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May 20, 2022

RIAS Media Prize Winners — Best Digital Video 2020 to NDR in Germany

RIAS Media Prize Winners — Bill Whitaker and “60 Minutes” on prison reform

CBS News’ “60 Minutes” and correspondent Bill Whitaker won the RIAS Media Prize once again in 2020 for their stirring report about prison reforms being enacted in Connecticut and how those reforms were inspired in part by looking across the Atlantic at Germany, the country’s treatment of prisoners and the emphasis placed on rehabilitation.

Below is a segment from the story aired in 2019 that the RIAS Media Prize Germany picked in 2020 as the Best TV story of the year. It was Whitaker’s second RIAS Media Prize in three years after a related story he did looking at German prisons won the 2017 RIAS Media Prize.

The RIAS Media Prize ceremony will be held in Berlin in early June for the first time since in 2019. The Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the annual awards ceremony in 2020 and 2021. An independent jury of journalists continued to pick winners in the television, radio and digital categories for German-American exchange program. A total of 17 winners from all three years 2020, 2021 and 2022 will be honored at the ceremony.

May 19, 2022

RIAS Media Prize Winners 2020-2022 — links to honored stories

The RIAS Media Prize ceremony will be held in Berlin in early June for the first time since in 2019. The Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the annual awards ceremony in 2020 and 2021. But an independent jury of journalists continued to pick winners in the television, radio and digital categories for German-American exchange program. A total of 17 winners from all three years 2020, 2021 and 2022 will be honored at the ceremony.

Here is the first in the series of winners that RIAS will be posting here on the www.riasberlin.org website. The 2019 report for several TV networks in Texas was done by Monica Quintero and David Wagner during their RIAS Berlin Commission fellowship, including interviews with far-right leaders such as Beatrix von Storch from the AfD party, Syrian refugee Faris Zakri, Deutsche Welle correspondent Frank Hoffmann, and New York Times correspondent Melissa Eddy. Their story won the “Best Fellow Award” in 2020.

May 3, 2022

Washington DC alumni chapter meets Goethe Institut

The Washington DC alumni chapter of the RIAS Berlin Commission had a get-together with the Goethe Institut in Washington recently at which American journalists and some of the staff of the Goethe Institut had the chance to talk about a variety of issues.

“We had the very best time ever with our RIAS friends – amazing people and journalists who’ve been to Germany with RIAS or who will head to Germany with RIAS this year,” Hütter said. “Our dear RIAS friends are always welcome to join us on our rooftop terrace at the Goethe-Institut in Washington. After this unforgettable Happy Hour, my heart was full from all of the wonderful conversations with these extraordinary people who keep the German-American friendship strong.”

The Goethe Institut and the RIAS Berlin Commission have been working together in recent years on the Big Ponder series. RIAS alumni have been among the contributors to the award-winning podcast series. Please write to: info@riasberlin.org for more information on the Big Ponder.

April 15, 2022

Impressions from German Students on ERP Program to the United States

A group of 15 journalism students and young journalists took part in a newly created three-week fellowship to the United States in March and April. The students, 10 of whom were on their first trip to the United States, spent a week together in New York meeting with American journalists, local and state political leaders such as New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, political activists such as Black Lives Matter leader Chivone Newsome, newsmakers like best-selling author and former Donald Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, community leaders, sports figures such as Jürgen Klinsmann and organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League and its director Scott Richman that works to stop hate crimes.

The German journalists also visited the NBC, Bloomberg and Vice newsrooms, the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem and the Hasidic Jewish section of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The German students, nine of whom are based in eastern Germany states, then visited eight different universities in the Midwest and Southwest for two weeks to learn more about journalism training and campus life in the heartland states of the United States: University of Oklahoma, Texas A&M, New Mexico State University, Arizona State University, Indiana University, Southern Illinois University, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and University of Minnesota.

