ETHICAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

A Campaign to Fight Discriminations through Freedom of Expression

and the Highest Professional Standards of Journalism

Activity Report

Project Name: Ethical Journalism Initiative

Project Code: JUST/2009/FRAC/AG/1127

Project Activity: National conference

Date: 14 & 15 June 2011

Location: Thessaloniki, Greece

Hosting organisation: Journalists' Union of Macedonia and Thrace Daily Newspapers

(ESIEMTH)

I. Participants/Target Group:

The main target groups of the action are local (from different regions in Greece)

journalists, publishers, editors, policy makers, academics and NGOs representatives.

Speakers include representatives from the Government, the Office of the United Nations

High Commissioner for Refugees, the UNESCO, minorities groups and news ombudsmen

organisations. They are from a diverse background. Although the ESIEMTH mainly

represents members from the print sector, journalists and editors from across the print,

broadcasting and new media also attended and spoke in the conference. The project

succeeded in fully involving the target groups.

There was a large turnout in the national conference considering the general strike took

place across most cities in Greece on 15 June 2011. Around 64 participants attended the

first day of the conference. Due to the general strike on 15 June, the attendance was

considerably lower; around 52 participants attended the conference. This was due to the

fact that some journalists had to report the general strike.

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The two-day programme covers a comprehensive range of issues (see Annex I –

Conference Programme), from journalism ethics, human right laws, and the self-

regulatory system in the media and discriminations. However, due to the general strike on

15 June, the programme changed slightly (see point II Objectives & Results).

II. Objectives & Results

The national conference was designed to allow all stakeholders to conduct an open

discussion on discrimination issues related to religion, ethnicity and migration in Greece.

It aims to raise awareness on these issues and examine examples of good/bad practice

among stakeholders. It is hoped to help the union develop a national strategy to combat

these issues. Nevertheless, the economic and geo-political situation must be highlighted

in relation to the impact of the activity.

The national conference took place on 14 and 15 June when the political and economic

crises reached its peak. A few months prior to the conference, several strikes took place

across Greece. On 15 June, the Greek public went on a general strike against the

Government’s austerity plans. Public transport was disrupted and demonstrators filled the

streets of Athens, Thessaloniki and other cities across Greece. Journalists were affected

by the austerity plan and scheduled strike actions during the day. The conference on 15

June was delayed until 2 pm due to the disruption caused by the strike. Some journalists

failed to attend the conference because they had to cover the strike.

Despite the strike, participants showed a high degree of enthusiasm and interest in the

conference. They stayed until 9 pm on 15 June to compensate the delay and contribute to

the discussion. On 14 June, the conference began at 9 am and ended at 20 pm. Participants

surveyed (83% of said the preparation was excellent while 27% said it was good)

expressed that the preparation of the conference was excellent despite the strike. All

surveyed participated said their expectation has been met. Most participants found the

conference useful in providing them with networking opportunities and opportunities to

exchange ideas and experience.

Participants shared examples of best practices and initiatives that help prevent prejudice

against minority groups. Some media in Greece are well aware of the danger of ethnic

profiling in reporting. Filios Stagos, the director of the municipal radio station (Municipal

Enterprise of Information, Entertainment and Communication) in Thessaloniki shared a

case where a one-year old girl in a Romanian family was killed by her father. Journalists

at the time reported the murder without highlighting the racial background of the family.

Stagos explained that this was because the journalist was aware of the potential tension

that could cause in the community if he had highlighted the murder’s racial background.

If he reported otherwise, the report could generate hostility among the public towards a

particular ethnic group.

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Taking into account of the economic and political background, participants conclusively

pointed out that the economic crisis has taken its toll on quality journalism in Greece; and

that the crisis affects the media’s capacity when reporting on migration and minority

groups. Participants pointed out that journalists and quality journalism have become the

casualties of the economic crisis. Participants pointed out that sensational reporting on

religious, race and ethnicity issues increased during time of economic crisis. As a result,

minority groups are often being portrayed as scapegoats. The majority of surveyed

participants (72%) said the Greek media coverage of minority groups is negative while

only 11% said the coverage is positive (see Annex II – Survey Results). The majority

(67%) expressed that negative stereotypes of individuals and groups being furthered by

the media. In addition, when asked how often journalists and editors cover issues on race,

ethnicity and religious groups, some said that they seldom cover these issues and when

they are covered, they seldom quote the minority groups. Some participants explained

that this is because the media, in particular, broadcasters, are more inclined to populist

and extremist view due to commercial and political pressure.

