Combating anti-Roma stereotypes and prejudices through media

40. The RFOM should consider facilitating training seminars for Roma journalists.41. The ODIHR-CPRSI and the RFOM will organize round tables with journalists on the image thatRoma and Sinti communities have in society.42. The HCNM will continue to elaborate and disseminate guidelines for policy-makers on the use ofthe State broadcast media in multicultural communities, aimed, inter alia, at encouragingsupport for minority broadcasters, including Roma and Sinti broadcasters, and improving theiraccess to the media.Council of Europe Joint Programmes and Initiatives for ROMAThe Council of Europe's main objective is to encourage its members to take a comprehensive approach toRoma issues. This involves three main priorities - protecting minorities, combating racism, anti-Ziganism andintolerance and preventing social exclusion. One of the fundamental principles guiding this approach isparticipation of the communities concerned, through Roma and Travellers representatives and associations.Since 1995, the Committee of Experts on Roma and Travellers (MG-S-ROM) has been tasked with advisingmember states and encouraging international authorities to take action where needed. Its role complementsthat of the Secretary General's Co-ordinator of Activities concerning Roma, responsible for promoting cooperationwith other relevant international organisations and developing working relations with Roma andTravellers issues organisations.A Joint CoE/EC programme was launched for 2008/2009 entitled ‘Enhancing the domestic capacity to devise,implement and monitor National Action Plans for Roma, and countering negative stereotyping faced byRoma people’. Another example of joint CoE/EC programmes on behalf of Roma people is the Dosta!awareness campaign 16 , a collaborative effort with several NGOs to promote a positive image of Romacitizens to combat common stereotypes and prejudices in South-Eastern countries, such as Moldova andUkraine. Moreover, training activities tailored to Roma/non Roma and journalists are being implementedacross Europe in order to make them ‘ambassadors of communication’, raise awareness and spreadknowledge: bringing them together is a key factor to overcome general negative perception.The objective of the Route of Roma Culture and Heritage is to increase the knowledge of people in Europeabout Roma history, culture, values and lifestyle, to encourage the contribution of Roma to Europe’s culturallife and diversity and ultimately contribute to giving a positive value to an image of Roma which are, moreoften than not, perceived in a negative and stereotyped way. To achieve this, the Cultural Route will firstdevelop as a network of organisations (associations, museums, documentation and cultural centres, art andeducation institutions, festivals, etc) which work together towards developing a common set of activities. Asa second stage, the Route will evolve as a series of tourist itineraries across different cities and territories ofEurope, which would allow visitors to gain a more thorough understanding of Roma culture. 1716 http://www.dosta.org/17 http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/culture/routes/roma_EN.asp?19