The ERP program was created with support from the Transatlantic Program of the Federal Republic of Germany and was funded by the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the Federal Economy and Energy (BMWi) Ministry. Here are the impressions of the three-week program from the students:

Lara Jäkel, Free University Berlin  (Texas A&M)

If I had to name one take-away from the countless impressions of the RIAS program, it would be the enormous diversity of the United States. During our meetings and conversations in New York, we learned about the different perspectives and ideas that each of the guest speakers like Black Lives Matter NYC founder Chivona Newsome or former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen brought to the table. Along the way, we explored many parts of the city – from Harlem to the Hasidic Jewish quarter in Brooklyn – getting a sense of their very own history and characteristics. These experiences alone would have been enough to talk about for weeks – but the program had only just started. Leaving the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple behind, a nine-hour trip took me to College Station, Texas. Compared to New York, things couldn’t have been more different: Not to reinforce clichés, but the first thing I heard at the airport was actually “Howdy”, spoken by a man wearing a cowboy hat. There is not a single building that is higher than three stories in College Station, and don’t hold your breath waiting for public transport… What fascinated me most about the town, though, was the sense of community emanating from this place and its residents. From celebrating their (very successful) sports teams to gene-modifying carrots to make them maroon (Texas A&M’s signature color) instead of orange, the “Aggies” are definitely serious about their school spirit. And even in this seemingly small and homogenous place, the opinions I heard ranged from die-hard conservatism to liberal and progressive views. Considering that I have only been to two of the 50 + 1 states, this at least gives a hint at how much diversity can be found in the United States.

Daniel Heyd, ntv/RTL Journalism School  (University of Oklahoma)                                     It was an indescribably eventful time. Three weeks full of impressions and one highlight followed the next every day. When I think back, it is unbelievable what was on the program, how many interesting spots and people were visited and how many exciting conversations were held. Sometimes it was lunch with Michael Cohen, then visits to the editorial offices of ARD from Bloomberg and Vice. The first five days in New York already provided a very detailed insight into the media landscape of the USA and the mentality of the people. Then it was off to Oklahoma and the impressions overflowed. Seminars at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, trips to the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah, an afternoon with the homicide squad in Tulsa, a meeting with the mayor of Oklahoma City, a visit to a regional high school and various meetings with local journalists at their TV stations. Oklahoma impressed me not only because of its indescribable hospitality, but also because of its diversity. The people, the history, the landscape and the culture were brought closer to me from day to day. A detailed insight into the Midwest that I would never have gotten either as a tourist or as a journalist. It was in all an indescribable time. Every day I spent in the U.S., whether on the East Coast or in the Midwest, brought me closer to the local people, broadened my horizons tremendously, and helped me learn about and better understand the country. I will forever be grateful to RIAS for this opportunity and becoming part of the RIAS network through it. The program and the contacts made will have a great impact on my personal and professional life – if they haven’t already.

Emma Matthea Lübbert, University of Leipzig  (University Wisconsin-Oshkosh)

The first thing I did after arriving back in Germany was look up flights to New York City. Although the RIAS experience left me speechless, all I could think about was going back. From the VIP tour of the Empire State Building to visits at VICE, CBS, Bloomberg and ARD – our time in New York was even better than I imagined in the last two years. Every day was a new learning experience, mixed with fun in local bars and restaurants in the evenings. Even though getting up at 7 in the morning felt wrong on some days, every minute of the program was worth it and a once in a lifetime experience. We were blessed with amazing speakers all over the political spectrum and got a real insight in how journalism and politics work in the USA. Even though I was sad to leave the big apple, my time in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was just as enjoyable. Thanks to our amazing and lovely hosts – Joel Waldinger and Barb Benish – our experience in Wisconsin was a delightful experience. I will never forget my time in the states with RIAS.

Rieke Smit, University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal                                          (New Mexico State University)

I’ve gained so much experience in a short amount of time that I’m still processing it. Talking about the past few weeks really makes you realize the insights we’ve had both in New York and at Station Week. After all, who can claim to have had breakfast with Michael Cohen for 2.5 hours, in the service of the Abyssinian Church personally welcomed by Reverend Dr. Butts, or speaking to “the voice of the subway” Charlie Pellett at Bloomberg.

The Station Week in particular has significantly broadened my view of the USA, which I visited for the first time with this program. Spending time in New Mexico, in a region that is shaped by the border with Mexico, showed me the everyday reality of a situation that the German media often only shows when there are problems. I also got to know a university course that produces live news shows that are as professional as some newsrooms in Germany. But what impressed me the most was the openness and friendliness with which we were greeted everywhere. We were able to ask any questions and always found a way to discuss things on an equal footing with our counterparts. The word exchange will be capitalized in what is expected to be a challenging program and being part of the RIAS network already feels like part of a global journalistic family. It was an impressive 22 days.

