This is quite true. Most of the time the Roma media is broadcasting some comic shows, films and lots of music.
Yet, I have to mention a trend that I have recently noticed on the Roma's TV stations (Shutel TV in particular). As of recently some of the major Roma TV stations started to air programs with more educational character. As for example last week I saw one show broadcasted on Shutel TV (roma TV station) where there were several Macedonian and several Roma teenagers engaged in a discussion on a very popular issue- the discrimination in the society. Then, I also saw one program directed to the youngest Roma audience which had the purpose to teach them to write, and the show was done in a very funny way, so no child can resist watching it. Even I regularly watch it. I also saw many documentaries which were synchronized in Roma language. So, this is positive step forward, though very limited, as there are only Shutel TV and the national TV station MRTV that broadcast this kind of programs.
I'm blushing ;-)
Thank you for your comments and insights! The TV program changes you describe are promissing. I would imagine that the more educational and, especially for children, educational & funny! programming may be more expensive to put together than music, films etc.. so perhaps TV stations have to grow to a certain size to be able to develop and provide that type of programming. The Bulgarian TVRoma, at least as described on their web site, seems to have a more community based approach with call in discussion shows as perhaps a more low budget way of doing some educational programming but it seems they are only on the air a few hours every day and trying to grow with the help of grant funding.
I quoted this earlier but it's relevant here too:
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.
