We call on UK news organisations and press regulators to strengthen editorial standards so that race, religion, ethnicity, nationality and immigration status are only highlighted in headlines when they are genuinely relevant to understanding the story.

Why this matters

The media plays an essential role in informing the public. However, headlines are often the only part of an article that many people read.

When headlines unnecessarily emphasise characteristics such as a person’s race, religion, ethnicity or immigration status, they can contribute to misunderstanding, social division and prejudice—even when this may not be the intention.

This concern applies equally to all groups and all viewpoints. The same editorial standards should apply regardless of whether those mentioned are British-born, immigrants, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, atheist, Black, White, Asian or any other background.

News reporting should prioritise facts over sensationalism.

We ask that:

Editorial guidelines make clear that protected characteristics should only be included in headlines when directly relevant to understanding the story.
Newspapers explain editorial decisions where wording becomes the subject of widespread public concern.
Press regulators strengthen guidance promoting consistency, fairness and accuracy in headlines.
Journalists receive ongoing training in responsible headline writing that balances public interest with social responsibility.
This is not about censorship.

We fully support freedom of the press and the right of journalists to report important facts.

This petition is about encouraging responsible journalism that informs the public without unnecessarily increasing hostility or division within society.

Our aim is simple:

Inform the public. Treat everyone equally. Reduce unnecessary division.

For example:

✔️ Relevant

“Police investigate anti-Muslim hate crime.”

(Religion is central to the story.)

✔️ Relevant

“Foreign national convicted of immigration fraud.”

(Nationality or immigration status is directly relevant.)

❌ Potentially unnecessary

Mentioning a victim’s religion or immigration status in a headline when it does not help readers understand what happened.

The point isn’t that these details should never be included, it’s that they should only appear when they genuinely help explain the story.