„Dissemination of the report – LGBTI – the new media target in place of Roma? The image of minority and vulnerable groups in Bulgarian media“

23 August 2023

„Dissemination of the report – LGBTI – the new media target in place of Roma? The image of minority and vulnerable groups in Bulgarian media“

The meeting was organised by NGO Organization Drom in the frame of the project EQUALTOGETHER, implemented in cooperation with the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee and other NGOs from Bulgaria and one partner from Sweden.

The meeting was held on 23 August 2023 in Vidin. It involved 12 representatives (5 male and 7 female) of the regional TV, radio, newspapers and electronic platforms (List of 12 participants, annexed). The purpose of the meeting was to present the new report of NGO Organization Drom, authored by Assoc. Prof. Ivo Indzhov.

The meeting commenced with a short presentation by Ms. Donka Panayotova of the work of NGO Organisation Drom - present activities and future plans. Then, Ms. Panayotova presented briefly the project EQUALTOGETHER – mission, activities and outcomes so far. Ms. Tanya Kaltzeva followed with a presentation of the idea of the research, main sources, methods for analysis and evaluation of the report of Assoc. Prof. Indzhov.

The journalists welcomed the report findings and provided positive comments and suggestions which will be taken up by the project organisers. The journalists concluded that the report delivers interesting results as the focus of the media has shifted away from the Roma as it used to be about two decades ago. The media attitude towards Roma back then was strongly negative, while today, the media focus has been directed towards other minorities, like LGBTI.

The meeting concluded with a proposal from the Vidin journalists that the research is replicated in the near future to acknowledge any influence on the Bulgarian society by the media sources.