The discussion effectively showed that discriminations and biased media coverage on

minority groups are furthered and intensified by the economic crisis. Against this

background, it should be highlighted that the economic situation in Greece would limit

the impact of the conference. Although most participants agreed that the media and

journalists have the responsibilities to raise public awareness of discrimination existing in

societies and achieve social justice through fair and accurate reporting, a majority said

they would not change the way they report/see issues on race, ethnicity and religious

groups. This could be explained by the fact that some journalists said they are under

constant pressure to produce sensational journalism in order to attract more readerships.

The economic hardship has put more pressure on journalists and editors to seek for

sensational journalism.

Nevertheless, it should also be pointed that most participants have a certain degree of

awareness of different minority groups and the problems associated with discriminations

in Greek society. It was pointed out that institutional racism is more prominent in Greek

society and state policies for education, health and social welfare are often hostile to

immigrants and refugees. For instance, there are only a few journalists from minority

background partly due to the lack of opportunities for education. In the case of refugees,

they are often refused to receive education because of their status. Newspapers written in

minority languages often struggle to survive because of the lack of funding and public

appeal. It evidently shows that the scale of the problem go beyond the limit of the action.

Further, participants showed a growing concern over the abuse of the new media as a way

to deepen social prejudice towards minority groups. It was pointed out that there is a lack

of regulation for online media where ethical codes present no enforcing power. In

addition, it was difficult for the public to differentiate professional journalists from

amateur journalists in the online environment. Participants agreed that there should be a

regulatory framework that can apply the ethical codes to both traditional and new media.

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The two-day conference was broadcasted live through the ESIEMTH Chanel. Journalists

from the public television broadcaster ET3 reported the conference and part of the

conference and interviews were broadcasted at ET3 in Thessaloniki, Greece.

III. Conclusions/Recommendations/Future Strategies

Despite the economic hardship and the unstable political situation, the conference

succeeded in engaging different stakeholders at national level (journalists, editors,

publishers, civil society groups and the state). Some good initiatives and examples of best

practices were shared. The discussion led to the following conclusions and

recommendations:

1. Economic crisis – Participants highlighted the fact that the economic crisis has

taken its toll on quality journalism in Greece and is affecting media’s capacity

when reporting on minority groups.

2. Better collaboration between journalists and publishers – Journalists struggle

to follow the ethical codes if what editors and publishers demand is contradictory

to the code. Publishers and editors should adhere to the ethical codes and

responsibilities shared by journalists.

3. The challenge of new media – There is a need to integrate the new media into the

current regulatory framework in order to maintain the standard of journalism. It

was pointed out that the new media is increasingly abused by both professional

and amateur journalists and editors to incite hatred and express extreme views

because it currently lacks regulation.

4. A diverse source of information – Journalists and editors should always present

a diverse source of information and quote the relevant groups as frequent as

possible.

5. Better the regulatory framework – Participants call for a better regulatory

framework that can regulate both private and public media. Private media should

share the same responsibilities and requirement as those of public media.

6. Research & terminology – There is a lack of research and fact-checking being

done by journalists. This is partly due to the economic pressured faced by

journalists. The other reason is that discriminatory terminologies such as “Gypsy”,

“Pomaks” are continued to be used to refer to certain minority groups. This leads

to the next point – the need for more education and training.

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7. Education and training –There is a need for more training among the media

professionals on ethnic minority, migration and religious issues, as well as

national and European law on human rights, discrimination and freedom of

expression. More education and training opportunities should also be created for

journalists from minority background.

8. Funding – Current economic crisis contributed to the declining journalism

standard and more sensational journalism emerged. There is a need to rethink

about the funding system in journalism.

9. State policy – The state should institute measures for combating discrimination

and racism.

