In Actual Fact...
As a social security and disability rights campaigner, I cannot even begin to count the number of times I've had to say, "Well, in actual fact...". We've all done it, I'm sure.
Well this week, as the #beddingout campaign ramps up to its' Edinburgh Fringe appearance, they have launched the #InActualFact website and Twitter discussion to raise awareness of the inaccurances surrounding the Social Security debate and trying to ensure that the reality of the cuts being imposed by this Coalition government is exposed.
The InActualFact website says:
As Government and press propaganda about the cuts and benefit claimants continues to skew public opinion towards division and hatred, we urgently need to answer back with the actual facts - shaping public opinion for ourselves, until governments and would-be-governments have no choice but to address the damage they are doing.
In Actual Fact is a collection of actual facts that combat the rhetoric of governments and the press. Each fact is short, memorable and instantly tweetable, providing bite-sized information for users to call on when answering back. All facts are carefully sourced and users are invited to submit additional facts for us to continue expanding the database.
This is a resource to be used and built upon - intuitive one-click activism that is engaging, widely accessible and has the potential to make an impact. Tweet occasionally, tweet daily or tweet multiple times each day. Make In Actual Fact your browser’s home page so that it reminds you.
It’s time to start spreading actual facts and skew public opinion back towards truth.
Every fact on the site is sourced - some with multiple sources - so that accuracy can be maintained. For example, here's a couple of facts from the site:
Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/british-public-wrong-about-nearly-everything-survey-shows-8697821.html
Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/british-public-wrong-about-nearly-everything-survey-shows-8697821.html
It is through initiatives such as this, and the fantastic work by campaigners on social security, disability rights as well as those working to ensure that media across the country, from the BBC to local newspapers, radio and television, are reporting responsibly, accurately and without bias, that I believe we can ensure that the public are made aware of the huge distortions being used.
We must ensure the general public are made aware of these glaring and previously unchallenged skewed statistics and that the debate, and public opinion, is no longer unduly influenced.
Bedding Out is at the Edinburgh Fringe festival on the 9th and 10th August. For more information take a look at their website or follow artist and activist Liz Crow on Twitter @RGPLizCrow. The WOW Campaign is proud to support Bedding Out and you can read more at the WOW blog.
