A landmark seminar on the portrayal of Roma in the media was held on 18 October 2024 in Athens, as part of a series of national seminars aimed at addressing discrimination and inequality in Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Italy. Organised under the European Union/Council of Europe Joint Programme “Equality and Freedom from Discrimination for Roma” (EQUIROM), the event gathered media representatives, Roma and pro-Roma NGOs, and key stakeholders from governmental institutions to discuss ways to improve the portrayal of Roma people in Greek media.

The seminar revolved around the recently published study commissioned by the Council of Europe, which analyses the portrayal of Roma in television broadcasting across Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, and Romania. The study, which covers broadcast materials from January 2022 to April 2023, emphasizes that despite existing EU, Council of Europe, and national frameworks prohibiting hate speech and discrimination, these laws are not always fully applied in media reporting. The study further highlights the importance of equal treatment and the need for ethical standards to be enforced consistently across both public and private media sectors.

Seminar’s speakers, including Eleni Tsetsekou, Head of the Council of Europe's Roma and Travellers Division, Georgios Stamatis, Member of the Greek Parliament, Prodromos Pyrros, the Secretary General of Social Solidarity and Fight Against Poverty from the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, Georgios Agnostaras representing the National Council for Radio and Television (NCRT), and representatives from Ombudsperson’s office, journalist unions and TV stations discussed the urgent need to challenge misconceptions and improve the portrayal of Roma in Greek media.

One of the notable outcomes of the seminar was the discussion of the upcoming media campaign, part of the CoE-EU EQUIROM project, aimed at improving the image of Roma in the media. Thanks to constructive exchanges, the campaign design was enriched with participants’ ideas, highlighting the importance of inclusive dialogue and collaboration. Additionally, the presentation of the HELP course on Discrimination against Roma* adapted to journalists and media representatives offered a valuable tool to equip journalists with the skills needed to report on Roma issues ethically and responsibly.

The seminar provided a crucial platform for dialogue among media professionals, government officials, and Roma advocates, marking the beginning of a joint effort to improve the portrayal of Roma in the Greek media landscape. Through collaboration, education, and ethical journalism, the seminar participants aim to dismantle harmful stereotypes and contribute to a more inclusive and equal society for Roma.

For more information on the CoE-EU EQUIROM project and upcoming activities, please visit www.coe.int/equirom

* The HELP Module on "Discrimination against Roma" tailored to journalists and media representatives is available in Greek language upon request. If you wish to follow the course, please request the connection links by contacting [email protected]