Adrian Liehr, University of Leipzig   (Indiana University)                   

After two years of hoping that the RIAS program could still take place after the corona-related cancellation in 2020, the time had finally come – for three weeks we were able to experience the USA from very different perspectives. In the first nine days, we got to know New York on a journalistic and political, but also on a social and cultural level. I count the conversations with Phil Murphy and Michael Cohen, the visit to the Broadway musical “Come from Away”, the evening harbor cruise and the visit to the church service in Harlem among my absolute highlights. Due to the abundance of appointments, I could go on with this list. I have become a fan of New York and would like to return there soon. The second part of the trip took me to Indiana University in Bloomington. There I had the opportunity to accompany the reporters of the local TV and radio station in their work and at the same time get a feel for life in the Midwest and the lifestyle there. This is very different from the omnipresent hustle and bustle of Manhattan. All the people I met were open and interested in me. The American hospitality and the sincere interest in my personal background and life in Germany were particularly noteworthy. This resulted in great conversations that I will remember for a long time. All in all, the time in the USA was an incredible experience that will leave a lasting impression on me. On the one hand, the three weeks felt far too short, but on the other hand, due to the many program points, I sometimes had the feeling that I had already been in the country for three months. The entire group also contributed to this, and this experience will be forever associated with them.A big thank you goes to the RIAS team and especially Erik Kirschbaum for organizing and making this special trip possible!

Marita Wehlus,  Deutsche Journalismus Schule Münich   (Indiana University)

The encounters with politicians, media professionals, activists and students that make up the RIAS program gave me a glimpse into the American reality that I will likely draw on for a long time. I got to see, in that one week in New York and the following two in Bloomington, Indiana, a country that is torn and traumatized and hopeful and relentlessly open. Hearing from Chivona Newsome (BLM New York) why, for her, the police will always be a racist institution gave me food for thought, as did Phil Murphy (Gov. of New Jersey), who made me feel for the first time how professionalized the demeanor of politicians in the U.S. is. There were so many moments in this program that showed me new perspectives. Seeing the life of a small, Democratic pinpoint of a town in Indiana, in the middle of a very red-voting state, was probably one of the most interesting. I saw students applaud Ann Coulter (right-wing author) while she described the “bloody, godless” French Revolution as the origin of liberalism. I sat across from a Democratic state senator who, despite being in the absolute minority, is trying to influence legislatures and asked me if I could explain to her how Trump happened in 2016. And I had the opportunity to speak with Dan Coats (Republican, retired senator), who spoke to students about how bipartisan collaboration no longer seems possible, how everything has become a war. Despite all this tension, there were also the magnificently talented journalists from WTIU/WFIU, who not only produce award-winning documentaries (I think in part because there are no longer police scanners in their newsroom to cover every blue light story), but are also a prime example of cross-media producing. The new generation of journalism students is no less impressive. And finally, it was an unforgettable experience above all because in almost every encounter I and we encountered critical reflection, but also a desire for debate and so much interest in our perspective.

 Sarah-Maria Köpf, Martin-Luther University  Halle-Wittenberg (Texas A&M)

Three weeks in the U.S. – one in New York, two in Texas – gave me an insight into the country and its media landscape that I would never have experienced without RIAS. After all, how often do you get the chance to meet the governor of New Jersey or talk to Donald Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen? I was particularly pleased that it was possible to visit the news rooms again after the tough restrictions imposed by the pandemic and that we were thus able to get an even closer picture of the work of journalists – starting with NBC and Bloomberg in Manhattan and ending with Vice in hip Williamsburg. But my absolute highlight was having lunch with Black Lives Matters NYC co-founder Chivona Newsome, where we talked about activism and everyday racism. Even after our trip, the day will remain in my memory for a long time to come

In College Station, I was able to take exciting journalism seminars at Texas A&M University and was pleasantly surprised by how practical and career-preparatory the courses were. In several seminars, I had the opportunity to talk with students and share more about the German media system and my own journalistic work. In the process, we discovered that the demands on young journalists and our own expectations and motivations are not very different from one country to the next. I was also impressed by the college newspaper “The Battalion,” which produces a new print edition every week with fewer than 20 students, as well as writing additional online and social media articles. I was also impressed with the local ESPN TV sports station, which is a very professional and well-structured media outlet at the university. College sports in general are writ large at Texas A&M. I was able to experience how much the students here cheer on the “Aggies” live at a baseball game, which was truly a unique experience. I will definitely need a few more weeks to process this exciting trip with RIAS. One thing is for sure though, it has changed my view of the USA and I have gained a better understanding of past and current events in the country.

