June 1998

(Comments in italics are made by the GHM)

4/6/1998: Nea, page 46

Eight Out of Ten Housewives Watch Whispers of the Heart

The data presented by AGB Hellas show that women, mostly housewives from 25 up to 45 years of age, make up the majority of fans of the Whispers of the Heart serial. For the third time in the history of Greek private television, housewives seem to be attracted by a love story "against all odds."

A neutral report which analyzes TV ratings. Still, it is very important for the readers to see such results which make them realize how important is the role of the mass media in the formation and reinforcement of stereotypes.

10/6/19989: Eleftherotypia [Stratis Balaskas], page 9

Roma Destiny

A 14-year-old Roma boy was harassed by a policeman in the central market of Mytilini. The Roma did not obey to the policeman’s orders to stop selling paper tissues to the passers by and leave the market at once. Reportedly, this is not the first time that such an incident takes place in Mytilini. The journalist asks the Greek Minister of Public Order to investigate the case. ‘We may have forgotten that last year was the Year Against Racism,’ comments S. Balaskas ‘but we have not, at least some of us, forgotten the Minister’s statements during the celebration of that year.’

A very positive report criticizing police brutality against the Roma.

11/6/1998: Eleftherotypia [M. Dede], page 51

Roma Modernization

Representatives of seventeen legally recognized Roma associations from all over Greece founded the Panhellenic Federation of Roma Associations. It is the first time that a national meeting of Roma representatives concludes with the foundation of a Panhellenic collective organ, representing the majority of Roma communities. Similar attempts in the past have not been fruitful at all.

Some of the representatives gave interviews. They all recognize the need for this federation claiming that the lack of a collective organ working for the interests of Roma used to be a good alibi for the state’s inertia. According to them, the main problems of the Roma communities are illiteracy, poverty and social exclusion. They all seem to be optimistic for the future of their cooperation and the outcome of their efforts.

A positive report.

13/6/1998: Nea [Christos Ierides], page 27

AGB Hellas statistics show that some 1.5 million TV viewers watch Whispers of the Heart. It seems that the highest rating program on Greek television attracts the attention mostly of the inhabitants in the country, rather than those of the two major Greek cities: Athens and Thessaloniki.

A neutral report, giving data about the highest rating programs in Greece.

14/6/1998: Vima [N. Rougheri], page 65

The undersecretary of the Ministry of the Interior, L. Papadimas, presented the governmental social ‘framework of support’ for the Greek Roma. According to Mr. Papadimas, this is a national program (first announced by Prime Minister Simitis himself) aiming at the combating of poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and social exclusion of the Roma. Reestablishment of some camps, creation of new ones, infrastructures, professional orientation, cultural programs are only some of the dimensions of the Project’s practical implementation.

A positive report in favor of the initiative.

15/6/1998: Paratiritis [Thanassis Antoniou], page 1, 13

Roma Education

The special educational project concerned with several minority groups in Greece (e.g. Turks and Roma), launched and financed by the EU, is running into the second year of its implementation. The University of Ioannina, together with ten research teams, coordinates the part of the project dedicated to research on the Roma language, culture and educational needs. A pilot program previewed the inclusion of some additional courses in various mixed schools. Some of these courses are: Roma geographical distribution, history of the Roma culture and health education. Primary school teachers attended seminars and lectures which were tailored in such a way so that they learn more about the Roma communities in Greece in order to facilitate the Roma children’s adjustment to the Greek educational system. During the first year of the Project the ten research teams came across some interesting findings regarding the prejudices of non-Roma related to Roma, as well as Roma prejudice related to school. The coordinators of the project work more for the enrichment of the school curriculum with various Roma cultural elements than for the institutionalization of "special schools." They think that intercultural education should be the rule and not the exception in the Greek educational system.

A very positive report, putting a stress on the educational needs of the Roma population in Greece. It is openly in favor of the principles and the goals of this particular initiative.

15/6/1998: Eleftherotypia [M. Dede], page 58

The Panhellenic Federation of Roma Associations is a fact. In spite of some initial problems, the final result was the foundation for the first time in Greece of a collective organ working for the interests of Roma.

A positive report, openly in favor of the initiative.

15/6/1998: Nea, page 22

The incident took place around 2 a.m. outside the cemetery of Megara. While stopping for inspection a suspicious-looking white car, officers from the local police station were shot at by the driver and the passengers in the car, who tried to avoid the police inspection. The policemen shot back at the people in the car and one of them was deadly injured. The others disappeared leaving the victim behind them. It is highly likely that the dead man (who had not been identified at the time of writing) is Roma. The car had been stolen two days before the incident from the town of Kamatero. The police confiscated the car and the gun with which the victim set fire. The victim must have been the driver of the stolen car.

The report does not go into further comments, nor does it check the policemen’s version about the incident. Although the victim’s identity was not clear yet, the newspaper stressed that he was Roma. Thus the readers’ minds form yet another stereotype: these were Roma thieves who had been looking for trouble. Still, on the next day (16/6), it is reported that the victim was not Roma but an Albanian illegal immigrant. This confusion points to some very interesting facts: 1) It seems that Roma and Albanian immigrants are the usual suspects; 2) It is a very common practice of the police to stop and check cars in the middle of nowhere; 3) Many Roma must have been victims of similar checks.

