CRC recognises that the media is a powerful means by which to shape public debate and understanding, grow social awareness and promote social justice. On this basis, CRC seeks to cultivate trust, transparency and credibility in our dealings with media.
CRC will contribute to informed public opinion on matters relating to the intersection of criminal justice and social welfare. CRC will support media requests for CRC participation where a narrative is being advanced that seeks to promote understanding, grow social justice and inclusive practices or to reduce discrimination, stigma and shame for people involved in the justice system and their families.
CRC receives regular inquiries and requests from media outlets. Some inquiries are in relation to seeking access to clients and staff involved in CRC programs who have lived experience of incarceration. We work with media only when it is likely that this engagement will benefit the people we support, including CRC clients, staff and the wider community.
For people with lived experience of incarceration, media engagement is always complicated and has lasting consequences, particularly for people in the process of trying to turn their lives around. CRC recognises that sharing a story can be empowering for the person and can grow wider societal understanding.
On the other hand, insensitive and sensationalist media exposure results in real life limitation and perpetuates ongoing disadvantage and negative consequences. For this reason, CRC will not consider supporting media requests that serve to perpetuate negative stereotypes or increase stigma or shame for people with lived experience of incarceration, or their families.
CRC will consider passing on media requests to clients or staff with lived experience of incarceration when:
- We trust that the story seeks to build on narratives of resilience, strengths and agency, rather than to sensationalise or marginalise CRC clients, staff or members of the wider community
- CRC clients or staff, who choose to to participate, including First Nations participants, retain full control over the way in which their story is told
- CRC clients or staff, who choose to participate, are given the opportunity to consent in writing to the use of their story and are free to change their mind at any point if they no longer wish to participate
- CRC clients or staff who choose to participate can decide if their identity is to be made public, or not
- CRC clients and staff who choose to participate have the right to review footage, images, or any other material in which they are depicted, before it is made public in any form, and to accept or refuse any depiction, prior to publication.
- The story is guided by CRCs Language Guide and Vision, Purpose and Values.
For all media requests please contact our main office on 02 9288 8700.