 Tom Wagner, Humboldt University Berlin (Southern Illinois University)

 Due to a very early flight and my inability to sleep sitting up, I arrived in New York extremely tired. Every day I promised myself in the morning to go to sleep early that day. Nevertheless, I never arrived at our hotel before midnight, because this city never sleeps and I now understood that I did not want that here either. All the fascinating personalities and places we visited every day and the extremely interesting conversations we had there, as well as the endless possibilities in the evening were such unique and thrilling experiences that I didn’t want to miss a single second. Being born and raised in Berlin, I am usually glad that people mostly mind their own business. Therefore, I was a little worried about the friendliness and openness of the Americans and especially the New Yorkers as friends had warned me in advance. But very quickly I got used to this open-heartedness and enjoyed talking to strangers and learning from them about the city, the country and the people. Experiencing this country, which you think you know so well from movies and television, in this way was eye-opening and enriching. Looking back, probably no event describes the impressions of this trip as much as the visit to the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, where deep social conflicts and the indestructible will to look ahead and to make the best of the situation together are so close to each other.These and other experiences will probably take me a while to fully process.

Jessica Schäfer, University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-  Stendal (University of Minnesota)

Two years later than originally planned, the time had finally come: My first trip to the USA started. I didn’t really believe it until I landed at JFK and looked out the window of my hotel room at the Empire State Building. Thanks to RIAS and my great group, I spent ten unforgettable days in New York, where one highlight followed the other! My personal highlights include attending a service at Abyssinian Baptist Church, visiting various U.S. newsrooms – including Bloomberg and Vice -, meeting New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and ex-Trump attorney Michael Cohen each for an in-depth conversation, and watching an NBA game at Madison Square Garden.

I spent my Station Week in Minneapolis – the city of Prince. There, too, I experienced many things every day. With my host Scott, I visited a wonderfully arranged photo exhibit about the murder of George Floyd, which gave me insight into the residents’ perspective. I gained insight into the educational system of  American universities at the Hubbard School of Journalism, participated in seminars such as Newscast Producing, Multimedia Production & Storytelling, and TV/Radio Reporting. I attended the Midwest Journalism Conference, where I discussed journalism, politics, various cultural topics and differences between the U.S. and Germany with American journalists. The two highlights during my stay in Minneapolis were the visits of the radio station MPR and the TV station Kare 11, which belongs to NBC. There I received a detailed explanation of the daily work of the news and sports editors. I was allowed to spend the whole day there following their work flow while asking them lots of questions. All in all, I am incredibly grateful that I was able to take part in this RIAS program and that I gained so many exclusive and inspiring insights into the U.S. media landscape, politics and culture.

 Florian Sädler, Axel Springer Academy Berlin, (University of Oklahoma)

As the RIAS program was coming closer, I had tried to not get too excited about it. After all, the whole thing had been scheduled four times before, dating back to our original trip in March 2020. Two years, countless waves of Covid and all these cancelled flights later, it only hit me that this really was about to happen when I left JFK Airport and found myself actually in New York City. Three weeks later and I haven’t really had time to process anything of what we experienced in the States. From Day 1 do Day 21, there were hardly any breaks, sometimes not even to grab a proper meal. Most days we didn’t get back to our hotel room or apartment until somewhere between 10 PM and midnight, just enough to catch a bit of sleep to be in somewhat presentable shape to do it all over again the next day. When we ventured out into the city – or, during part two of the program, into the countryside – we did everything from meeting with a Governor, meeting with a host of High School students in a poverty-riddled area of Oklahoma City or with Donald Trump’s former attorney to visiting Afghan refugees, multiple NBA games or a Gospel Church to taking tours through an ultra-orthodox Jewish Quarter in Brooklyn, the Empire State Building or a Streetfood Festival in a Village in Cherokee Nation. There hasn’t been one boring day. We got to talk with so many different people and visit so many different places that, within only a couple of days, it became hard to remember everything that had happened up to this point. Or even yesterday, for that matter (which is quite the luxury problem, I guess). It all just melted into a very enjoyable and memorable blur. I’m somewhat glad I didn’t get my expectations up before I stepped onto the plane. That way, I was even happier for the way it all worked out. Adding to that, the concept of spending one week in New York City and then spreading out across the Midwest worked wonders. Nothing better to get a feel for the contrasts that shape this country than going from Manhattan straight to Norman, Tahlequah or Kingfisher, Oklahoma. The more time I’ve spent in the US, the less I believe anyone can really explain this country. Especially foreigners. Still, through all the different impressions I got through this RIAS journey, I feel like I can understand what makes different Americans tick and why a little bit better than before. Nothing more to ask from a three-week exchange program.

