Members of the EBU Roma Task Force met in Muska Sobota, Slovenia (12-13 June) to review progress of an EBU-led initiative to help shift negative stereotypes of Roma people with support from public service media.

The conference organized by the Roma community in Murska Sobota discussed the day-to-day challenges Roma media face in serving their communities.

Media professionals from public service broadcasters in Slovenia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Slovakia and the Netherlands brainstormed ways to foster perceptions that could improve the integration of Roma people within central and southeastern Europe and thereby give a voice to one of the biggest minority groups in the Balkans and beyond.

Former EBU Vice President Boris Bergant and Head of the EBU's Partnership Programme Radka Betcheva were present to discuss the practical implementation of public service media values – in particular diversity, and its obligation to give a voice to all members of society.

Obstacles identified by Roma journalists include a shortage of human and financial resources, the prevalence of hate speech online, and the need for greater access to programming through sub-titling.

“Understanding the challenges our colleagues face is imperative if we are to give them the support they need and be a catalyst for change,” Ms Betcheva said. “Editorial training, raising public awareness, and facilitating the exchange of Roma Programmes through the Eurovision News Exchange for South East Europe (ERNO) is beginning to have an impact.”

The preservation and integration of Roma people is part of a broader collaborative initiative by the Council of Europe (CoE); the South East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO); ERNO and other international organizations to support public service media in the EU accession countries.   

In addition to the creation of a ‘Diversity Toolkit,’ the EBU has organized a series of regional conferences and debates.