Yuk Lan Wong

30 June 2011, Brussels

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IV. Annexes

1 Conference Agenda

«ETHICAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE»

A Campaign to Fight Discrimination through Freedom of Expression

and the Highest Professional Standards of Journalism

C O N F E R E N C E 14 & 15 June 2011

ESIEMTH Conference Hall, Thessaloniki

PROGRAMME – THEMATIC SESSIONS

TUESDAY 14 JUNE 2011

08.45 – 09.15 REGISTRATION

09.15 – 09.30 WELCOME ADDRESS

Christina Chaleplidou, Vice-President of ESIEMTH

09.30 – 9.45 THE STATE’S POINT OF VIEW

George Petalotis, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Government

Spokesperson (via webcast)

09.45 - 11.00 The Ethical Journalism Initiative

Moderator: Yannis Kotsifos, ESIEMTH Executive Director

Key speakers:

Yuk Lan Wong, European Federation of Journalists

Milica Pesic. Media Diversity Institute

Sejal Parmar, Article 19

Speakers:

Natassa Bozini, board member of the Panhellenic Federation of Journalists’

Unions (POESY)

Hasan Badawi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Ancient Greek, Roman,

Byzantine, and Medieval History

“The Journalistic word and the timeless human values”

Vasilis Soliopoulos, Journalist, ESIEMTH

Front pages and TV news: The aftermath of a murder”

11.00– 11.45 Journalists’ Unions and Journalism Ethics

Journalists provide their own perspective on issues of discrimination and examine

the efficacy of the Journalism Code of Ethics.

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Moderator: Anastasios Fokianides, ESIEMTH Secretary-General

Key speakers:

Evi Demiri, journalist, board member of the Greek National Council for Radio and

Television (NCRTV)

Nikos Aslanides, member of the ESIEMTH Ethics Board

Pavlos Nerantzis, journalist, Director of ERT-3 Radio

11.45 – 12.15 COFFEE BREAK (Fourth Floor – ESIEMTH Terrace)

“The lands we left behind”

Showing unpublished photographs from the war fronts in Iraq, Afghanistan and

Lebanon. The material belongs to a refugee who now resides in Thessaloniki.

12.15 – 14.00 The European framework and the Greek reality

This section explores the various political, legal and institutional aspects of the

European framework against discrimination, while it also showcases the most

recent national developments in terms of government policy and institutions

affecting media conduct.

Moderator: Stratis Mavraganis, ESIEMTH Legal Counsel

12.15-13.15 Key speakers:

Andreas Takis, Secretary General of Migration Policy, Ministry of Interior,

Decentralisation and E-government

Vasilis Karydis, Deputy Ombudsman for Human Rights, Professor of

Criminological Sciences and Immigration Policy, University of the Peloponnese

Nikos Paraskevopoulos, Dean of the Law Faculty of the Aristotle University of

Thessaloniki

Yianna Panagopoulou, First Vice-President, Thessaloniki Bar Association

Konstantinos Tsitselikis, Assistant Professor, University of Macedonia

Kalliopi Chainoglou UNESCO Chair of Intercultural Policy, Lecturer of

International and European Institutions, University of Macedonia

13.15-14.00

Speakers:

Ioannis Manoledakis, Professor Emeritus at the Aristotle University of

Thessaloniki, Corresponding Member of the Academy of Athens Nicholas Kountouris, Political Scientist, PhD, Institut d'études politiques d’Aix-

en Provence (France)

Ioanna Kostopoulou, student, Mass Media and Journalism Department

14.00 – 15.00 LUNCH

15.00 – 16.30 Immigration waves and journalism

This section opens the debate on the impact borne onto journalism by the massive

emigration wave to Greece of recent years.

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Moderator: Despina Syrri, Sociologist – researcher at the University of

Macedonia

15.00-15.50 Key speakers:

Costis Papaioannou, President of the Greek National Commission for Human

Rights

Antonis Spathis, Office of the UNHCR in Greece

George Tsiakalos, Professor, Department of Primary Education, Aristotle

University of Thessaloniki

Vasilis Premidis, Journalist, city of Orestiada

Yannis Sidiropoulos, Journalist, city of Xanthi

15.50-16.30

This session will examine changes noted in multicultural education, refugee

reception and cultural diversity, while it will also address the journalists’ stance in

this shifting landscape.

Speakers

Roula Tsokalidou: Assistant Professor, Department of Early Childhood

Education, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Evi Markou: Polydromo group for bilingualism and multiculturalism in education

and society

Andromachi Besiri, Arsis Youth Support Group

Nikos Nikisianis, Antiracist Initiative

16.30 – 17.00 COFFEE BREAK

17.00 – 20.00 Human Rights: Flagrant violations and subtleties

This section features delegates of relevant organizations and individuals of

various ethnicities who were introduced to the European environment in Greece.

Concurrently, representatives of ethnic and religious groups who have a long-

standing history in Greece present their own perspective on discrimination.

