ARE statement on the media coverage of Professor Jason Arday

There is an urgent need to both publicly support Professor Arday and to call on media outlets to review how they are covering this matter.

Action for Race Equality (ARE) stands alongside Professor Jason Arday and with all Black scholars and professionals who experience racialised and disproportionate public scrutiny.

While Professor Arday has been officially cleared of wrongdoing by his university, the continued intensity and framing of media coverage highlights the unequal standards too often applied to Black public figures.

This practice does more than undermine individual achievement; the importance of positive Black male role models for our young people cannot be underestimated. Jason was one of ARE’s Routes2Success first Role Models and is remembered fondly, and his later achievements are viewed with great satisfaction and pride. 

Such media coverage reinforces the systemic racism that continues to shape experiences across academia, the media and wider society.

We call out discriminatory reporting, champion fairness and accountability, and support the creation of environments where Black excellence is recognised without suspicion.

Finally, we call on news outlets to report responsibly and to avoid perpetuating the racial bias and unequal standards often applied to Black public figures.

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