The media are bound by codes of practice and must be held responsible for unfair or distorted portrayals of Muslims. If such narratives go unchallenged, the issue will only worsen.

There is growing interest in reporting on Muslims and Islam, with some media outlets showing a persistent focus on negative stories. It is therefore important to read this guidance and submit formal complaints to the relevant regulator (i.e. IPSO or Ofcom). Without complaints, these outlets will not be held accountable.

It is important to note that when it comes to the BBC under the BBC's Charter and Agreement set by Parliament, complaints about BBC programmes are considered under a system of "BBC First", whereby a viewer or listener must normally complain to the BBC in the first instance and complete the BBC's complaints process before complaining to Ofcom.

The Editorial Guidelines set the BBC's editorial values and standards. The guidelines apply to all BBC content wherever in the world it is broadcast or published. It is important to pay particular attention to the following clauses:

• Impartiality
• Accuracy
• Harm and Offence
• Fairness
• Religious Content

The complaint to the BBC can be made here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact/complaints/make-a-complaint/#/Complaint%20Summary

The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) regulates the UK newspaper, magazine and digital news site. You can check here if the media you wish to complain about is regulated by them.

IPSO has also produced specific guidance for editors and journalists with a framework for considering issues around the reporting of Muslims and Islam. The guidance also includes examples of complaints made and outcomes.

All members regulated by IPSO have agreed to follow our Editors' Code of Practice, which sets the framework for the highest professional standards. The Code of Practice contains 16 clauses and the ones most relevant for Muslims to consider are:

Clause 1 (Accuracy)
The Press, while free to editorialise and campaign, must distinguish clearly between comment, conjecture and fact. They must take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information or images, including headlines not supported by the text. Inaccuracies must be corrected, and where appropriate an apology published.

Clause 2 (Privacy)
Everyone is entitled to respect for their private and family life, home, physical and mental health, and correspondence, including digital communications. It is unacceptable to photograph individuals, without their consent, in public or private places where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. Editors will be expected to justify intrusions into any individual's private life without consent.

Clause (Harassment)
Journalists must not engage in intimidation, harassment or persistent pursuit. They must not persist in questioning, telephoning, pursuing or photographing individuals once asked to desist; nor remain on property when asked to leave and must not follow them. If requested, they must identify themselves and whom they represent.

Clause 12 (Discrimination)
The press must avoid prejudicial or pejorative reference to an individual's race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or to any physical or mental illness or disability. Details of an individual's race, colour, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental illness or disability must be avoided unless genuinely relevant to the story.

The Office of Communications (Ofcom) regulates compliance with rules and policies across broadcast media, including television, radio, fixed-line and mobile telecoms, as well as on-demand services and social media platforms.

A complaint can be made to Ofcom here: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/make-a-complaint

Ofcom has published guidance for broadcasters on the Ofcom Broadcasting Code and particular areas to for Muslims to consider are:

• Harm and offence
• Crime, disorder, hatred and abuse
• Religion
• Due impartiality and due accuracy
• Fairness
• Privacy

Ofcom also publishes decisions about complaints received in the regularly published Broadcast and on Demand Bulletin and publishes a weekly audience complaint report.