The government has pledged to work in partnership with the
local newspaper industry as part of a range of measures to
clampdown on sex trafficking.
A meeting between the Newspaper Society, Advertising
Association, ASA and senior government ministers was held last
week.
Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and
Equality, said:
“We had a very constructive meeting with the Newspaper Society
and other industry figures and they absolutely share our concerns
and condemnation of this relatively new phenomenon. The industry is
equally committed to tackling this horrific trade and has promised
to look at the issue and I look forward to working with them in the
future.”
David Newell, director of the Newspaper
Society,said he welcomed the opportunity to meet with
ministers “to discuss how all parties can work together to help
combat the serious problem of human trafficking. We will be
examining the guidance we issue to publishers to ensure it fully
reflects current concerns about trafficking, and will be raising
those concerns with regional and local newspaper
publishers.”
The NS provides legal advice and guidance to members in the
form of Ad Points to Watch, an A-Z of advertising law, and an ad
control advice service. This warns publishers to be wary of
ads, such as for massage parlours, which may disguise sexual
services.
A joint statement was issued following the meeting with
government.