18/6/1998: Eleftherotypia, page 52

The Doctors of the World NGO gave a press conference at which it presented the outcome of its work with the Roma communities in Greece. It was mentioned that approximately one third of the Roma population lives in unbearable living conditions: without toilets, running water, electricity, and sewage systems. The organization also spoke about the high incidence of infant mortality (60%) and the dramatic spread of infectious diseases such as Hepatitis. According to the organization’s data, out of the 250,0000 Greek Roma, 80,000 live in shelters. Only a very low percentage of the Roma children go to school and a large number of them suffer from diseases.

A very positive report, trying not only to inform but also to make the Greek public and the Greek authorities sympathetic for the plight of the Roma - their social exclusion and the problems they encounter on an everyday basis.

20/6/1998: Eleftheros Typos, page 28

Eleftherotypia, page 49

Roma Attack Three Policemen

The incident took place in the Roma camp of Ova Tsesme in the town of Serres. The police went to the camp to investigate a breach of the peace. When the Roma saw the policemen entering their camp, they started insulting and beating the officers without any reason. Three policemen ended up in the local hospital. The Roma campers who were involved in the affray disappeared and the police are now looking for them.

Neutral reports, without any further comments on the incident.

21/6/1998: Epohi, page 22

DROM, an NGO fighting against the social exclusion of Roma, gave a press conference in the city of Thessaloniki at which it presented the hygiene problems of several marginal communities in Greece. The organization spoke about its project for the immediate vaccination of Roma campers, of immigrants, as well as of prisoners, arguing that these are the most vulnerable groups in regard to Hepatitis B. During the press conference, it was mentioned that approximately 10% of the Greek Roma, mostly nomads who travel all around Greece, are carriers of Hepatitis B. The camps of Zefiri, Ano Liossia, Halandri, Alikarnassos and Menemeni were given as examples of the dramatic spread of Hepatitis B among the Roma population of Greece. The organization urged the government to seriously consider the immediate implementation of the suggested project, arguing that it is the state’s responsibility to protect the citizens’ fundamental rights and provide them with all the necessary means for a decent and healthy life.

A very positive report dealing with the grave hygiene problems of the Roma population in Greece. It tries to convince the readers that Roma are entitled to a better life and that the Greek state has to work more for the respect of Roma rights.

22/6/1998: Nea, page 14

Christos Lambrou is the President of the temporary administration of the Panhellenic Federation of Roma Associations. While interviewed about the perspectives of a better life for the Roma in Greece, he says that he is optimistic and that positive thinking is always the key to success. He admits that racism is always present when it comes to dealing with Roma. Still, when asked whether he is ‘Rom or Gypsy?’ he only says, ‘Greek.’

A neutral report, one of the few interviews of Roma people in the Greek press.

23/6/1998: Eleftheros Typos, page 36

The last episode of Whispers of the Heart ends with the Roma shelters leveled to the ground and with a question. The bulldozers of the municipality are destroying the camp, while the Roma residents are trying to save their properties. Somewhere in the middle of a fight between the Roma campers and the police, the Roma heroine answers the question of her beloved with another question: "Can we live together for the rest of our life?" "You think we can?" This is the enigmatic end that the director of the serial, M. Manoussakis, chose for his love story. He wanted the TV viewers themselves to imagine the rest. "People wanted the protagonists together, wanted to see them living their love against all odds. I didn’t like a ‘crystal clear’ end, meaning that I wanted the viewers to be troubled by this story. I wouldn’t like to think that they can be bored, while bringing to their minds a conventional happy end. I wouldn’t like a ‘happily lived together ever after’ closing scene. My story was not a fairy tale…"

Both Mr. Manoussakis and the reporter try to provoke the public in a very productive way. This motive makes the report a positive one. Viewers have to think over the story, to compare TV reality with everyday reality and to finally come up with their own conclusions. Sensitivity presupposes both mental and emotional involvement. This is the first step to the reconstruction of every person’s subjective reality, which leads to the destruction of stereotypes. During this process one alters their image of the others.

24/6/1998: Eleftheros Typos, page 42

Whispers of the Heart against the Mondial

AGB Hellas statistics show that around 1.5 million TV viewers watched the last episode of Whispers of the Heart. The high scores of the serial prove its undeniable impact on the Greek audience. It is worthwhile mentioning that the last three episodes of Whispers of the Heart competed with the World Football Championship with great success. The famous serial was on the top, while world football remained far behind.

21/6/1998: Vima, page 42

24/6/1998: Eleftherotypia [K. Tzedakis], page 41

Ethnos, page 41

An authentic Roma fiesta is about to take place in the Lycabitos theatre. The Romanian Taraf de Haidouks group -one of the most famous traditional music groups in the world- is giving a concert. Roma traditional songs from all over the Balkan Peninsula are going to create a unique atmosphere, bringing Roma culture closer to the Greek audience.