Abstract
The European Association of Daily Newspapers in Minority and Regional Languages (MIDAS) was formed four years ago following the proposal by editors-in-chief from more than 10 language communities throughout Europe in order to coordinate their strategies and to stimulate cooperation in the areas of information exchange, printing, and marketing; to organise campaigns to promote its member publications; and to obtain support from EU institutions for minority languages and their print media. 29 newspapers from Spain to Finland and Northern Ireland to Romania have already joined MIDAS. Such publications play a crucial role in the life of minority language communities. They provide the vital daily services that national newspapers offer in majority languages, but this is not their only function. They also often protect and promote marginalised cultures which in turn help to maintain and extend the scope of their written languages. These publications make minorities visible to the majority, which often remains ignorant of them. The European dimension opens up opportunities for cooperation between minority daily newspapers throughout the continent. National states still violate minority rights and the freedom of the press, as in the case of Egunkaria in the Basque Country. MIDAS, as a network, intervenes to avoid all kinds of violence in solving minority issues. To serve these functions properly, MIDAS provides opportunities such as study visit programmes for journalists in order to develop knowledge through exchange of information and report on minority protection and cultural diversity in Europe. Minorities must find a peaceful way to get their voices heard. The existence of quality independent journalism is a fundamental principle of our daily work. In acknowledgement of those journalists who set journalistic standards and make particular contributions to cultural diversity and the protection of minority languages, MIDAS awards the Otto von Habsburg Prize and the Midas Prize for Journalism.