Amy Woyth, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences (Wisconsin-Oshkosh)

After years of waiting and waiting, in March the time had finally come to board my flight to New York City – “I’ll believe it when I’m actually there,” I had said for the past weeks. And it was been everything I had hoped for and more. After a week-long schedule in NY with too many appointments and highlights to count, it was time to embark on a trip to the Midwest. Although I didn’t have particularly high hopes for a small town in Wisconsin, it rounded the trip out perfectly. My host family, whom I can now call my godparents, was the most amazing family I could have wished for, showing me the city and fulfilling my bucket list for the States together with me. Even though I have been to the States multiple times with my own family, Oshkosh, WI really showed me what American life is like. The program was successful in its mission: I have learned so many things about the US, its people and its customs, that I will now need a few months to process everything I was so privileged to have experienced.

Leonie von Randow, Axel Springer Academy, (Southern Illinois University)

Never before have I met so many interesting people and absorbed so much input in such a short time like during the week in New York. Every day was packed with appointments that a journalist can only dream of: We met feisty individuals like Arthur Aidala, radio host and lawyer for Harvey Weinstein, or Michael Cohen, former lawyer and close confidant of Donald Trump. We had lunch with the incredibly impressive and personable Black Lives Matter activist Chivona Newsome and asked Clare Toeniskoetter, editor at the New York Times hit podcast “The Daily,” about her work. On Sunday, we attended a very rousing service at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem and began to better understand religion in America. I am filled with all the unique experiences and wonderful time I got to spend with Erik and the other RIAS fellows – and I look forward to meeting many other RIAS alumni in Berlin or anywhere else in the world.

 Friedrich Steffes-lay, Free Tech Academy, Berlin (Arizona State University)

Two years of waiting because of Covid, but every day of patience was worth it! The time in the USA was so intense and informative that I still haven’t processed everything. For me, too, the background discussions with ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen and Governor Phil Murphy will be remembered above all, but also the deep insights into US journalism in the newsrooms of Bloomberg, VICE and WNBC. During my university station week, I dove deep into Phoenix local politics and met people with a wide variety of views. I was allowed to learn how professional (investigative) journalism is done on campus – and got active myself with an interview with a German consul general. But my personal highlight is definitely my research on human trafficking in Phoenix, which even took me behind the closed doors of a local rescue center. All of that was initiated by a conversation with a politics professor at Arizona State University. But the program wasn’t just a great experience on the journalism side. In New York and Phoenix, I was able to reunite with several friends I had already made through RIAS three years ago – and I will see some of them again soon in Germany.

Jana Glose, German Sport University Cologne  (University of Oklahoma)

After Corona prevented me from going to the U.S. in the 2020 election year, my RIAS program started together with other journalism students from all over Germany almost 700 days later in New York, the city that never sleeps. And I’ll say this right away: there really wasn’t all that much sleep during the days in the city, but it was more than worth it. I got to know America and especially American journalism from an exciting side. Through the numerous conversations with journalists, activists and politicians, as well as through visits to editorial offices, including Bloomberg, the ARD studio and Vice, I was able to develop an understanding of American life and the American media landscape. The in-depth conversations and discussions showed me ideas, innovations and perspectives, but also fears, concerns and problems within America’s population. My personal highlights in New York were attending a Rangers hockey game, having lunch with Black Live Matters New York founder Chivona Newsome in the Harlem neighborhood, speaking with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphey, and seeing the musical Come from Away. Topped off with interaction with the other participants, the RIAS program in New York was a memorable and highly educational experience.For my University Week I went to the University of Oklahoma. A huge campus with TV studios with daily news and weekly sports shows, a cafeteria like in Harry Potter and a football stadium with room for 90,000 visitors are just a few impressions that remain with me. The university offers students a wide range of opportunities to prepare for a career in journalism. I was particularly impressed by the fact that the professors are strongly committed to helping all students find a job after graduation or, if possible, before. Unfortunately, after two days in Oklahoma, I had to make acquaintance with the American healthcare system and spend the rest of the week in bed. But that was also an experience, even if, unlike the others, I could have easily missed.

