As for Bulgaria, in addition to the political participation in the MFR (the Movement for Freedoms and Rights) which Darin reports below it also seems there is also a small Roma media presence in Bulgaria including TVRoma (more on that in the boxquote below). For a list of periodicals which regularly publish articles about Roma (including several based in Bulgaria): http://www.osi.hu/rpp/biblio/roma2_2.html
Looking at the staff of the European Roma Rights Center, just as an example, it's also clear that Bulgarians are actively involved in efforts to improve the situation:
Staff include: Savelina Danova Russinova is Research and Policy Coordinator. She has a Masters degree in English Philology from the Sofia University, Bulgaria, and is an MA candidate in Human Rights from the Central European University in Budapest. Previously, she was the Director of the Sofia-based Roma rights organisation Human Rights Project.
Toni Tashev is Community and Litigation Development Officer. He holds a Master degree in Law from the Sofia University, Bulgaria, and a diploma for Professional Qualification in Political Management from the Balkans school of politics, Bulgaria. He also completed an International program in NGO Management, Advocacy and Public Campaign Facilitation at the International Peoples`College in Helzingor, Denmark. Since 1995 he has been involved in Romani issues, mainly in activities related to protection of human rights and non-discrimination, advocacy campaigns and community development. Previously, he was an International Advocacy and Legal Adviser of the ERRC. He was also the Legal Director and later the Executive Director of the Sofia-based Roma rights organisation Human Rights Project, an external lecturer in Human Rights and Conflict Resolution at the National Police Academy, Bulgaria, a Project Manager and Policy Coordinator of the Development of Initiatives for Local Alternatives Foundation (DILAF), Bulgaria.
The creators of TV Roma believe that is vital for Roma community to have a media presence, to advance the integration and emancipation of the Roma community. The development of Roma TV is guided by the social purpose of creating a voice and a media home for the Roma community and the other ethnic and cultural minorities. We believe in the need for intercultural communication between the majority and the minorities, a place for dialogue and mutual understanding of the ethnic groups in Bulgaria.
Audience and distribution:
The program is being distributed in Nov Put, the biggest Roma neighborhood in Vidin, with a population of about 17,000 people, as well is in towns around Vidin, such as Dunavtzi. Individual shows have been provided for distribution to cable operators in the rest of Vidin. Roma TV started in 1998 with a total of 150 subscribers, In 2000 we had 250 subscribers. Currently there are 100 regular subscribers paying their fees, due to the fact that the entire region is suffering a serious depression with high unemployment. The economic situation of the Roma people in Vidin has deteriorated in the last couple of years. Actually the program of TV Roma is watched from the whole neighborhood.30 % of the audience are the families and the relatives of the regular subscribers and there are 70 % of people who have connected illegally to the station.
The development of the Roma TV Program Concept has so far been defined by audience interests and by the availability of resources - financial, technical and professional skills. During the first two years the major pAt the end of 2001 and the beginning of 2002 (after the introduction of modern equipment) a three-hour daily program was launched (four-hours during the weekend). We also produce a special show for the big holidays, such as New Year, Vasilovden and others. Every day we produce an average of one and a half to two hours of news and author shows or topical shows, with direct phone participation by the neighborhood audience. In addition we have two hours of educational, entertainment, children's and musical shows. The main topics of our programs are relevant local issues, including the Roma cultural heritage that aims to raise the self-esteem of the Roma people. The daily news includes 3 to 5 reports; the production quality has improved considerably according to our audience as well as by colleagues from other stations in the region.
Because of the limited financial resources the programs of Roma TV has the look of neighborhood television, with elements of a regional program for the municipality of Vidin. We need more resources if we are going to enter in the national television market.
Actually, while browsing the RomaTV website, I stumbled upon something funny:
The program is being distributed in Nov Put, the biggest Roma neighborhood in Vidin, with a population of about 17,000 people, as well is in towns around Vidin, such as Dunavtzi... Roma TV started in 1998 with a total of 150 subscribers, In 2000 we had 250 subscribers. Currently there are 100 regular subscribers paying their fees, due to the fact that the entire region is suffering a serious depression with high unemployment. The economic situation of the Roma people in Vidin has deteriorated in the last couple of years. Actually the program of TV Roma is watched from the whole neighborhood. 30% of the audience are the families and the relatives of the regular subscribers and there are 70 % of people who have connected illegally to the station.
A good example of Roma giving bad image to other Roma.
But I am actually impressed by the initiative. Be careful! Is it classified?
I agree TVRoma seems like an important initiative worth supporting. I'd like to know more about it.
I just wish you had done some of this research yourself earlier it's not that hard to find with a few key stokes and google.
About the research - I knew there were Roma organizations, so surely they provide some public service; this however doesn't reflect the argument of this diary (the cultural difference and attitude towards gypsies), but the solution of the problem (which is no way less important). Be careful! Is it classified?
