Network Media Program - Roma Media Fund

The Roma Media Fund (RMF) is a part of the OSI Network Media Program. It deals with initiatives and projects related to Romany-language media.

This program has opened up possibilities for various initiatives to grow and develop: it facilitates the development of media in Romany language; it supports training programs aimed at passing on know-how and professional journalistic skills; and it works intensively on networking among the Romany-language media and groups of journalists gathered around various initiatives.

Special attention is given to media which have the potential for serving community needs—particularly local electronic media, or radio and TV production teams.

Having in mind that local Romany electronic media need direct assistance to better equip their radio and TV stations, the RMF supports the improvement of their technical facilities while working simultaneously to improve the quality of their productions.

Roma print media, although not the RMF’s first priority, have also been supported—particularly those that are playing a special role on preserving and promoting Romany culture, history and language.

The RMF works closely with the national and regional Soros foundations to target specific needs of the Romany-language media, which vary from country to country.

Examples of RMF activities to date include:

Support for Roma Television and Radio Stations

After an evaluation trip to two Roma television stations in Macedonia, they were given grants to buy equipment for improving the production of news programs. This project was started within the Roma Participation Program and later taken over by the RMF. The RMF continues to support the stations in developing their organizational structure, technical base, management and programming skills. RMF involvement has also contributed to a better relationship and cooperation between the two stations, and similar support has been given to Roma television broadcasters in Kalocsa, Hungary.

The RMF also provides support to Roma radio programs in Macedonia. In particular, support was provided to two radio stations - Cerenja (Stip) and Atlanta (Skopje) - providing programming for Roma refugees from Kosovo. This effort brought together these two radio stations and the two televison stations mentioned above for the first time, and helped raise awareness of issues related to Roma from Kosovo in mainstream media and among the general public.

At present, the RMF is developing a plan for more comprehensive training and assistance for Roma radio and television.

Journalism Training for Young Roma

The RMF supported a program on journalism training for young Roma to become journalists, with the aim to enable them to work in mainstream media as well. This program was conducted by the Budapest Center for Independent Journalism for both Hungary and Slovakia. It was led by a professional journalist mentor and included training in journalism skills as well as more general training (for example, on the political systems of the respective countries).

In December 1999, the RMF supported a two-week special workshop at the BBC school in Sarajevo for Roma radio and television journalists from the countries of former Yugoslavia. The workshop was organized by Soros Media Center, Sarajevo.

International Conferences of Roma Media Editors

Two important events related to the development of Roma media were the second and third international conferences of Roma media editors, managers and journalists in Budapest and Ohrid. Both conferences were cooperatively organized by Roma media NGOs, the Network Media Program-Roma Media Fund, national and regional Soros foundations and the East East Program. These conferences aimed to strengthen the network of Roma media and to promote cooperation with mainstream media. During the last conference, a Roma Media Task Force Group was established with a mandate to initiate projects in areas of high importance to Roma Media.