Challenge of Reporting Diversity Sparks Dialogue Between Journalists and Ethnic Groups To Improve Media Quality

With European enlargement imminent and concern over the consequent changes in society, the role of mass media in covering the affairs of ethnic minorities, immigrants and asylum seekers is ever-more important, say the organizers of the press-launch of the new European Day of Media Monitoring report on media performance.

The report will be presented during a press launch in Brussels at the International Press Centre Résidence Palace, Rue de la Loi 155, on 15 March from 14:00 to 16:00, to highlight the standard of reporting ethnic minorities and immigrants by newspapers and television news. This first European-wide benchmark report is based on a one-day monitoring of the media output of 13 November 2003, taken up by the National Focal Points of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) in all 15 EU Member States.

“This report and the context in which it is released is a challenge to all journalists and media covering Europe” said Aidan White, General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), who will introduce a set of recommendations for journalists on reporting on the multicultural society and minority groups. “This is not a debate about controlling journalists or punishing media, it is about setting standards that will make sure journalists are telling the full story and making sure that everyone who counts is in the picture”.

At the launch Online/More Colour in the Media (OL/MCM) will present plans for a European Week of Action, to take place in the following week (15-21 March), with national activities and events promoting the dialogue between journalists and minority audiences in twelve countries.

OL/MCM, the IFJ, the European Network Against Racism (ENAR) and the EUMC, the main partners of the project, are using this occasion to highlight the importance of involving minority organizations, journalists, editors and broadcasters in a plan of action to improve quality in reporting on diversity in the present multicultural societies. Each of the parties will express a common commitment to future activities in response to the report’s findings.

“The dialogue and commitment to work together is a vital component in building a credible and lasting strategy for journalism that deals with diversity issues in a factual, sensitive, inclusive and professional way” said White.

The European Day of Media Monitoring is an initiative of OL/MCM and is financially supported by the European Commission.