Description
The Convention of Media Organizations is an informal coalition of associations of journalists and other professionals from the media, unions and trade unions created in 2002, that aims to consolidate the media sector. The project aims to enhance the abilities of the media organizations to support the moral and legal interest of the profession, as well as that of the general public, on a market deeply affected by the economic crisis and the deterioration of the media credibility. The project includes meetings of the COM members aimed to promote and facilitate the journalists’ participation in the elaboration and implementation of public policies regarding the media. The training sessions proposed by the project will increase the level of the journalists’ professional and legal knowledge, while the elaboration of a strategic development plan will secure the efficient functioning of the coalition in future. Last but not least, the Center for Independent Journalism will improve, with the help of its partner – CENTRAS, its capacity to mobilize the stakeholders and represent the profession.
Summary of project results
Given the altered political environment, many media outlets decided to lighten the ethics and deontology standards, and within their role as agents of public interest, they started acting more as an instrument of the politicians and less as one of the civil society. Media organisations that aimed at defending the principles of professional journalism found themselves in a complicated position, being asked to defend the moral and legal interest of the profession and the public with outdated means, while the economic interest and beneficiaries dictated differently. The activities of the Convention of Media Organizations (COM) lacked funding, so the members could not meet, this having a direct impact on the strategy, the coherence of the public statements and the cohesion of its members. After 5 years during which COM had almost no public reactions regarding the problems of the media market, nor any COM gatherings were organized, as part of this project, COM members elaborated 20 public positions on various topics related to freedom of expression. Three meetings of the convention were organised, the members adopted some strategic directions and new members were welcomed. The advocacy activities had an impact at legislative level. As part of this project, two publications were produced – an analysis of Romanian mass-media's situation in 2014-2015 and a review of Romanian legislation and jurisprudence pertaining freedom of expression, which are useful tools for journalists. The main benefits of the project were that COM was revitalised and also empowered as an umbrella organization to have a strong and credible voice among media professionals.
Summary of bilateral results