A few weeks ago I wrote about having a plan B for maintaining contact with our naturist connections should the various social media sites that naturists use turn their backs on our philosophy. One response to my blog, from Peter Stokes suggested that much of the reporting regarding nudity and naturism focuses on the negative or the sensational rather than the ordinary. Peter asserted that naturists’ fears for the future of the movement may be somewhat overdone. To support his comments, he provided links and information on several positive reports with no negative or salacious writing.
As the saying goes, if it bleeds it leads. What attracts readers or viewers, and therefore advertising, is unlikely to be non-sexual nudity. While the articles pop up here and again, usually nudism/naturism stories are filled with innuendo and punchlines. Proving a counter via comments on the negative stories, celebrating the good stories, sharing positive news, encouraging more balanced news are all steps we can take to help change the narrative. Sadly, I think it’s akin to yelling into the wind — Not sure anyone can hear us.
a good article which compels to think about the way of reporting the naturism news in the mainstream media. Instead of having separate news letters from every naturism organisations, can international naturism organisation publish a single however in detail daily news letter or weekly news letter covering the entire naturism fraternity. However i exactly don't know as to whether it will be feasible & will it really resolve the concern we had.
Good point. The only time "News" says anything about naked people is to report something negative. A thousand people being seen around town naked with people enjoying the view is not "news." One naked person being arrested for breaking and entering someone's home is "NEWS." That makes the "New" very distorted.
I am sure America and Canada and England and Ireland and Scotland and Wales and Mainland Europe and of course Your side of the gap and Mine could get More Mainstream Nudist/Naturist coverage if we could get more Mainstream Naturist Journalists and Publishers.
Again, some very good points, Steve. If it's any consolation, negative reporting in the media permeates all aspects of life - not just naturism. Just scan today's issue of the Waikato Times and you'll notice the bad news stories far outnumber the good. As you indicated, bad news and sensationalism sells papers.
It's true that the vast majority of positive stories on naturism or other clothes-free happenings are from overseas, rather than local. There could be a number of reasons for that; New Zealand has had a particularly lousy summer, weather-wise, and now into winter. And New Zealand is a relatively small player when it comes to world news anyway.
However, it's not all been bad. The NZ Herald and Bay of Plenty Times have printed positive and well-written stories, such as coverage of the World Naked Bike Ride at Waihi Beach, and folks like Alice Law have been featured on TV and radio promoting the benefits of spending time clothes-free.
It's true that I share your disappointment, Steve, when I read stories in the papers about incidents of indecent behaviour that muddies the waters for genuine clothes-free activities. However, I'm probably not as pessimistic with regard to overall public perception of nudity. For example, when State Highway 25a was slip-damaged during the summer rains, I was forced to use a local beach near Kaiaua in the Hauraki Gulf, rather than the ocean beach at Opoutere. I went skinny dipping there many times, both alone and with friends, and there was never a bad reaction to us being naked. The stretch of beach at Ray's Rest is a very popular freedom camping site and always has many campervans present. It is also on the Hauraki Rail Trail where I also cycle without clothing. In my experience, the general public are largely nonchalant when it comes to public nudity. Having said that, there may be regional differences in attitudes, however.
Who is responsible for sending positive stories to the media? While the NZNF have been approached by the media for comment on the odd occasion, they don't appear to have much interest in anything outside of their affiliated clubs. I suspect the vast majority of people who belong to landed clubs regard naturism as a hobby, pastime, or special-interest activity that allows them to take their clothes off within the safety of tall hedges and security gates, rather than an every-day lifestyle that regards clothing as a matter of choice and public nudity as a human right worth promoting and fighting for in society at large. So I don't expect much to come from that quarter. As you said, it behoves all of us to become more active in promoting clothes-optional living by sending material to the media.
There certainly seems a groundswell against tolerance in general. Whether that is the case or the media reporting just gives that impression I'm unsure. As some of you know I live a largely naturist lifestyle and have continued to do so (as is my right) despite the odd comment and complaint over the years. As my lifestyle choice has become more widely known locally, I get the impression that the number of negative comments has reduced. Certainly the police inspector who lives round the corner made it emphatically cleat that she was not telling me to stop doing it. I subsequently shared with he the police guidance from the uk which has been circulated unaltered to nz police stations.
Thus, I think we need to walk out of the shadows which, while possibly reducing comments gives the impression something nefarious is going on, into more general society. This will indicate we are merely living a normal life but just choose to do so naked. The fact we are there and more visible will just in itself reduce the barriers between us and the majority of textiles
If you haven't used Mastodon it might be worth checking it out as a replacement for Twitter. There are many "instances" of Mastodon and many are naturist friendly.
It is hard to make blanket positive statements because globally things are different. Seems Europeans and the UK have the most positives going. In general the US landscape seems more negative. What I think is a mistake is painting a rosy picture not based on reality. Authentic expression of what is going well and what is not is important to engaging non naturist people and inspiring existing naturist to greater participation and action.
Here are two stories curated by our new editor, offered as examples. One come from the UK and one from the US
Another news report about nude sunbathing
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-12138899/Woman-appears-NAKED-GMB-argues-nude-sun-bathing-public-not-offensive.html
Although the naked lady made a spirited defence I fear in this case she was outnumbered by bias.
