David & Goliath
Fawcett Society vs The Sun
@FawcettSociety
Fawcett Society CE and Head of Policy on rally, credit Fawcett Society, taken June 2023
Media misogyny is not acceptable; no woman should ever be the target of sexist reporting. Since it was established in 2014, IPSO had never upheld a complaint about sexism. In 2023, the Fawcett team changed that on behalf of its members and women across the country.
The Campaign
Following The Sun’s publication of Jeremy Clarkson’s toxic and misogynistic column about the Duchess of Sussex, the Fawcett Society devised a campaign to call-out and make news media responsible for the misogyny that so often appears in our newspapers. To do this, they needed the press regulator, IPSO, to take action against The Sun. It was daunting for a small charity, with fewer than ten staff, to go up against one of UK’s best read, commercial news brands, but it was a battle they needed to take on to change the narrative for 51% of the population. Misogyny and hate are not acceptable, and our news media must not be allowed to dress them up as satire or ‘banter’.
@FawcettSociety
Sponsored by
Fawcett Society Team and Trustees at Fawcett’s annual conference, credit Fawcett Society taken September 2023
The Fawcett team is small but mighty and we’re extremely proud that our work has been recognised by SMK– it means a lot to all of us. Campaigning is the lifeblood of Fawcett and we know how important it is as a tool for change. We’re delighted, but it doesn’t stop here. There’s more to be done and we look forward to sharing news of our next successes on behalf of our members and women across the country!”
Jemima Olchawski, Fawcett Society Chief Executive
Fawcett Society Team and Trustees at Fawcett’s annual conference, credit Fawcett Society taken September 2023
The Fawcett team is small but mighty and we’re extremely proud that our work has been recognised by SMK– it means a lot to all of us. Campaigning is the lifeblood of Fawcett and we know how important it is as a tool for change. We’re delighted, but it doesn’t stop here. There’s more to be done and we look forward to sharing news of our next successes on behalf of our members and women across the country!”
Jemima Olchawski, Fawcett Society Chief Executive
The Change
Fawcett’s campaign resulted in an historic victory for women – the first time the press regulator, IPSO, had ever upheld a complaint on the basis of sexism. Despite being small they were bold and their action forced The Sun to be accountable to them, to IPSO, and to the 25,000+ original complainants – including the WILDE Foundation, and to women up and down the country.
Misogyny that normalises violence and coverage that blames women who experience violence have no place in our media, or indeed anywhere in our society. IPSO’s decision will help to elevate the state of public discourse about women and tackle misogyny in our media. It has meant that editors must take note and ensure their processes are fit for purpose in the twenty-first century or they risk facing action from their regulator.
The Future
The Fawcett Society is the UK’s only member-powered organisation working to end sexism and misogyny in all its forms. Their vision is a feminist future where every woman and girl has the power to make her own choices and thrive.
Who else was involved?
Fresh Communication – our PR team
WILDE Foundation also complained to IPSO, their complaint was taken forward by IPSO along with Fawcett’s, we worked together in the latter stages of the process with IPSO.
Fawcett’s letter of complaint to IPSO: https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/fawcett-complaint-to-ipso
Fawcett’s story about the win: https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/news/fawcett-complaint-about-clarkson-column-upheld-on-basis-of-sexism
IPSO’s ruling: https://www.ipso.co.uk/rulings-and-resolution-statements/ruling/?id=18626-22
