IJC Report: Superficial coverage of minorities and vulnerable groups by the media in Gagauzia and the Transnistrian region

Mass-media in UTA Gagauz-Yeri and the Transnistrian region indicate the scant interest in the topic of socially vulnerable groups and minorities – this is one of the main conclusions of the monitoring report issued by the Independent Journalism Center (IJC).
 
Among other conclusions, the report reflects the following deficiencies in the media coverage of minorities and vulnerable groups:

• The media in the regions monitored covered the topic superficially in news bulletins or reportage inspired by press releases and public events;
• There is a lack of original subject matter and complex subjects reflecting diverse opinions and perspectives on various situations in the lives of minorities and vulnerable people;
• Journalists sometimes used discriminatory terms when covering socially vulnerable groups and minorities and promoted stereotypes.

 
The report includes the following recommendations:
 

• Review the editorial policy of mass media outlets to ensure that the issues of minorities and vulnerable people become topics of general interest that require in-depth coverage, so as to provide a full and objective social overview;
• Cover the issue of minorities and vulnerable groups in a professional and correct manner, excluding narrow and superficial coverage.
• Cover the issue of social, economic and cultural inclusion of members of minorities and vulnerable groups as well as other issues concerning their freedom and responsibilities and their opinions about issues of common interest.

 
The report was based on qualitative and quantitative monitoring methodology and aimed to assess the coverage of the media in UTA Gagauz-Yeri and the Transnistrian region of the topic on minorities and socially vulnerable persons.
Five broadcast and print media outlets in the relevant regions were monitored during a two-month period (October 28 – December 28).
The Monitoring Report of the Media Coverage of Minorities and Socially Vulnerable People can be found here.
 
This monitoring took place in the framework of the project “Promoting the rights of minorities and marginalized groups from Transnistrian and Gagauzian regions through the media”, implemented by the Independent Journalism Center (IJC), financially supported by the IJC partner Civil Rights Defenders, Sweden.