Do we need Roma mass media outlets? Finding the balance between integration and preservation of iden

Every day, millions of people wake up and the first thing they do—even before they move their curtains or open their window—is pick up their phone and look what’s up. Because their phone contains all the news. Mass media outlets have become our primary guides in the world of politics, culture, history, and social events. TV, online mass media, social networks, YouTube, Telegram—the information is just everywhere, and it shapes the way we view reality. But is it always accurate and true? Does it not impose upon us false images of certain groups of people? Mass media are able to both build bridges between communities and create walls of misunderstanding.

Existence of separate Roma mass media is a complicated and a debatable matter. On the one hand, specialised mass media outlets may become an efficient tool helping to preserve the culture, language, and traditions of the Roma community. On the other hand, striving for Roma integration into society may contradict the idea of creation of a separate mass media outlet for one ethnic group only. So is it indeed advisable to create separate mass media for Roma people, or is it more apt to focus on equal representation of Roma topics in general public mass media instead?

Community marginalisation or empowerment?

Certain countries have a practice in place whereby ethnic communities can create mass media outlets of their own. This allows smaller groups to get their voice out. There is, however, a risk that such mass media outlets will eventually operate ‘in a bubble’, i.e. not contributing to integration but distancing the said community even more away from the , society.

Despite whatever is said about equality, the topic of Roma people in general public mass media is usually either ignored or presented in a stereotypical manner. As a result of that, Roma communities either remain invisible for the majority of population or are presented in a negative way.

One of the main arguments in favour of the existence of separate Roma mass media outlets is that it is necessary to preserve and promote the Roma culture. Through specialised TV shows, radio, and/or newspapers, Roma people will be able to maintain their language, cherish their music, traditions, and history—all of which would otherwise eventually be gradually phased out.

The Ukrainian Context

The Roma mass media outlets, their importance notwithstanding, have oftentimes faced numerous difficulties. Firstly, a number of projects have been created by NGO—and hence funded by donors from overseas. As of today, USAID—the largest grantor—has suspended its operations in Ukraine. At the same time, Roma-related topics are practically not represented in national public mass media outlets; at best, these topics are covered by regional mass media.

Volodymyr Yakovenko, Executive Director of ARCA Youth Agency for Roma Culture Advocacy, has commented on the Ukrainian realities of the Roma mass media environment as follows:

«The Roma mass media outlets are facing two major challenges. Firstly, they are constrained by financial limitations which prevents them to operate as commercial projects, so they remain on the level of initiatives of NGOs enjoying irregular financial support. At the same time, successful examples—say, the  ATR TV channel—prove that stable development is possible if one has stable funding and a well-elaborated strategy. Not only has ATR been promoting Crimean Tatar culture but has also offered top quality content which was of interest to a broader audience. 

Presence of Roma people in the media environment could have substantially contributed to the decrease in the level of discrimination and could have also contributed to the acceptance of Roma people as citizens and equals. The experience of post-war period in the Soviet Union—when Roma artists were actively engaged in the cultural life—has proved that the media visibility is of great importance. Today, too, our state and our society can support Roma personalities—actors, musicians, journalists—and can thus contribute to their integration in the present-day Ukrainian media environment. The State should promote the formation of prominent Roma personalities—particularly, musicians and artists—by providing them with the necessary support for their development. In this way, it will ensure that they are more represented in the media environment—which, in turn, shall positively impact the perception of Roma community in society».

What to read? 

There are , however, mass media outlets which proceed with their work and which familiarise us with the diverse world of Roma people—not through the prism of stereotypes but from within the community.  

«Zhianes»

First and foremost, let us recall the project owing to which you are actually reading this text. «Zhianes» is ARCA NGO’s project. The initiative is being developed by both ethnic Roma people and Ukrainians. Thus, the issue is being examined from a variety of standpoints—which allows one to better understand actual challenges faced by the Roma community in Ukraine. Not only does «Zhianes» (Romani for «did you know that?» - ed.) keep people informed but also creates a space for dialogue and interaction between representatives of different cultures. The project team strives to dismantle stereotypes by showcasing real stories and extraordinary personalities, Roma achievements and Roma issues; it also supports initiatives contributing to social integration and equal possibilities for everyone.

Thank you for reading and listening to us! Apart from our printed publications, we also have podcasts and a streaming platform. Together, we are building a society where each and every one of us has his voice and a chance to develop. Your attention to this topic is an important step to overcome prejudice and to create an inclusive future. We believe that, through an open dialogue, through dissemination of genuine stories and promotion of joint initiatives, we shall be able to change the reality for the better.

We urge each and every one of you to stay with us, to share materials, to discuss important issues and to support our effort aimed at the building of a just society.

Pages of NGOs

Here, we would like to mention our colleagues and partners who do not have a mass media outlet of their own but who, through their work, showcase the multifacetedness of the Roma community nonetheless.

