The training program included discussions on how the media covers marginalized people, including representatives of the Roma community, and why stories about them are often ignored by the press. Elena Sirbu, journalist, president of the Platform of Roma Women "Romni" in Moldova and co-trainer of the program, presented examples and narratives about the Roma community in the public sphere that perpetuate stereotypes. E. Sirbu advises and encourages journalists to be empathetic and not to feed the public with prejudices, "Make sure that the headlines, quotes, pictures, graphics are relevant and do not reinforce prejudices and stereotypes, use language that does not blame Roma, and as often as possible address not only the cultural but also the social aspects of the Roma community."

The international expert Steven Youngblood, founding director of the Center for Global Peace Journalism at Park University in Parkville, Missouri (USA), placed reporting on Roma issues in the context of peace journalism principles. He stressed the importance of the link between peace journalism and diversity, "We can't just say we need peace. We need to promote and talk about peace, and it is peace journalism that builds bridges between communities, rejects propaganda, embraces diversity and gives a voice to the voiceless."  

The workshops for journalists were attended by special guests and Roma community leaders: Sergiu Bugai, Project Manager, National Association of Community Mediators, Maria Feraru, Community Mediator, Vladimir Suraru, PFR ROMNI Protection Officer, and Tatiana Luca, Radio Patrin staff, who discussed with journalists and participated in brainstorming activities to identify new ideas for materials and stories about the Roma community.

Mihai Isac, journalist, Karadeniz Press, one of the participants in the training, says that the event made it easier for him to meet people from the Roma community and to better understand how the media portrays the community and its problems: "The Roma community in the Republic of Moldova is one of the great unknowns for the media and further efforts are needed to understand it better. The presence of the Roma community in the Moldovan media needs to be increased in order to contribute to a better understanding between them and the majority population. The material should cover the problems of the community as well as the successes of the Roma. The fight against discrimination should be a priority for journalists, who can benefit from the support of civil society and representatives of the Roma community."

Observatorul de Nord’s reporter from Soroca Dorina Cioca learned new things about approaching issues related to the Roma community from the perspective of peace journalism principles. "For example, I learned how important it is to use inclusive and respectful language, to avoid stereotypes, and to give an authentic voice to members of the Roma community in our reporting," she says. Journalist Vadim Șterbate, from the same publication, also finds it useful to organize training sessions where journalists learn or are reminded how to approach Roma stories correctly without causing harm, "I have written stories and continue to write about Roma. I try to approach material about the Roma community regularly and fairly, and not in a negative context. But I believe that we should know more about them, for example, about historical events involving Roma or highlighting success stories from the Roma community."

The events were organized by the Association of Independent Press under the project "Active Citizens, Thriving Communities, Phase II," component "Journalists for Diversity and Inclusion: Accountability and Commitment," funded by the governments of Switzerland and Sweden.