Media Watch

Media Watch

It’s great to encourage positive coverage about mental health. You can use the congratulations template below to support an author, reporter or publisher for a news item or story.

If you come across media coverage you think is unhelpful or inaccurate, you can use the alternative template to contact the author.

Letting the media know when they have done a good job is validation that everyone should be treated with respect.

Join our Media Watch Facebook page to help increase inclusion and reduce discrimination against those living with mental distress.

• Congratulations letter template

  Date

  Name of recipient
  Job title
  Organisation
  Address

  Kia ora [name],

  I was [reading/watching/listening to] your [state the article or show] that was featured in/on [name of publication] on [add date].

  I was very impressed with the way you reported what can often be a difficult subject to talk or kōrero about. [Explain why the media item impressed you]. Ka pai.

  Coverage like this helps to inform and educate the public and tāngata whai ora about distress in a useful way. This helps to reduce the discrimination often faced by people with experience of distress, something the Like Minds, Like Mine programme has been working to reduce for more than 10 years.

  Mental illness and distress is often reported in a sensationalist way, using tones and language that can cause offence and upset to those living with or distress.

  I will recommend your [article/show] to the Like Minds, Like Mine Media Watch project as a positive example of mental health coverage.
  Thank you once again for producing an informative and constructive piece of mahi about mental illness and distress.

  Ngā mihi nui,

  [sign]

  [your name]

• Constructive complaint letter template

  Date

  Name of recipient
  Job title
  Organisation
  Address

  Kia ora [name],

  I was [reading/watching/listening to] your [state the article/show] that was featured in/on [name of publication] on [date].

  I was concerned by the way mental distress was represented due to [explain what disappointed or concerned you and why this is of concern].

  Half of all New Zealanders are likely to experience mental distress at some point in their lives, so it is vital we talk and kōrero about this topic in an informative and constructive way.

  Discrimination is the biggest barrier to recovery for people with experience of mental distress.

  Coverage such as this only adds to the misconceptions and consequent discrimination towards our tāngata whai ora living with distress.

  I look forward to your response.

  Ngā mihi nui,

  [sign]

  [your name]