Imogen Radford

Love forests, woods, trees, hedges, rivers, lakes, sea, lidos, allotments, fruit, veg, stained glass, arts, music, health. Want access & funds to these for all

[Imogen Radford @ImogenRadford]

Some bloke in the US met some bloke who identified as trans and is telling some people to boycott Harry Potter. Some people already boycott books and films by JK Rowling because she stands up for women's rights, and some men don't like that. Crazy, hey?

[Janet Murray @jan_murray]

Dear Phoebe,

I read your Observer piece this morning on the reported “exodus” from Girlguiding - and I was genuinely shocked.

Not because you presented a different perspective to my recent Telegraph reporting on the problems within Girlguiding. That’s part of journalism.

But because you chose to include the case of a six-year-old little boy who reportedly tried to cut off his own penis - after being told he couldn't be part of Rainbows (the section of Girlguiding for 5–7 year olds). Presenting it as evidence of a problem with Girlguiding’s admissions policy.

It is not.

It is a deeply distressing account involving a very young child - and, on any view, a serious welfare concern. Framing it otherwise is a profound failure of editorial judgement.

You also refer to this male child throughout using female pronouns, including the phrase “her penis”.

I appreciate this may reflect current editorial conventions. But it sits uneasily with the basic duty of a journalist to report clearly and accurately on material facts.

I was already aware of this case through my own reporting for the Sunday Telegraph. I made a conscious decision not to include it at this stage - both because a minor is involved and because of the ethical considerations that arise when reporting on such sensitive situations.

Those considerations are not optional.

You will know, as I do, that journalism is not simply about presenting competing narratives. It is about establishing facts clearly, handling vulnerable subjects with care and exercising judgement about what should - and should not - be used to advance an argument.

I trained as a journalist in the early 2000s - a good 20 years earlier than you did - but to my knowledge nothing has changed.

Good journalism should bring clarity. It should not muddy the facts - in order to promote an ideological position.

In this context, that means being clear about sex - a material fact that is both legally and practically relevant.

I appreciate you may be under pressure from colleagues or editors to frame stories in a particular way - or to use she/her pronouns, or the phrase “her penis”.

But that doesn’t make it right.

Earlier this week, the Manchester Evening News reported a violent murder as being committed by a woman - one of many examples of inaccurate reporting around sex and gender.

In this case, even the Crown Prosecution Service - the public body responsible for prosecuting criminal cases in England and Wales - also reported the crime inaccurately.

So that’s two professions we should be able to trust to tell the truth - providing inaccurate information.

Crime statistics matter. Without accurate data on who is committing serious violence, we cannot properly understand it - let alone prevent it.

I considered raising this privately, or writing to your editor. But this issue is too important to be brushed aside with a “thank you for your feedback”.

I’m happy to discuss it with you privately, or to support a conversation with your editor if that would be helpful. But I hope this gives you - and your colleagues - serious pause for thought.

Because it is very much needed.

Janet

[Imogen Radford @ImogenRadford]

@BBCNewsNI This landowner really needs to learn about liability and risk – he is not alone but is completely misinformed. This article might be useful to him – he quite frankly does not need to go to such ridiculously extreme lengths – he would not be liable, https://t.co/LMnkZh9oIC

[Imogen Radford @ImogenRadford]

@LoftusSteve What are your comments on the latest drama, Dirty Business? I haven't watched beyond the first five minutes as it was so contrived.

[Steve Loftus @LoftusSteve]

You are being misinformed about the state of English rivers. All the evidence points to vast improvements.

Please watch (now with audio).

[wildflowerhour @wildflower_hour]

Whether it’s a first Lesser Celandine flower of the year or Elder leaves unfurling. The first #WildflowerHour challenge of the year is to spot #SignsOfSpring! Share your finds this Sunday 8-9pm. You can record your #NaturesCalendar sightings here too! https://t.co/BeJKUaO15J…

[Imogen Radford @ImogenRadford]

@NelsonKevan I'm very sorry to hear this news

[Jon Moses @jm0ses]

Full article published today by @theleaduk

https://t.co/KpOUb9GWj2

[Imogen Radford @ImogenRadford]

@WaterWaysProtct @EnvAgencyAnglia ...It appears to be exploiting this worrying pollution incident to make points – but it is jumping the gun and not helpful. Maybe get to know the area and talk to people you know it before posting inflammatory material like this?

[Imogen Radford @ImogenRadford]

@WaterWaysProtct @EnvAgencyAnglia This article is based on a complete misunderstanding of the location. The foam was first seen at Melford Bridge, which is a long way upstream of the Anglian Water outlet. EA is investigating and we don't yet know the source. I'm not clear how helpful this article is....

[Imogen Radford @ImogenRadford]

@WaterWaysProtct @EnvAgencyAnglia ...It appears to be exploiting this worrying pollution incident to make points – but it is jumping the gun and not helpful. Maybe get to know the area and talk to people you know it before posting inflammatory material like this?

[Imogen Radford @ImogenRadford]

@numenini @Britnatureguide @OSBrecks @AquiferChalk @Feargal_Sharkey @OuseEcologyEA @TheBrecksLP @theriverstrust @BuryLung Gas Pool just upstream of Turf Lock and Town Bridge is worth a visit, very popular when hot, though section from above Gas Sluice to Jubilee Fields is variable. Almost guaranteed to see otters there, unfazed by humans nearby!

[Matilda Gosling @matildagosling]

School leaders are being given advice that, if they take it, would cause them to act unlawfully.

But the law is clear. Single-sex toilets, changing rooms and overnight trip accommodation must not be made mixed-sex through misguided attempts at ‘inclusion’.

9/10

[Imogen Radford @ImogenRadford]

This is a sick joke?

[Nick Fletcher @Fletcher4Mayor]

MY FIRST PRIORITY - YOUR SAFETY

We need to clear out the beggars.

As Mayor I will ensure the law is applied. The situation in the town centre is out of control. Like the Wild West at times. It has to stop.

Zero tolerance for beggars, drunks, druggies and any other form of antisocial behaviour. Please remember this: No other candidate even has a Manifesto that deals with this.

Get me elected on 1st May so I can get cracking!

https://t.co/D54grnY6Rn

Nick

[wildflowerhour @wildflower_hour]

Some of our #wildflowers are so incredibly minuscule they are very easy to miss! This week’s challenge is to get your specs 🤓 on & see if you find any #tinyplants in bloom. Share your finds for #WildflowerHour this Sunday 8-9pm! Happy teeny, tiny flower spotting! 🧐🌸🌿

[World Health Organization (WHO) @WHO]

Did you know that if a child with #measles walks into a classroom, every unvaccinated child will most certainly get it? Why are measles cases increasing worldwide? Is the measles vaccine safe & effective? Dr Natasha explains on Science in 5.

[Imogen Radford @ImogenRadford]

Marsh Marigolds, mid Norfolk, Thursday #wildflowerhour

[wildflowerhour @wildflower_hour]

The challenge for this week’s #WildflowerHour is to take a peek at the back of any wild or naturalised bloom you find & check out the #Sepals! Sepals are the green petal-like structure that protects the flower in bud. Share your pics for the magic hour, this Sunday 8-9pm!

[Plantlife @Love_plants]

We're loving Wood Anemone this #WildflowerHour 🌱🤍

⭐They bloom like a galaxy of stars across the forest floor
🌳& are good indicators of ancient woodland

Have you seen any yet? Tips for where to find them here 👉 https://t.co/NFu2sfdto4

📷Jonathan Stone/Beth Newman

[Imogen Radford @ImogenRadford]

Gorse, West Norfolk Friday #wildflowerhour