Originally published at: https://decentered.co.uk/a-germs-journey-discussion-never-overlooking-people/
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Over a series of three conversations, a group of practitioners and advocates of community-focussed health and community media are coming together to talk about the challenge of public health messages and information in Leicester. These discussions will explore how Leicester-based community health and communication practitioners have been making use of different media platforms, so that they can assist our often overlooked and under-represented communities.
Our question is:
- How can we give the best care, guidance and information to all the residents of our city?
Our second conversation explores the causes and effect of media marginalisation. We asked why it is that some people are ignored and overlooked in mainstream media communications, both locally and nationally. Our conversation considered if media marginalisation is systematic and structural, for example in relation to access to platforms? Or, if marginalisation is a cultural problem founded on a lack of awareness and understanding leading to a lack of parity of representation?
It’s important that we understand and ask this question: was the lockdown here in Leicester exacerbated because of biased social assumptions? Or, was it exacerbated because of deeper rooted social inequalities? Whatever the reason, healthcare communications during the lockdown clearly failed to recognise the diverse communications needs of many people from different social backgrounds here in Leicester.
Race and ethnicity play a huge part in this, but so does class, faith, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, and many other social characteristics. In this conversation we wanted to consider if communications practitioners are doing enough to understand and address the concerns of people from groups that are regularly overlooked. Our immediate concern is to think through what can be done to change the dynamic of healthcare communications in Leicester?
Joining Rob Watson today are:
Sam Hunt, the daytime station manager of Leicester Community Radio. Dr Marie Nugent, a Public Engagement manager with the University of Leicester.
Jal Kang, Managing Director at Shrinker UK, an online communications company.
Salim Khalifa (Kalifa), Director of Trade Sexual Health.