ERIO participated to the Media4Diversity seminar in Prague
ERIO's Executive Director Ivan Ivanov attended the seminar Media4Diversity held in Prague during this weekend. This seminar gathered together representatives of the 30 selected initiatives by media or civil society organisations aimed at better reporting diversity in European media, as well as leading media professionals, experts, academics, anti-discrimination NGOs, equality bodies and policy makers active in the field of diversity and media. Altogether, up to 100 people from most of the EU Member States brainstormed and debated the way forward and finalise recommendations, which were included in ad hoc publication. In a world of uncertainty, where differences create difficult realities across Europe, media can exercise enormous influence in shaping opinion and accepting social diversity. Where questions are being raised about the value of diversity, this seminar and the recommendations to flow from it will be important in strengthening the diversity in media content across Europe. The Prague seminar also offered the occasion to award those journalists who, through their writing, help foster a better understanding of the benefits of diversity and who encourage readers to consider more closely issues of discrimination and inequality. This year, the Commission dedicated a Special Award to an article concentrating on Roma issues. Pascale Krémer, journalist atLe Monde, won the joint first prize with her article “Homophobie et football: la leçon de Chooz” (Homophobia and football – The lesson of Chooz) on gay players in a local football team. It looks at how the lucrative marketing world of football helps perpetuate discrimination against gays and lesbians but also examines the positive measures taken by football leagues across Europe to combat it. The other joint first prize went to Ole Hall, journalist at the DanishMorgenavisen Jyllands-Posten. His article “Danske muslimer udsat for chikane” (Danish Muslims are subject to harassment) reveals how Danish women who convert to Islam suddenly go from being a member of a majority to becoming a very visible minority in their home country. As such, they face the same prejudices and hostility from society as Muslims of foreign parentage. Christiana Martins and Marisa Antunes won the third place with their article “Elite à prova de racismo” (Racism-proof elite) about successful Portuguese citizens from minority backgrounds who have broken through glass ceilings. It was published in the weekly Portuguese newspaperExpresso. For the Special Roma award, Mika Kontourousi, journalist at theEleftheros Tiposwrote the article “Η Γιουζγιάν σπάει τα σύνορα της φυλής της” (Yuzyan “breaks” the borders of her tribe). It describes the problems Roma women are confronted with when they try to move away from their traditional roles in society. The Journalist Award scheme is one of a wide range of awareness-raising activities taking place as part of the EU's 'For Diversity. Against Discrimination.' information campaign. European Youth Press and the Association of European Journalists are partners of this Award edition. The winning entries to the journalist award scheme were selected from over 545 articles from all 27 Member States submitted between 1 January and 31 October 2008. The jury members underlined the high quality of the articles submitted. The four European winners will each receive a grant for a research trip to an EU country of their choice. Mr Ivanov was part of the jury for the Special Roma award and, together with Commissioner Vladimir Špidla delivered the prize certificate to the Greek journalist.
[ERIO's Mr. Ivanov delivers his speech during the ceremony]
[Mr. Spidla and Mr. Ivanov with the awarded journalist]
