MEDIA, ADVERTISING AND EATING DISORDERS

Early day motion 151, tabled 3 June 2010 by Jo Swinson (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 29 members.

That this House notes that 1.6 million people in the UK are affected by eating disorders; further notes that an increasing body of research indicates that the media has a role in providing a social context for both the development and maintenance of eating disorders; further notes that the Royal College of Psychiatrists suggests that the irresponsible use of digital enhancement or airbrushing is one aspect of this problem; urges the Government to establish a forum for the development of an editorial ethical code regarding the media's portrayal of body critical issues and the Committee on Advertising Practice to introduce a kitemark scheme to declare the extent to which digital retouching technology has been used to create overly-perfected and unrealistic images of women and men, as suggested by the Royal College; and supports the promotion of media literacy within schools as outlined by the eating disorders charity Beat in its new manifesto.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 12, Labour 7, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Conservative 2, Plaid Cymru 2, DUP 1, Green 1, Independent 1.