A special consultative session with media editors from Bosnia and Herzegovina took place in Sarajevo, focusing on the visibility and social inclusion of Roma communities, the portrayal of Roma-related issues in the media, and the media's responsibility in combating antigypsyism in public discourse.
The meeting held on 15 May 2025 brought together journalists and editors, along with representatives of the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Communications Regulatory Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Association “BiH Journalists”, Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo and the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina. They explored the important role of the media in shaping public perception and influencing attitudes toward marginalised communities—particularly the Roma.
Journalist and activist Dalibor Tanić and Nadja Greku, representative of the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) highlighted the media’s critical role in promoting social inclusion and dismantling harmful stereotypes. While some reporting reinforces negative biases and fuels social exclusion, the media also hold the potential to challenge prejudice and amplify Roma voices in a constructive and empowering way.
A key takeaway from the consultations was the need for stronger adherence to journalistic ethical codes, especially when it comes to including Roma perspectives not only in stories that specifically focus on the Roma communities, but also in the broader coverage of social, political, and cultural issues.
There was a shared conclusion that many media outlets are already contributing positively to the promotion of social inclusion, while welcoming the fact that the media are open to further expanding their understanding of Roma issues and continuing to work on further improvements in both reporting practices and editorial policies.
This activity is supported by the “Roma Integration III” Joint Programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe.
