Journalists from the Basilica Media Centre of the Romanian Patriarchate participated from November 10 to November 13 in a training course aimed at combating antisemitism, racism, xenophobia, and hate speech in the public sphere.
Organised by the Department for Interethnic Relations of the Romanian Government in collaboration with the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs, the course was addressed to journalists, editors, and presenters from the print and broadcast media of religious denominations and ethnic minorities in Romania.
Alongside the Basilica journalists, participants included representatives of the Doxologia Missionary Cultural Centre of the Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina, Radio Renașterea (the radio station of the Metropolis of Cluj, Maramureș, and Sălaj), as well as media professionals from the Roman Catholic Church and the Adventist Church.
Representatives of the Russian-Lipovan Community, the Union of Serbs in Romania, and the Union of Ukrainians in Romania were also present.
The course was moderated by Mr Dincer Geafer, Undersecretary of State at the Department for Interethnic Relations, who presented the institution’s activities and the objectives of the National Strategy for Preventing and Combating Antisemitism, Xenophobia, Radicalisation, and Hate Speech.
Participants were offered a comprehensive overview of the topic — from its historical and conceptual background to the state institutions responsible for countering speech that incites hatred on ethnic, national, or religious grounds, or other forms prohibited by law.
Journalists also learned about the European platform through which they can request assistance if they feel threatened or obstructed in carrying out their professional work.
Photo: Department for Interethnic Relations