Moderator: Christos Zafiris, Vice-President of ESIEMTH’s Cultural Foundation

Key speakers:

Nikos Zaikos: Assistant Professor of International Law, University of Western

Macedonia “Anti-semitism in the Press: Legal dimensions”

Sami Karabougioukoglou, Journalist from the city of Komotini

Chripsime Charoutanian, Chief Editor of Azat Or, Armenian language daily

newspaper published in Athens

Iris Hajdinaj, Secretary General - Association of Albanian Immigrants “Mother

Tereza”

Roxanne Kostatziki, Attorney at Law

Eleni Diafotidou, Publisher of Empros newspaper in Xanthi

21.00 DINNER

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WEDNESDAY 15 JUNE 2011

14.00 – 14.30 BUFFET LUNCH (ESIEMTH Fourth Floor)

14.30-15.45 Journalists in Action: How we can work together

This section examines best practices adopted in other European countries and

utilizes the experiences of numerous journalists, in order to arrive at more

expansive initiatives and collaborations with international organizations and

NGOs.

Moderator: Lazaros Chatzinakos, Journalist, ESIEMTH

Key speakers:

Takis Kampylis, Director General of «Athina 9,84» radio station

Filios Stagos, Director General of Municipal Enterprise of Information,

Entertainment and Communication – Thessaloniki (TV100 and FM100)

Kaki Balli, Journalist, Aggelioforos newspaper

Panos Polyzoides, Journalist «Vima FM»

Yannis Boutselis, Attorney at Law, Journalist

15.45 – 17.00 New Media: The Internet challenge

In the new landscape being formed by the social media, we will seek the

journalists’ input in addressing extremist content published on the Internet,

perpetuating discrimination and racist points of view. The session also examines

cases where the New Media shed light on instances of racist behaviours and

resulted in political reactions.

Moderator: Vasilis Kontogoulidis, ESIEMTH Board Member

Key speakers:

Natassa Bozini, board member of the Panhellenic Federation of Journalists’

Unions (POESY)

Nikos Sotiriadis, President of ΕΡΤ-3

Nikos Moumouris, Journalist, director of enet.gr

Takis Lainas, Journalist, Reporter.gr

Andreas Panagopoulos, Journalist, Blogger

17.00 – 17.15 COFFEE BREAK

17.15 – 18.15 Southern Europe: Are there common journalistic answers?

This section attempts to diagnose the impact borne onto Southern Europe by the

subverted regimes in North Africa and the tension in the Middle East, coupled by

the worsening economic crisis in Greece. The section explores the journalists’

level of knowledge and awareness for these issues.

Moderator: Pantelis Savidis, Journalist

Key speakers:

Ioannis Mazis, professor of Geopolitics, University of Athens

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Phoebus Apostolopoulos, Geopolitical analyst

Aref Alobeid, PhD, Department of Political Science and History, Panteion

University. Teacher at the Hellenic Army Academy.

18.15 – 19.15 Refugees tell their own stories

Refugees unfold their stories of their travel to Greece and present their own

picture of Europe and its structures.

Key Speakers:

Antonis Spathis, Office of the UNHCR in Greece

Efi Gelastopoulou, Social worker, Greek Council for Refugees, Thessaloniki

Bureau

George Daphnis, Attorney at Law, Greek Council for Refugees

19.15-21.00 OPEN DISCUSSION - CONCLUSIONS

This session will give the opportunity to all the participants to contribute to the

conference with their comments and recommendations.

The working languages of the conference are Greek and English (with simultaneous interpretation).

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2 Questionnaire

A total number of 18 participants answered the questionnaire below.

Ethical Journalism Initiative Evaluation Questionnaire

Please answer the following questions and select the appropriate answers.

Name: ___________________________________________________________

Job title: _________________________________________________________

Organisation:

________________________________________________________________

1. What do you think of the preparation of the conference?

1) Excellent

15/18

2) Good 3/18

3) Average

4) Poor

5) Very poor

2. Was there sufficient space for participants to contribute to

the discussion

1) Yes 16/18

2) No 2/18

3. Did you receive sufficient information regarding the

conference?

1) Too much

1/18

2) Sufficient

16/18

3) Too little

4) No

information

4. What do you expect from the conference?

1) Nothing

2) Networking

4/18

3) Exchange

ideas and

experience

17/18

4) Contribute to

the debate

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4/18

5. Has your expectation been met? 1) Yes 18/18

2) No

6. Do you think the conference will change the way your

report/see issues on race, ethnicity and religious groups? If

yes, how?

