Deaths on the English channel: the BBC is the subject of criticism for the use of the word “migrant”

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The BBC has been criticized for its use of the word “migrants” in coverage of the Channel tragedy.

According to the Times, one of the people who died in the tragedy was an Afghan who had worked with the British armed forces. It was reported that he and his family took the risk of traveling over the English Channel as they had “waited a long time for help” from the UK government.

There was a wave of grief from activists and charities, who called for urgent responses and changes to current policies – while politicians said a solution had to be found to deal with crisis.

Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon said people were being driven to seek refuge out of “desperation” and “a lack of alternative humanitarian routes”.

READ MORE: Death in the English Channel: Nicola Sturgeon calls for action to prevent further tragedy

“We must work together to ensure that those who seek refuge are protected from exploitation, and not punished or criminalized,” she told Holyrood.

“They need to be rescued, not to be diverted to dangerous waters.”

The prime minister is said to be referring to the interior minister’s plan to make it illegal to cross the Channel without permission and to ask border staff to force boats back into French waters. There are legal concerns as to whether this would be a possible strategy.

Rosella Pagliuchi-Lor, UK representative of the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR, said: “There is an obligation both to save lives at sea and not to put lives in person.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel said the drownings were a “appalling shock” and described the crossings as “absolutely unnecessary” after renewing an offer to send British officers to join beach patrols French during a call with the French Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin. French President Emmanuel Macron has said he is asking “for more help” from the UK.

Brendan O’Hara, MP for Argyll and Bute, called the deaths in the Channel “unspeakable tragedy” – and criticized media reports of the incident.

He said: “Last night I listened to the BBC news at 10 am to get the latest news on this terrible disaster and was absolutely appalled when a newscaster informed me that about 30 migrants had drowned. Migrants do not drown. People are drowning. Men, women and children drown.

“The Secretary of State will join me in asking the BBC News editorial staff and any other media considering using this term to reflect on their use of such dehumanizing language and to grant these poor people the respect they deserve. ”

READ MORE: ‘UK government’s racist anti-refugee bill could spark a race to the bottom’

Priti Patel said: “Even during operations in Afghanistan and Op Pitting, I heard a lot of what sounded frankly inappropriate about the people fleeing.

“So yes, I will.”

The BBC has been contacted for comment.

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