Communities and Local Government
A selection of images representing communities.
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- Communities and neighbourhoods
- Race, cohesion and faith
- Community Cohesion
- Combating misinformation
Combating misinformation about minority ethnic groups
Myths, rumours and misinformation surrounding the arrival of new migrants and minority ethnic groups such as Gypsies and Travellers can be hard to rebut and a great deal of incorrect information surrounds controversial issues to do with:
- Employment
- Housing
- Health
- Gypsies and Travellers
The information in these pages contains a number of facts which can be used by local authority frontline staff to discredit many popular myths as well as being provided to councillors and candidates when impartial information is required.
It is a challenge for councils to find ways in which they can communicate positive and factual messages in an impartial way. However, the following information offers good advice as to how local authorities can be proactive in promoting good race relations to the local public.
The code of recommended practice, which regulates local authority publicity, does not prevent councils, while exercising proper caution, from providing accurate and impartial information during an election campaign, without making reference to a particular political campaign. It may in fact be necessary to take action to counter rumours, myths and misinformation during the election campaign, for example, where election materials contains misinformation about the area, or services provided by the council, that is considered likely to have an impact on community cohesion during the run-up to or following the election.
Local authorities have a duty to proactively promote good race relations, regardless of whether it is an election period. Councils also have a general duty to promote race equality under the Race Relations Act. Therefore, communications during election periods, and long-term communications strategies in general, need to take this issue on board as a matter of urgency. Further information is available below.
In this section
- What can councils do about unfounded myths and rumours that are likely to impact badly on community cohesion and cause conflict?
- Facts about Gypsies and Travellers
Related publications
-
Reporting Diversity
- Published: 21 October 2005
- Site: Communities and neighbourhoods