As the saying goes, if it bleeds it leads. What attracts readers or viewers, and therefore advertising, is unlikely to be non-sexual nudity. While the articles pop up here and again, usually nudism/naturism stories are filled with innuendo and punchlines. Proving a counter via comments on the negative stories, celebrating the good stories, sharing positive news, encouraging more balanced news are all steps we can take to help change the narrative. Sadly, I think it’s akin to yelling into the wind — Not sure anyone can hear us.
a good article which compels to think about the way of reporting the naturism news in the mainstream media. Instead of having separate news letters from every naturism organisations, can international naturism organisation publish a single however in detail daily news letter or weekly news letter covering the entire naturism fraternity. However i exactly don't know as to whether it will be feasible & will it really resolve the concern we had.
Good point. The only time "News" says anything about naked people is to report something negative. A thousand people being seen around town naked with people enjoying the view is not "news." One naked person being arrested for breaking and entering someone's home is "NEWS." That makes the "New" very distorted.
I am sure America and Canada and England and Ireland and Scotland and Wales and Mainland Europe and of course Your side of the gap and Mine could get More Mainstream Nudist/Naturist coverage if we could get more Mainstream Naturist Journalists and Publishers.
Thankyou for another great article.
Again, some very good points, Steve. If it's any consolation, negative reporting in the media permeates all aspects of life - not just naturism. Just scan today's issue of the Waikato Times and you'll notice the bad news stories far outnumber the good. As you indicated, bad news and sensationalism sells papers.
It's true that the vast majority of positive stories on naturism or other clothes-free happenings are from overseas, rather than local. There could be a number of reasons for that; New Zealand has had a particularly lousy summer, weather-wise, and now into winter. And New Zealand is a relatively small player when it comes to world news anyway.
However, it's not all been bad. The NZ Herald and Bay of Plenty Times have printed positive and well-written stories, such as coverage of the World Naked Bike Ride at Waihi Beach, and folks like Alice Law have been featured on TV and radio promoting the benefits of spending time clothes-free.
It's true that I share your disappointment, Steve, when I read stories in the papers about incidents of indecent behaviour that muddies the waters for genuine clothes-free activities. However, I'm probably not as pessimistic with regard to overall public perception of nudity. For example, when State Highway 25a was slip-damaged during the summer rains, I was forced to use a local beach near Kaiaua in the Hauraki Gulf, rather than the ocean beach at Opoutere. I went skinny dipping there many times, both alone and with friends, and there was never a bad reaction to us being naked. The stretch of beach at Ray's Rest is a very popular freedom camping site and always has many campervans present. It is also on the Hauraki Rail Trail where I also cycle without clothing. In my experience, the general public are largely nonchalant when it comes to public nudity. Having said that, there may be regional differences in attitudes, however.
Who is responsible for sending positive stories to the media? While the NZNF have been approached by the media for comment on the odd occasion, they don't appear to have much interest in anything outside of their affiliated clubs. I suspect the vast majority of people who belong to landed clubs regard naturism as a hobby, pastime, or special-interest activity that allows them to take their clothes off within the safety of tall hedges and security gates, rather than an every-day lifestyle that regards clothing as a matter of choice and public nudity as a human right worth promoting and fighting for in society at large. So I don't expect much to come from that quarter. As you said, it behoves all of us to become more active in promoting clothes-optional living by sending material to the media.
There certainly seems a groundswell against tolerance in general. Whether that is the case or the media reporting just gives that impression I'm unsure. As some of you know I live a largely naturist lifestyle and have continued to do so (as is my right) despite the odd comment and complaint over the years. As my lifestyle choice has become more widely known locally, I get the impression that the number of negative comments has reduced. Certainly the police inspector who lives round the corner made it emphatically cleat that she was not telling me to stop doing it. I subsequently shared with he the police guidance from the uk which has been circulated unaltered to nz police stations.
Thus, I think we need to walk out of the shadows which, while possibly reducing comments gives the impression something nefarious is going on, into more general society. This will indicate we are merely living a normal life but just choose to do so naked. The fact we are there and more visible will just in itself reduce the barriers between us and the majority of textiles
This one comes up on a search: https://body.social/about but there are probably others if you wanted one with a larger number of subscribers.
If you haven't used Mastodon it might be worth checking it out as a replacement for Twitter. There are many "instances" of Mastodon and many are naturist friendly.
It is hard to make blanket positive statements because globally things are different. Seems Europeans and the UK have the most positives going. In general the US landscape seems more negative. What I think is a mistake is painting a rosy picture not based on reality. Authentic expression of what is going well and what is not is important to engaging non naturist people and inspiring existing naturist to greater participation and action.
Here are two stories curated by our new editor, offered as examples. One come from the UK and one from the US
https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/naked-man-arrested-in-hastings-by-off-duty-met-police-officer-is-de-arrested-after-sussex-police-intervene-4145670
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2023/05/15/outdoors/naked-hiking-laura-casey-maine-joam40zk0w