Combating anti-Roma stereotypes and prejudices through media
Combating anti-Roma stereotypes and prejudices through media Combating anti-Roma stereotypes and prejudices through media
Strengthening ethics in the mediaIn the current rapidly expanding global environment of movement, mobility, and change, Europeansincreasingly carry diverse and multiple identities and expect and deserve to be present and representedfairly and sensibly in the public sphere in political, social or cultural matters. In this regard media play acrucial role as do institutions and civil society itself.However the current social, economic and cultural realities in Europe, according to political analysts, areexacerbating the discrimination of certain vulnerable or minority groups. Increasing politicisation and groupconsciousness, as well as unequal wealth distribution, and the current sharp economic shocks are allcontributing factors to the worsening position of these groups in political and media debates.The current crisis and coming challenges can only be met if society recognises and embraces its owndiversity. This brings up the issue of conscientious journalism; the responsibility of journalists to report in amanner that, in the long run, will contribute to social inclusion of minorities and the elimination of racism. Tosucceed is more the task of the majority: an open social climate, which media can help to create, is theprime condition for successful anti-discrimination.Roma News CoverageExamples of the dramatic consequences of the role of the media in ethnic and religious discrimination arewell documented. They reminds us of the role and responsibility of the media and of the need for a wide andin depth reflection on how the representation of diversity in the public sphere impacts the European society.Nevertheless, many policy makers strongly believe that media are crucial in combating discriminations.The previous UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan stated during his term that: “By giving voice and visibility toall people – including and especially the poor, the marginalised and members of minorities – the media canhelp remedy the inequalities, the corruption, the ethnic tensions and the fundamental rights abuses thatform the root causes of so many conflicts.”News stories, far from being a pure reflection of reality, constitute a construction of society as defined bycriteria of ‘newsworthiness’. From the amount of events happening everyday, only a tiny number arereported. The events that are likely to be selected are the ones most compatible with a set of news valueswhich journalists bring to their work. The process of selection enables journalists to organize events intoframes or well known patterns which render the event intelligible to the reader as a piece of hard news.But, as seen previously, those who write and speak of Roma often do not know them, and therefore do notoften present a complete or balanced picture. Those writing about them do not always belong to their25
communities, leading this to misleading concepts and inaccurate information. Often those who report aboutRoma nor have access to reliable and direct sources, neither involve Roma in their work.If not moved by accuracy and sense of respect, media risk to strengthen prejudices and confirm stereotypesboosting the sense of hostility and diffidence already present in our societies towards vulnerable andemarginated groups. Sensationalist reporting may help sell papers but it has contributed to an increasinglyfearful climate between communities. It is necessary that media professionals are aware of their specialresponsibility in shaping the social image of the Roma community.Codes of ConductThe term ethical journalism is highly relevant in this context. Reporters and editors can contribute to a bettersociety through genuine professionalism. Ethical journalists serve the public’s right to know. They areprofessional also in the sense that they seek the truth and resist the pressure to convey distortions, be theyfrom media owners, business interests or political forces. These are the ethics which should be promoted.Within this framework of social responsibility a series of self-regulation mechanisms of journalism as codes,ethical conduct, professional statutes, agreements, manuals or books have been adopted. These tools aim tocollect main ethical principles guide the practice of the profession.Although codes vary from country to country reflecting different sensitivities and traditions (more than 400versions exist), there are certain elements which are universal and recognised by all journalists – that is acommitment to the truth and accuracy, to independence and fairness, and to minimise harm.The Declaration of Principles on the Conduct of Journalists agreed in 1954 at the International Federation ofJournalists Congress in Bordeaux in France is an inclusive and mercifully brief statement about ethics injournalism reflecting universal values.This code embraces all of the key values and aspirations of journalism. It has been endorsed by unions andassociations of journalists coming from vastly different cultures and traditions and under a global standardfor media quality. The code calls for respect for truth, ethical expression of fair comment and criticism andthe correction of errors; it warns journalists to use fair methods to obtain news; to uphold professionalsecrecy as a cardinal principle and to recognise the danger of discrimination being furthered by media.FocusThe Charter of Rome. The National Council of Journalists and the Federation of the Italian Press, inagreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), have endorsed the Charter ofRome (Conduct Protocol on asylum seekers, refugees, victims of trafficking and migrants) to promotegreater awareness on issues and subjects related to information concerning immigration. Although notdirectly addressed to Roma people, the guidelines highlight crucial principles such as: the need to supportresponsible information, far from superficial and incorrect behaviour and the dissemination of misleading,generalized, inaccurate news. The utmost prudence should be guaranteed in eluding the use of terms whichcould cause unwarranted alarmism and weakening of the credibility of professional journalists. The Charterof Rome reaffirms the duty to provide the public with accurate information, not omitting to explain, thecauses of phenomena, appealing to the contribution of experts and bodies working in this field.26
