of you complain and receive a response please do keep me and us all posted.

In the meantime, I hope you are all doing as well as possible and thank you again. 

Nia