MPs show support for street paper journalism

A cross-section of MPs gathered at Portcullis House at Westminster on Wednesday 24 June, when the International Network of Street Papers (INSP) hosted a special parliamentary drop-in session to gather support for independent journalism as part of the charity’s mission of tackling homelessness and poverty.

Timed to coincide with INSP’s involvement the M20 – the media engagement group championing media freedom and integrity in the run-up to the UK hosting the G20 in 2027 – this event underscores the global movement to reshape how homelessness and poverty are reported, ensuring that lived experiences are at the forefront of policy and public discourse.

Hosted by Martin Rhodes, Labour MP for Glasgow North, all three UK members of INSP – The Big Issue, Big Issue North, and DOPE Magazine – were represented at the Westminster event, provoking lively discussions about the current plight of homelessness and poverty, and ways in which the media can more accurately report on these serious social issues.

INSP is pleased that André Rostant, seller of The Big Issue in London and author of The Muffin Man, was also able to join to explain to MPs the impact that selling the UK street paper has had on his life.

In an age of news avoidance and low trust in media, street paper content – often written by and for marginalised communities – offer something rare: trusted, first-person journalism that challenges stereotypes.

MPs and staffers with diverse portfolios from across the political spectrum were in attendance, showcasing the non-partisan significance of combatting homelessness and poverty.

Mike Findlay-Agnew, Chief Executive of the International Network of Street Papers, comments: “Right now, 14.2 million people in the UK live in poverty – which is one in five people. The issues are not just in this country, however, but worldwide, which is why we are galvanising support from the global street paper movement.

“Street papers often produce a form of activist journalism, putting the lived experiences of people experiencing homelessness at the heart of the narrative. I am grateful to the MPs who were in attendance at our event in Westminster and would appeal to them to continue to take the issues of homelessness, and how it is portrayed, seriously. The UK public overall see negative views about people experiencing homelessness as unfair. Despite this, the media often continues to reinforce stereotypes.

“We are therefore looking for MPs and other decision makers to become advocates and champions of street papers, as well as supporting journalism that accurately reflects the lived realities of people experiencing some of society’s most pressing social issues.”

The event concluded with a call for MPs to support the UK’s hosting of the Global Street Papers Summit in Glasgow this September, where street paper staff from throughout the world will gather to talk about sustainable solutions to the poverty crisis. All three UK street papers will join other members of the INSP’s global network of 92 organisations at the summit.

INSP is looking to continue engagements with MPs at Westminster to build reputation amongst key decision makers, in support of the charity’s mission of alleviating poverty.