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Tabloids defend asylum coverage Tabloids defend asylum coverage
(20 minutes later)
Newspapers have to publish "robust" stories about asylum-seekers and illegal immigrants because the system is a "shambles", MPs have been told.Newspapers have to publish "robust" stories about asylum-seekers and illegal immigrants because the system is a "shambles", MPs have been told.
Editors of the Daily Express and Daily Mail said it was government policy, not individuals, who were usually targeted.Editors of the Daily Express and Daily Mail said it was government policy, not individuals, who were usually targeted.
Both said they supported asylum-seekers "in genuine need" but that readers were concerned about failures in the system.Both said they supported asylum-seekers "in genuine need" but that readers were concerned about failures in the system.
But Guardian home affairs editor Alan Travis said some tabloid stories were "manifestly false".But Guardian home affairs editor Alan Travis said some tabloid stories were "manifestly false".
The Commons Joint Committee on Human Rights was told the height of the asylum debate was between 2004 and 2005, but now the focus had shifted to migrants from eastern Europe.The Commons Joint Committee on Human Rights was told the height of the asylum debate was between 2004 and 2005, but now the focus had shifted to migrants from eastern Europe.
'Aids' claim'Aids' claim
Mr Travis told MPs immigration had become a synonym for the way some newspapers talked about race. Mr Travis said immigration had become a synonym for the way some newspapers talked about race.
MPs questioned a series of headlines, such as the Daily Express's "Asylum-seekers spreading Aids across Britain". The committee, which is concerned inflammatory news stories might undermine asylum seekers' human rights, questioned a series of headlines, such as the Daily Express's "Asylum-seekers spreading Aids across Britain".
We must be able to be truthful in our headlines what the facts are, palatable or otherwise Peter HillWe must be able to be truthful in our headlines what the facts are, palatable or otherwise Peter Hill
But Express editor Peter Hill said there had been evidence showing an increase in Aids and illnesses like TB which had arrived with immigrants.But Express editor Peter Hill said there had been evidence showing an increase in Aids and illnesses like TB which had arrived with immigrants.
"We must be able to be truthful in our headlines what the facts are, palatable or otherwise," he said."We must be able to be truthful in our headlines what the facts are, palatable or otherwise," he said.
"We can't tailor our headlines to fit news as you would wish it to be.""We can't tailor our headlines to fit news as you would wish it to be."
'An absolute shambles''An absolute shambles'
He said political correctness should not be imposed on newspapers which had a right and duty to use "robust language".He said political correctness should not be imposed on newspapers which had a right and duty to use "robust language".
And he said the failure of recognised parties to address the issue of immigration was fuelling support for extremist parties.And he said the failure of recognised parties to address the issue of immigration was fuelling support for extremist parties.
"The asylum and wider immigration system is a complete shambles. Anybody can walk into the country.""The asylum and wider immigration system is a complete shambles. Anybody can walk into the country."
I think newspapers both fuel that political pressure and fuel that extremism Alan TravisThe GuardianI think newspapers both fuel that political pressure and fuel that extremism Alan TravisThe Guardian
Robin Esser, executive managing editor of the Daily Mail, agreed: "The whole thing is an absolute shambles and a fiasco and this is reflected in the way that some newspapers cover these issues, because it is an issue that greatly troubles the people of this country."Robin Esser, executive managing editor of the Daily Mail, agreed: "The whole thing is an absolute shambles and a fiasco and this is reflected in the way that some newspapers cover these issues, because it is an issue that greatly troubles the people of this country."
He said his newspaper tried not to be inflammatory, and used the guidelines advised by the PCC - although there might be the "odd slip" due to human error, and the pressures of time.He said his newspaper tried not to be inflammatory, and used the guidelines advised by the PCC - although there might be the "odd slip" due to human error, and the pressures of time.
And the Press Complaints Commission said that, considering the huge number of articles published on immigration and asylum, the number of complaints "did not reveal a huge groundswell of concern" about the coverage in the national press.And the Press Complaints Commission said that, considering the huge number of articles published on immigration and asylum, the number of complaints "did not reveal a huge groundswell of concern" about the coverage in the national press.
But Mr Travis said newspapers had a responsibility to explain to readers what was going on and reflect all views, not just "a partial picture".But Mr Travis said newspapers had a responsibility to explain to readers what was going on and reflect all views, not just "a partial picture".
He said over 31 days in 2003, the Daily Express had run front-page stories on asylum 22 times, "based mostly on 'guesstimates' from an unofficial source".He said over 31 days in 2003, the Daily Express had run front-page stories on asylum 22 times, "based mostly on 'guesstimates' from an unofficial source".
"In this situation, I think newspapers both fuel that political pressure and fuel that extremism," he said."In this situation, I think newspapers both fuel that political pressure and fuel that extremism," he said.
He argued that there had been a "complete collapse of meaning" of the term "asylum-seeker", which had become a term of abuse.He argued that there had been a "complete collapse of meaning" of the term "asylum-seeker", which had become a term of abuse.
Some of the "manifestly false" stories that had been published showed it was not a "responsible, grown up, balanced debate", he argued.Some of the "manifestly false" stories that had been published showed it was not a "responsible, grown up, balanced debate", he argued.