«Voice of Romni»  

This is a team of male and female Roma activists who work on improvement of the life conditions of Roma women and their families every day. This NGO has been created to contribute to their social integration and to ensure equal possibilities for their development. The team is convinced that each and every person, regardless of his or her origin, has a right to decent life, safety, and actualisation of his or her dreams. «Voice of Romni» helps make the voices of Roma women heard locally, nationwide, and internationally, all in order to change their communities and impact the future.

Chiricli

Chiricli Roma Women’s Foundation operates in the realm of protection of the rights of Roma people—particularly those who have suffered as a result of the Russian invasion and who have become refugees and internally displaced persons. The Foundation also protects the education rights of the Roma community and works on Roma engagement, activism, and visibility in all walks of life.

This organisation has created Chiriclo, a Romani radio which has become the first Roma online radio in Ukraine ever. It started broadcasting in 2016. Transmissions covered topics like the life or Roma people, challenges faced by the community, its culture and history. As of today, however, it is unfortunately not operational.

RomaUA. Information and Analytics Outlet

This platform amasses miscellaneous information: Ukrainian and global news, books and stories featuring extraordinary Roma people (musicians, artists, or otherwise renowned personalities). Read, listen, watch. Because Roma people are among us. They work as teachers, they create Tik-Tok content, they participate in TV shows, and they also do a lot of other things which are not something Roma people are usually (stereotypically) expected to do.

Individuals. Personalities. Roma people.

And there also is, of course, plenty of Roma activists who are very active on social networks, who showcase modern-day life of Roma people, and who share interesting facts on language, history, and culture. So feel free to get acquainted.

Janusz PANCHENKO

Our colleague, consultant on Roma matters at ARCA NGO, ethnographer, linguist—and many other things, too.  

On his online pages, you will find information about comparison of Romani language and other languages, stories of extraordinary people and eye-opening historical facts covering misfortunes which Roma people have faced throughout history. You will also find interviews, studies, and other stories covering events in the life of a Roma bloke.

Zinaida PROKOPENKO

She refers to herself as the «VIP-Gypsy lady from Tik Tok». She makes interesting videos, she has a podcast, she takes part in conferences, discussions, forums in Ukraine and abroad.

Zinaida neatly combines her jeans with traditional Roma attire, completely destroying stereotypes thereby.  

Anastasiia TAMBOVTSEVA

A Ukrainian girl teaching the Romani language—this is how this activist lady is usually referred to. She has taught herself Romani to help Roma children to keep up with the school curriculum. Now, she also publishes books and textbooks; she also promotes the Romani language and shows everyone that Roma are people, same as everyone else

To read more about Anastasiia and her effort, please refer to this material: The Melody of Mother Tongue: How Romani children get to know themselves through words

We will probably be unable to cover each and every prominent Roma person (or even non-Roma people engaged in these processes). This is why we cover some of them from time to time. Here are some stories about Roma people dismantling stereotypes:

Famous Roma people who have integrated themselves into Ukrainian society

Not just music and dancing. Stories of famous Roma people who are integrated into Ukrainian society

Roma people that are changing the Ukrainian society

The Voice of the World

Fortunately, the global situation of Roma mass media outlets is somewhat better краща. Europe offers both topic-centred projects and separate resources dedicated to issues that are crucial to Roma people. Here are some of them.

«Gypsy Radio»
This is an international online outlet broadcasting in the Romani language 24/7.

«Romani CRISS» (Romania)
This organisation is engaged in Roma rights advocacy. It has its own mass media projects to keep the community abreast of any developments.

«Radio Romano» (Sweden)
This radio station broadcasts in Romani language, covering matters of culture and current events.

«Romedia Foundation» (Hungary)
This organisation creates documentaries and media projects covering Roma topics, Roma culture, and Roma rights.

«Roma Press Center» (Hungary)
A news agency gathering and disseminating information about events pertaining to the Roma community in Europe.

«Radio Patrin» (Germany)
An online radio offering broadcasts covering Roma music, culture, and news.

So, what should one do? Well that is a somewhat rhetorical question

Roma mass media outlets can exist as a separate segment but can thereby actively collaborate with general public mass media. This will allow to bring the Roma topics to the attention of the wider audience and to eliminate the gap between ethnic groups.

By supporting and training Roma journalists (or anyone else interested in the topic—ed.), one will contribute to the representation of the Roma topics in general public mass media in a quality manner, without stereotypes.

Launching custom TV shows or columns covering Roma culture in major mass media outlets could have become an efficient alternative to completely standalone mass media outlets. Such projects could have familiarise the broader audience with the history, achievements, and issues faced by the Roma community.

By and large, it is not only the Roma community that should be working on how to change the perception of their community but the Ukrainian society in general. After all, if we fail to reach national unity and if we fail to secure the support of our state, even the best and most successful of our initiatives shall remain local projects only.