- Page 2 and 3: Combating anti-Roma Prejudicesand S
- Page 4: SummaryForeword (by Aidan White)Pre
- Page 7 and 8: people uncertain and create anxiety
- Page 10 and 11: Preface“Prejudice is a great time
- Page 12 and 13: IntroductionFor the purpose of this
- Page 14 and 15: Part OneRoma Anti-Discrimination an
- Page 16 and 17: (especially towards the most vulner
- Page 18 and 19: Media in the International ContextI
- Page 20: 40. The RFOM should consider facili
- Page 23 and 24: Overcoming anti-Roma discourseThe h
- Page 25: Discrimination refers to the conseq
- Page 29 and 30: months later, too late to have an i
- Page 31 and 32: All journalists should step back fr
- Page 33 and 34: Ethnic media are playing an increas
- Page 35 and 36: 10 Simple Rules to tell Roma Storie
- Page 37 and 38: ReferencesAmnesty International (20
communities, leading this to misleading concepts <strong>and</strong> inaccurate information. Often those who report about<strong>Roma</strong> nor have access to reliable <strong>and</strong> direct sources, neither involve <strong>Roma</strong> in their work.If not moved by accuracy <strong>and</strong> sense of respect, <strong>media</strong> risk to strengthen <strong>prejudices</strong> <strong>and</strong> confirm <strong>stereotypes</strong>boosting the sense of hostility <strong>and</strong> diffidence already present in our societies towards vulnerable <strong>and</strong>emarginated groups. Sensationalist reporting may help sell papers but it has contributed to an increasinglyfearful climate between communities. It is necessary that <strong>media</strong> professionals are aware of their specialresponsibility in shaping the social image of the <strong>Roma</strong> community.Codes of ConductThe term ethical journalism is highly relevant in this context. Reporters <strong>and</strong> editors can contribute to a bettersociety <strong>through</strong> genuine professionalism. Ethical journalists serve the public’s right to know. They areprofessional also in the sense that they seek the truth <strong>and</strong> resist the pressure to convey distortions, be theyfrom <strong>media</strong> owners, business interests or political forces. These are the ethics which should be promoted.Within this framework of social responsibility a series of self-regulation mechanisms of journalism as codes,ethical conduct, professional statutes, agreements, manuals or books have been adopted. These tools aim tocollect main ethical principles guide the practice of the profession.Although codes vary from country to country reflecting different sensitivities <strong>and</strong> traditions (more than 400versions exist), there are certain elements which are universal <strong>and</strong> recognised by all journalists – that is acommitment to the truth <strong>and</strong> accuracy, to independence <strong>and</strong> fairness, <strong>and</strong> to minimise harm.The Declaration of Principles on the Conduct of Journalists agreed in 1954 at the International Federation ofJournalists Congress in Bordeaux in France is an inclusive <strong>and</strong> mercifully brief statement about ethics injournalism reflecting universal values.This code embraces all of the key values <strong>and</strong> aspirations of journalism. It has been endorsed by unions <strong>and</strong>associations of journalists coming from vastly different cultures <strong>and</strong> traditions <strong>and</strong> under a global st<strong>and</strong>ardfor <strong>media</strong> quality. The code calls for respect for truth, ethical expression of fair comment <strong>and</strong> criticism <strong>and</strong>the correction of errors; it warns journalists to use fair methods to obtain news; to uphold professionalsecrecy as a cardinal principle <strong>and</strong> to recognise the danger of discrimination being furthered by <strong>media</strong>.FocusThe Charter of Rome. The National Council of Journalists <strong>and</strong> the Federation of the Italian Press, inagreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), have endorsed the Charter ofRome (Conduct Protocol on asylum seekers, refugees, victims of trafficking <strong>and</strong> migrants) to promotegreater awareness on issues <strong>and</strong> subjects related to information concerning immigration. Although notdirectly addressed to <strong>Roma</strong> people, the guidelines highlight crucial principles such as: the need to supportresponsible information, far from superficial <strong>and</strong> incorrect behaviour <strong>and</strong> the dissemination of misleading,generalized, inaccurate news. The utmost prudence should be guaranteed in eluding the use of terms whichcould cause unwarranted alarmism <strong>and</strong> weakening of the credibility of professional journalists. The Charterof Rome reaffirms the duty to provide the public with accurate information, not omitting to explain, thecauses of phenomena, appealing to the contribution of experts <strong>and</strong> bodies working in this field.26
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