Wednesday, 27 Aug 2025
America Age
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Font ResizerAa
America AgeAmerica Age
Search
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
America Age > Blog > World > Radio station elevates voices of Hungary’s Roma minority
World

Radio station elevates voices of Hungary’s Roma minority

Enspirers | Editorial Board
Share
Radio station elevates voices of Hungary’s Roma minority
SHARE

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Intellectuals, broadcasters and cultural figures from Hungary’s Roma community are using the airwaves to reframe narratives and elevate the voices of the country’s largest minority group.

Radio Dikh — a Romani word that means “to see” — has broadcast since January on FM radio in Hungary’s capital, Budapest. Its 11 programs focus on Roma music, culture and the issues faced by their community, and aim to recast the way the often disadvantaged minority group is perceived by broader society.

“Roma people in general don’t have enough representation in mainstream media … and even if they do, it’s oftentimes not showing the right picture or the picture that is true to the Roma community,” said Bettina Pocsai, co-host of a show that focuses on social issues.

Radio Dikh, she said, aims to “give voice to Roma people and make sure that our voice is also present in the media and that it shows a picture that we are satisfied with.”

Some estimates suggest that Roma in Hungary number nearly 1 million, or around 10% of the population. Like their counterparts throughout Europe, many of Hungary’s Roma are often the subjects of social and economic exclusion, and face discrimination, segregation and poverty.

Adding to their marginalization are stereotypes about Roma roles in society, where they are often associated with their traditional occupations as musicians, dancers, traders and craftspeople that go back centuries.

These expectations have limited the opportunities for Roma people — especially Roma women — to participate and develop their skills in other fields, said Szandi Minzari, host of a women’s radio program.

“We are stereotyped by the majority because they tend to believe that we are very good at singing, dancing, speaking about girly subjects and raising the kids, and that’s us. But it’s much more,” Minzari said.

Programming specifically for women runs for two hours every day, and Minzari’s show “Zsa Shej” — which means “Let’s go, girls” in the Romani language — focuses on current events and global topics like climate change and other social issues.

Many women in traditional Roma families are highly dependent on male family members, Minzari said, and including them in conversations about topics of public interest is meant to serve as an inspiration for them to engage with a different world.

“We find it very important to speak about heavy subjects … because we are much more than speaking about nail polish and hairdos and Botox,” she said, adding that she would like female listeners to come to the conclusion that “The problem is not me. I want more from life and these girls are doing it, and I can do the same.”

Radio Dikh’s motto, “About Roma, not just for Roma,” reflects the conviction of the hosts that the station can act as a bridge between Roma and non-Roma Hungarians, and can break narratives that tend to associate their community with poverty and other social problems.

In addition to co-hosting her own show, Pocsai in her free time guides informative tours in Budapest that aim to correct misconceptions about Roma people to both Hungarians and foreign tourists. In the city’s 8th district, which has a high concentration of Roma residents, Pocsai gave a presentation to a group of visitors from the United States.

In introducing the Roma’s more than 600-year history in Hungary and challenging preconceptions, Pocsai said she aimed to make sure that future generations of Hungarian Roma will not have to go through the challenges she faced as a child.

“I want to change how the Roma people are viewed in society,” Pocsai said. “I want to make sure there is enough light on the values that the Roma community provided through history to the non-Roma society.”

Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Small wins buoy Ukraine; West says Russians losing momentum Small wins buoy Ukraine; West says Russians losing momentum
Next Article Prominent Israeli peace negotiator Uri Savir dies at 69 Prominent Israeli peace negotiator Uri Savir dies at 69

Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!

Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
LinkedInFollow
MediumFollow
QuoraFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Popular Posts

BAFTA TV Awards: Winners Including Steve McQueen Speak Up for Channel 4, BBC

The sun is shining, the stars have made their way down the red carpet and…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

‘The Crown’ Creator and Cast Defend Show Against Backlash Over ‘Exploiting’ Royals and Diana’s Death: The Show Is Not Unkind

“The Crown” creator Peter Morgan and his new cast members Elizabeth Debicki and Dominic West…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Olympic Committee Strips U.S. Gymnast Jordan Chiles of her Bronze Medal

The decision is in on the destiny of Jordan Chiles' bronze medal ... and it…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Ukraine, Russia meet on Belarusian border; UN reports 102 civilian deaths: live updates

Ukrainian and Russian delegations are meeting at the Belarusian border for their first direct talks since…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

You Might Also Like

Porepunkah capturing replace: alleged gunman fled with ‘powerful firearms’ and ‘understands bushcraft well’, police say
World

Porepunkah capturing replace: alleged gunman fled with ‘powerful firearms’ and ‘understands bushcraft well’, police say

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Trump says he desires ‘nothing less than 0m’ from Harvard as feud continues
World

Trump says he desires ‘nothing less than $500m’ from Harvard as feud continues

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Australia politics reside: PM says far-right extremists who consider they’re above the legislation a ‘real concern’; Marles meets Hegseth in DC
World

Australia politics reside: PM says far-right extremists who consider they’re above the legislation a ‘real concern’; Marles meets Hegseth in DC

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Trump threatens tariffs on international locations that ‘discriminate’ towards US tech
World

Trump threatens tariffs on international locations that ‘discriminate’ towards US tech

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
America Age
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


America Age: Your instant connection to breaking stories and live updates. Stay informed with our real-time coverage across politics, tech, entertainment, and more. Your reliable source for 24/7 news.

Company
  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?