Fundatia DP

BEAMS PROJECT
BEAMS: Breaking down European Attitudes towards Migrant/Minority Stereotypes
Project code: JUST/2011/FRAC/AG/2844
WS1 ROMANIA
Authors of the research: Mircea Toma and Ionut Codreanu, subcontracted by FDP Premises
‐roma ethnics represent around 2,5% of the Romanian population, the second after the hungarians
‐during the last 20 years there have been minor variations in Roma perception ‐the present study draws a temporal panoramic image of Roma in mainstream culture
2
www.beams‐project.eu
Popular culture investigated
‐media Why
‐83% of Romanian devote at least one hour per day to watching television
‐96% of Romanian put television first in choosing primary sources of information
‐target group: adult population
3
www.beams‐project.eu
Choose of samples
Cultural productions generated by commercial TV stations in Romania: mainstream entertainment, TV series, programs dedicated to Roma
Criteria
‐history and audiance of the Romanian television stations
4
www.beams‐project.eu
Portrayal of Roma in mainstream entertainment
• 3 shows (In puii mei, Cronica Carcotasilor, Mondenii) broadcasted by 2 comercial TV stations (Antena 1, Prima tv)
• All valence negative/Frequency maximum/Resilience maximum
• themes: education
• Violence
• Migration
• Funerlas
5
• Music show: Romanians have talent (Protv), positive /Frequency minimum /
Maximum resilience
www.beams‐project.eu
Portrayal of Roma in mainstream entertainment
• Compositional elements of Roma characters:
traditional costume verbal aggressiveness, indiscipline,
rudimentary language
submissiveness intimidating speech, disrespect of authority
reduced intellectual ability for an adult
opulence
6
www.beams‐project.eu
An example
7
www.beams‐project.eu
An example
8
www.beams‐project.eu
Roma representation in TV Series
• Opera soap in 3 series broadcasted on Acasa TV between 2007‐2010
• Valence medium/average/medium
• Gypsy Heart / The Queen (2008‐2009) / State of Romania
9
www.beams‐project.eu
Roma in tv series
• Compositional elements of Roma characters:
traditional costume, traditions, united family, devotion
obscure life, humor, agression
pedantic
10
www.beams‐project.eu
Roma representation in TV Series
”The producers have tried to counter negative stereotypes by opposin
them positive moral traits (about the main characters of the series)”
Vladimir Anton, director of the tv seri
There is a feeling that productions as TV series “Gypsy Heart “ change or
improve negative perceptions of Roma. Some of the Romanians debaters
are really bothered by this fact (the presumption being that other Romania
might believe that good image of Roma). For what concerns the Roma,
they also welcome productions and even say that it help them rediscover
the traditions of the community. (report on ws2)
11
www.beams‐project.eu
Conclusions • Until 2005 we denied that we have problems of discrimination
• Yearly, the perception on the Roma ethnicity improves by one percent
• Despite the tense social climate, in Romania there are no violent racist actions
• There are different ways to break down stereotypes. Sanction only generate reactions.. We must develop a culture of debate.
• Csaba Asztalos, president National Council for Combating Discrimination
12
www.beams‐project.eu
Conclusions • „Mediatic Roma is the one who has stolen and eaten swans in Vienna, begging, stealing and making us look ridiculous in the world.”
• „The moment you walk in a Roma community and get to know them you can not stay with the same prejudices. You can not stay the same, something is changing in you. But here we are, talking about people who do not leave the office (na: journalists that do not document topics on the ground).”
13
• Oana Dan, journalist
www.beams‐project.eu
WS 2, facilitator Oana Ganea (FDP)
• The study was conducted using focus group method. The results of this research, like all qualitative research, are not
nationally representative for the entire population of Romania. The results should be used as such, solely in order to explain certain behaviors that occur in the studied group.
• The selection of the respondents was based on ethnicity, age and education level, 30 persons have participated at 3 focus groups with 2 hours duration. • Two with Romanian ethnic people and a focus group with Roma people (self‐reported)
14
• .
www.beams‐project.eu
Focus groups
15
www.beams‐project.eu
Ws2 focus groups
16
www.beams‐project.eu
Some conclusions..
• A rupture was found between ethnic Romanian and ethnic Roma, particularly rooted in majority 's desire to have no contact with Roma minority. The most common feelings are fear and distrust, present since the early years of life, learned from family.
• Romanian majority population, participants in this research, have reinforced these feelings through direct negative experiences with Roma minority, and indirectly, through the experiences of other people or media received information.
17
www.beams‐project.eu
Ws2 focus groups
18
www.beams‐project.eu
Ws2 focus groups
19
www.beams‐project.eu
Some conclusions..
• Roma minorities feel excluded and satirized either by ethnic Romanian or media productions. Roma are outraged that they are judged and labeled without being given the chance to be treated equally . This frustration is what defines their relationship with the majority .
• Roma prejudices and stereotypes strongly influence their social and professional life: they do not feel comfortable within the community, in school, they expect to receive insults from the majority and to be discriminated against in professional life.
20
www.beams‐project.eu
Some conclusions..
• If they were to classify Romanian participants’ intolerance sources, participants believe that family comes first , then the education (school colleagues and sometimes teachers) and only last, the media. • The media seems to reinforce the prejudices of society and feed them to the people who are already convinced that reoma are bad, lazy etc, but media also creates ruptures in the intolerant mindset, by showing, sometimes, the good side of roma.
21
www.beams‐project.eu
BEAMS PROJECT
Thank you!
Angela Sima
FDP – Fundatia Dezvoltarea Popoarelor