Media4Diversity

Programme Description:

The 3-year Mediam’ Rad project (2005 – 2007) focused on giving more visibility to ethnic media in Europe by building bridges between them and mainstream media with the aim to report and reflect social diversity more equally and accurately. It was noted that ethnic minority media has emerged as another leading group of media professionals. Although an almost invisible force it holds one important attribute; ethnic media are often people with expert knowledge of the issues they write about. More time and research is taken on each topic, ranging from integration, discrimination to intercultural relations. Across France, Italy and the Netherlands one way of highlighting this expertise was by pairing up ethnic media journalists with mainstream media journalists to work together – seeking to change stereotypes and prejudice in the mainstream media and bring them new sources.

The teams were trained in ethnic diversity issues and set the task of working collaboratively on a news piece related to issues of diversity. This piece could either be a print or radio story that dealt with issues such as social cohesion, discrimination or diversity. The pairings were a way of proving to mainstream media (and above all the top management) that ethnic minority journalists are their equals. They brought a new perspective to old problems and united the media from the country of their origin and the country they now call home.

The success of the project was proven in the space given to the reports by radio, online and print media. The French magazine, Fumigène, was so pleased with the concept that 6 articles were published. Radio France gave the project an hour-long programme on 2 of their prestigious channels (France Culture, France Inter) rather than the agreed 7 - 10 minutes. At the end of the initiative a round table, broadcast on Radio France, discussed the positive outcomes of the project and the challenges that were faced or had to be fulfilled.

Challenge:

A number of editors working in mainstream media were reluctant to join the scheme, not seeing ethnic minority media as their equal.

Solution:

After the initiative took place many of the same editors came back to the project manager asking to take part in the next scheme; however, as yet no funding has been found to continue the project.

Impact and Success Stories:

• Many of the partnerships continued to work together after the project was completed.
• Organisation of a round table in 2009 with policy makers, particularly ministers such as the Immigration Minister to introduce the project and explain the role and responsibility of the media in a multicultural Europe.

Quotes:

“The Panos Institute Paris is trying to access marginalised communities and through them their home societies through the media”

“By teaming up minority and mainstream journalists – the PIP is providing mainstream population with new sources, new information and a new view of the reality of France, intercultural relations and the issues surrounding it.” Claire Frachon, Project Manager, Panos Institute Paris