CONCLUSIONS FROM INTERVIEWS WITH MEDIA PROFESSIONALS
Research Findings on Media Practices and Ethical Reporting
The research we conducted aimed to examine current journalism practices, identify key issues in media reporting, assess the state of discrimination and human rights violations, and propose concrete measures to improve the media landscape and reduce discrimination. The primary focus was to determine how discrimination manifests in media content, the most common challenges journalists face, and how to enhance professional standards and ethical journalism practices.
Methodology and Research Process
The research was conducted in September 2024 and was based on a combination of investigative methods. We employed three main methodological techniques to ensure comprehensive data collection and a deeper understanding of the issues:
Focus Groups
We organized focus groups with journalists from various media outlets to gain insights into their daily practices and challenges. These discussions facilitated an open dialogue among participants, allowing for the identification of shared problems and trends in reporting. Journalists spoke candidly about the pressures they face—whether political, editorial, or commercial—and how these pressures affect their ability to report impartially and ethically.
Key topics discussed in the focus groups included:
- The journalistic writing process and decision-making regarding topic approaches
- Working conditions for journalists, including editorial and political pressures
- The role of journalists in either reducing or perpetuating discrimination through media content
- Journalists’ experiences with fact-checking and information sources
- The perception of media responsibility in promoting or violating human rights
Case Study Analysis
The second part of the research involved analyzing four journalistic cases that were selected as examples of controversial media reports where human rights violations or discrimination were evident. These cases provided an empirical framework to assess how such issues manifest in practice, the most common forms of discrimination, and how marginalized groups—such as the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities—are portrayed.
The case study analysis helped identify:
- The use of language in media texts that could potentially promote discrimination
- How marginalized groups are represented in the media and the impact on public perception
- The role of sensationalism and superficial reporting in creating harmful narratives about human rights
- The structure of media content and editorial choices that either contribute to or reduce discrimination
Journalist Survey
To gain a broader perspective, we conducted a survey among journalists from different regions of the country. The questionnaire covered key aspects of journalists’ daily work, including:
- The article-writing process and fact-checking procedures
- The pressures they face from editors, media owners, or political structures
- Their perception of the media’s role in society, particularly regarding human rights protection
- Views on discrimination in the media and ways to improve reporting practices
Project Implementation
This research is part of the project “Media Monitoring – Tracking Ethical Reporting on Human Rights Violations,” implemented by CEDEM in partnership with SOCEN, with financial support from the European Union and co-financing from the Ministry of Public Administration.