Reasons:

1. To find more sources to support the fact

2. To change with the good knowledge of the issue

3.

1) Yes 5/18

2) No 11/18

7. According to your knowledge, what are the minority

communities in Greece? Please name at least three

communities.

1)

1) refugees

2) Immigratns

3) Roma

4) Homosexual

5) Pomaks

(Bulgarian)

6) New poor

7) Albanian

8) Muslims

9) Turks-Muslim

10) Macedonian

11) Atheists

12) Non-Greek

speakers

13) Africans

14) Jewish

15) Armenian

16) Arabs

17) The

Philippines

8. In your opinion, how frequent does the media cover issues

on race, ethnicity and religious groups in Greece?

1) Very frequent

2) Frequent

5/18

3) Average 9/18

4) Rarely 3/18

5) Never

9. What do you think of the media coverage of issues on race,

ethnicity and religious groups in Greece?

1) Positive

2) Mostly

positive 2/18

3) Neutral 5/18

4) Negative 8/18

5) Mostly

negative 5/18

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10. For journalists/editors only

a. How often do you report on issues related to race,

ethnicity and religious groups in Greece?

b. How often do you quote them?

a.1) always

2) sometimes

7/18

3) seldom 5/18

4) never

b.1) always 1/18

2) sometimes

5/18

3) seldom 3/18

4) never

11. In your view, what are the responsibilities and the role of

the media in these matters? (Combating discrimination and

promoting equality and diversity as well as intercultural and

interreligious understanding and dialogue)

1) combat

discrimination

7/18

2) raise public

awareness 6

3) report the fact

12/18

4) achieve social

justice 2/18

5) Others 1/18

12. In your opinion, are negative stereotypes of individuals and

groups being furthered by the media?

- populism/lack of a less greek-centre thought

- using the wrong terminology

- inadequate coverage of the issue

- poor knowledge of the minority groups

1) Yes. Reasons:

12/18

2) No 2/18

13. What is your view on the ways you can improve reporting on

issues concerning race and ethnicity or religion?

- Being aware of the power of the words and avoid

discriminating others

- The impact of the reality and daily life of the group

- Positive discrimination

- Banning ethnic profiling

- More journalists coming from the minority communities

- Raise awareness among journalists

- Combat stereotypes of the minority groups by reporting

the facts in an objective way

- More transparency from the authorities

14. What is your knowledge of laws and policies at the EU level

which prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race and

1) Excellent

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ethnicity or religion? 2/18

2) Very good

5/18

3) Good 10/18

4) Poor 1/18

5) Very poor

15. What is your knowledge of the following particular aspects

of EU law? (For each of them, please tell me on a scale of 1

to 5 how much you know. 1 stands for excellent ,2 very good

knowledge, 3 good, 4 poor, 5 very poor: )

a. provisions of the Charter of Fundamental Rights for

the EU concerning non-discrimination (Articles 20-

26);

b. Article 19 of the Treaty on European Union giving

the EU competence to take appropriate action to

combat discrimination on the grounds of, inter alia,

race, ethnicity and religion;

c. the EU Racial Equality Directive (2000/43/EC)

against discrimination on grounds of race or ethnic

origin in areas including employment and training,

education, social protection and access to goods and

services; the Employment Framework Directive

(2000/78/EC) against discrimination at work on

grounds of, inter alia, religion?

(a) 1 2 3 4 5

2 2 12 1 1

(b) 1 2 3 4 5

2 1 9 5

(c) 1 2 3 4 5

2 3 8 2 1

16. What is your knowledge of similar laws and policies at the

national level?

1) Excellent

2/18

2) Very good

5/18

3) Good 7/18

4) Poor 2/18

5) Very poor

1/18

17. Do you know of any bodies or organisations which aim to

promote equality? If YES, please name the organisation.

Name of the organisation:

1. Many NGOs

2. UNESCO

3. Many others

Yes 9/18

No 3/18

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This conference is hosted by the Journalists' Union of Macedonia and

Thrace Daily Newspapers with the financial support from the European

Union's Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme.

4. Helsinki

5. Anti-racist organisations

6. Children’s smile

7. Anti-racism initiative

8. Ombudsman

9. Council of Europe