The Ombudsman has accused Greek media of perpetuating stereotypes and encouraging fear of the other, based on the media coverage of the four-year-old Maria who was found on a Roma gypsy camp in Farsala.
Additionally the Ombudsman argued that the media violated children rights by repeatedly publishing and broadcasting her image and other details of her private life. The media was also accused of making generalized arbitrary comments about an entire social group and disseminating racist stereotypes and beliefs.
The Ombudsman pointed out that there is a strict set of guidelines regarding the broadcast of information of minors that was not observed. To that end, the Ombudsman has suggested to the National Council for Radio and Television (ESR) and Journalist Federation ESIEA to take necessary steps to educate on the sensitive subject.
