A workshop that examines how the Press produce Islamophobic headlines and stories,  examples of these and the wider political context of why such stories matter. We will also describe how inaccurate and discriminatory stories can be challenged, despite the ineffectiveness of IPSO.

Isobel Ingham-Barrow is the Head of Policy at MEND and the editor of the report ‘More than Words - Approaching a definition of Islamophobia’. Zeeshan Ali is a Media & Policy analyst at MEND and has written numerous articles reporting on relevant Islamophobic stories for the MEND website.

Anyone with an interest in fair and balanced journalism, and wishes to understand the reasons why Islamopobic headlines are produced, the political purpose they serve, and why the current Government is reluctant to introduce measures such as Leveson 2 to try and tackle such reporting

Open to anyone and everyone, this workshop aims to provide an opportunity to have a relaxed and informal group conversation about S-E-X. There will also be space to laugh (at the act itself - it can be pretty comical, let’s face it), share experiences, anecdotes and advice (if requested) in a respectful and mutually supportive environment. 

Some of Miss Rita’s artist and writer friends have produced new work especially for her. Byline Festival Sex Workshop, and there will be ample opportunity to browse, purchase and consume later at your (p)leisure. 

So, let’s talk about IT! 

Miss Rita has had some sex! It was once said of Miss Rita (by an eminent theatre critic from London’s leading listings magazine) “She simply OOZES sex.

Miss Rita still continues with her own artistic practice following on from the Women’s Pornography Workshops she took part in in the early 1980s, facilitated by photographic artists Rosie Gunn and Grace Lau. 

**While aiming to be completely open and inclusive to all sexual preferences and predilection, Miss Rita asks that workshop participants do not advocate or promote actual physical cruelty or harm to humans or animals. 

While she does understand that personal boundaries/tolerance levels for this sort of thing can vary hugely, Miss Rita does not envisage her Byline Festival Workshop a suitable forum in this instance.