The British media landscape has witnessed a concerning trend in recent years, marked by an alarming increase in transphobic sentiment. This shift in public attitudes towards the trans community has been closely linked to the hostile coverage of trans individuals by right-wing publications, according to data journalist Ell Folan.
The Changing Face of Media Attitudes
In an unexpected turn of events, the Daily Telegraph, a newspaper once known for its inclusive approach, underwent a dramatic shift in its stance towards the trans community. Back in January 2016, the newspaper featured a series of overwhelmingly positive and inclusive articles about trans individuals. However, today, the Telegraph stands out for its deeply critical coverage.
This change in the Telegraph’s attitude mirrors a broader trend in the British media landscape. Since 2015, the coverage of trans people has expanded significantly, with a staggering average of 154 articles focused on this community published every month. Unfortunately, the majority of these articles have taken on a negative tone.
Media Influence on Public Perception
Two prominent newspapers, the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail, exemplify this concerning trend. Both publications have substantially increased their coverage of trans-related topics since 2015, and this surge has been accompanied by a shift towards more negative reporting.
For instance, in January 2016, the Daily Telegraph published only 10 articles related to trans issues, six of which were positive. Fast forward to January 2023, and the newspaper ran a staggering 75 articles on the same topic, all of which were negative.
Similarly, the Daily Mail, with only 22 articles on trans issues in early 2016, saw its coverage balloon to 115 articles in January 2023, with a striking 100 of them adopting a negative tone.
This surge in negative media coverage has not gone unnoticed in terms of its impact on public opinion. Previously, a majority of British voters supported the statement “a transgender woman is a woman.” However, after years of negative media influence, support dwindled, with only 33 percent agreeing in April 2023, compared to 51 percent in February 2021.
Media’s Role in Shaping Perceptions
The media’s influence on public perceptions cannot be underestimated. Shifts in public opinion regarding trans rights have corresponded with increasing negative media coverage. For example, the perception that allowing trans women to access women’s spaces poses a risk to women rose from 29 percent in December 2018 to 39 percent in May 2022.
In conclusion, the surge in transphobic media coverage in the British press has led to a decline in public support for trans rights. It has also prompted both major political parties to backtrack on their previous commitments to support the trans community. Recognizing the influential role of the media in shaping public opinion, it becomes imperative to challenge and counteract the negative coverage for a more inclusive and accepting society.