[A-List] UK news media: The Sun

["Michael Keaney" <michael.keaney@xxxxxx>]

This latest disgusting episode in a long list of disgusting episodes
deserves close attention. Any UK listers better placed to get more info on
this as it unfolds are welcome to post on this here.

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Gypsy groups report the Sun to the police

Patrick Barkham
Thursday March 10, 2005
The Guardian

Gypsy groups reported the Sun to the police and the Press Complaints
Commission yesterday, claiming that its new campaign against Traveller camps
was an incitement to racial hatred.

Their leaders made formal complaints to the Hampshire and Sussex police, and
communities spoke of the fear and intimidation caused by the tabloid
declaring "war on gipsy [sic] free-for-all", under the headline "Stamp on
the camps".

A woman living on a site in Kent was so worried by the Sun's attitude that
she contacted the police yesterday and asked for their protection. Other
Gypsies said their children were frightened when they read headlines
apparently declaring "war" on them.

The Sun's campaign, which has had wide support from readers, warned of a
"gipsy invasion". It responds to the government's instruction to local
authorities to take account of resident Traveller populations when they draw
up their housing plans, and identify land which Travellers can buy and
develop.

John Prescott, the deputy prime minister, has also given local authorities
enhanced "stop" powers to halt unauthorised camps, in an effort to reduce
the tension between settled communities and those occupying temporary sites.

Len Smith of the British Committee on Romany Emancipation made a formal
complaint and statement to Hampshire police, who said they would refer it to
the Metropolitan police.

Andrew Ryder of the Gypsy and Traveller Law Reform Coalition lodged an
objection with the Press Complaints Commission.