| Scattered throughout Europe, Roma still sometimes labeled with the derogatory term gypsies are socially, economically and politically marginalized and discriminated against in all countries and societies. This holds particularly true in the former socialist countries of South-Eastern and Central Europe, where large parts of the approximately 12 million Roma today live. | 
| In these countries, the political systems and the societies have developed strong negative stereotypes towards Roma, resulting in daily discrimination and frequent violence. In the mainstream media, Roma issues are mostly presented in an openly biased manner if at all. In the face of such hostile attitudes, and profiting from the emerging political liberties since the late 1980's, Roma communities and media professionals have begun to establish their own Roma media. Today, there exist in Eastern Europe a few dozen radio stations, several TV stations, and two news agencies run by Roma some of them seasoned professionals formerly employed by state-run media, others young idealists who enthusiastically explore new ways to express themselves and communicate with their equals and to pass the message across to the mainstream media and societies. Roma media play an important role in shaping the way Roma perceive themselves, their culture and traditions, their social and economic situation, discrimination and their rights. First and foremost, Roma media serve as a means of self-assertion for a whole people who, for many centuries, have been brutally oppressed. Furthermore, Roma media provide an invaluable means for the preservation of Roma language and culture, while at the same time fostering communication within a larger circle of Roma communities striving for emancipation and inclusion as equal citizens. Finally, by supplying mainstream media with quality features related to Roma issues, they can influence mainstream media coverage and Gadje (non-Roma) society in a positive sense. The Swiss-based Medienhilfe and the Open Society Institute Network Media Program (OSI-NMP) in Budapest have both supported the establishment and development of Roma media in Eastern and Southeastern Europe over the past ten years. The two organizations have reached an agreement for the coordination of their support by establishing a program and a common fund. The support program provides direct assistance to Roma broadcast media (radio and TV stations) representing key local Roma community outlets operating in the Romani language. For the regions with significant Roma population, which do not yet have their own Roma broadcast media outlets, non-Roma media with programs in Romani language are included. In the countries where neither of the two exists, initiatives of local Roma journalists to establish their own community media are supported. As for Roma news agencies, existing providers are strengthened and the establishing of further agencies is assisted. | 
| | The assistance includes: Program development Training in journalistic skills, management and marketing as well as in the use of new meia technologies for networking purposes Equipment necessary for media performance that fulfills standard technical requirements | Parallel to these initiatives, efforts are made to put these media organizations in regular contact and ensure mutual cooperation in order to strengthen the program exchange and networking. The site (rrommedia.net) serves as the portal and platform for networking. |
