From 13-15 September 2024, media workers, professionals, and content creators from the Western Balkans and Türkiye convened in Belgrade for the “Transforming Media Narratives on Roma” training. Organized by ERIAC Serbia and supported by the EU-CoE Roma Integration – Phase III Joint Programme, the event aimed to empower media professionals to combat antigypsyism and reshape public perceptions of Roma communities through ethical and inclusive reporting.
The training provided participants with valuable insights into both the historical and contemporary manifestations of antigypsyism and explored the transformative power of storytelling in media. Sessions covered strategies to counter stereotypes and misinformation, using both mainstream and social media as tools for creating positive narrative change. Participants had the opportunity to engage with experts and reflect on the role of media in challenging prejudice and promoting Roma voices.
Participants explored the Combing Through Time: Untangling Hidden Histories of the Roma Genocide exhibition, gaining valuable insights into how arts and culture can be powerful tools in combating antigypsyism. The sessions that followed focused on the manifestations of antigypsyism, led by Nadja Greku, ERIAC Serbia Program Manager, and a storytelling lab by Gilda-Nancy Horvath, Austrian Roma journalist, which explored content creation and the role of pluralism in collective action. Regional media professionals, including Avni Mustafa, ERIAC media section coordinator, Angela Timotijevic-Bojovic, Junior Project Manager, WB6 Media Project, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH and Idriz Seferaj, Project Manager, Innovation. Media. Minds, Deutsche Welle shared their expertise on media networks and opportunities in the region. The event concluded with a workshop on visual representation by Bela Varadi, Hungarian born Roma photographer, alongside case studies on combating antigypsyism through social media, presented by social media content creators Florian Tacorian and Anastasiia Tambovtseva.
By the end of the training, participants expressed a strong commitment to regional cooperation and improving Roma representation in media and combating antigypsyism across the Western Balkans Six (WB6) region and Türkiye. We look forward to further cooperation among and between these Roma and Non-Roma media professionals and ERIAC’s media section, ensuring the advancement of Roma representation across the region and beyond.
ERIAC is a dynamic, membership-based organization, representing 141 distinguished members from 21 countries globally. Among them, 31 professionals are committed to the Media and Information Thematic Section, led by Avni Mustafa, ERIAC Media Section Coordinator. These experts are at the forefront of advancing fair representation, addressing stereotypes, and elevating Roma voices within the media landscape. Their collective knowledge and dedication form a robust network that drives impactful change and fosters inclusive narratives. ERIAC will be opening applications for new memberships in December, and we will provide further details on how you can become part of this influential community.
ERIAC Serbia is proud of the energy and unity cultivated during the training. We remain available to support future collaboration efforts. We are confident that the dedication and collective action generated through this training will have a lasting and positive impact on Roma narratives and media representation in the region. ERIAC Serbia together with the Council of Europe remains committed to promoting ethical and inclusive media practices and combating antigypsyism.
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