Simon Lanzerath, University of Cologne (Southern Illinois University)

Before the trip, I was worried about American democracy and transatlantic relations, especially after the storm on the Capitol and four years of Trump. After this trip and the many conversations with political actors, students, but also people on the street, I know: our partnership is strong and so is the will to defend democracy. What it takes is mutual understanding. Through the RIAS program, we were able to improve this understanding – among Germans as well as Americans.

Erik Kirschbaum, Executive Director, RIAS Berlin Commission

Spending time in the USA with a group of German journalism students on a newly created ERP exchange program with the RIAS Berlin Commission has been a truly delightful experience, perhaps in part because most had never been to the country before and brought unbridled enthusiasm to learn more. They arrived with open minds and left three weeks later with their heads filled with memories, valuable new discoveries about the USA and perhaps about themselves too. And because they came so well-prepared and with so much curiosity, their talks with American journalists, politicians like New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, African-American leaders like Chivone Newsome, Jewish leaders like Anti-Defamation League NY Director Scott Richman and German-American sports celebrities like Jürgen Klinsmann, the conversations were outstanding.

The ERP program is supported by the Transatlantic Program of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has been funded by the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the Federal Economy and Energy (BMWi) Ministry.

April 7, 2022

On RIAS trip to USA, German students get involved in college life across country

Fifteen German students were able to learn more about the United States and journalism training at eight leading American universities in the Midwest and Southwest on a newly created RIAS Berlin Commission program. Several of the students were invited on local campus and radio TV shows to talk about their experiences in the United States or compare life in Germany to the United States while others met local groups of students, or local political leaders.

Three students from Germany spent two weeks in Carbondale, Illinois visiting Southern Illinois University and host Fred Martino, who took part in a RIAS program to Germany 20 years earlier. Tom Wagner, Leonie von Wagner and Simon Lanzerath talked for 30 minutes on Martino’s talk show about what they’ve learned in the United States and how pleasantly surprised they are about the openness and friendliness of Americans they have met during the program, which started in mid-March with a first week together as a group in New York. Here is their interview:

At Arizona State University in Tempe, Friedrich Steffes-lay was invited to talk about working in journalism in Germany on the campus radio station on the “Blaze Radio Show”. He also talked about the cultural differences between the United States and Germany as well as differences in the media in the two countries. Steffes-lay also had the chance to meet local councilwoman Ann O’Brien to talk about local issues as well as why she believes Arizona has become a swing state in U.S. elections and could become even more polarised in the future.

At New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, Rieke Smith was able to take part in classes where former MNSU university students talked about how they got their start in journalism in the United States after graduating and talking about their experiences on the job. She also joined a student news team covering an event where homeless people were getting free haircuts for the local campus news station.

At the University of Oklahoma, Daniel Heyd and Florian Sädler had the chance to listen to a speech from former President Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien. They also had the chance to visit the Tulsa police department and have a meeting with its police chief and press officer as well as meeting the department’s homicide department.

At Indiana University, Marita Wehlus and Andrian Liehr attended a speech by President Trump’s former head of intelligence Dan Coats, who had also been the U.S. ambassador to Germany during George W. Bush’s presidency. They also met Paul Helmke, the former leader of the Brady Campaign to tighten gun control laws in the United States.

At the University of Minnesota, Jessica Schäfer attended courses on radio journalism from Scott Libin, a RIAS alumni and the former chairman of the RTDNA in the United States. She also spend a day at KARE 11 TV station in Minneapolis, learning how their evening news show is produced. She worked in the sports department at the station as well as in the control room. Schäfer also had the chance to spend a day at MPR radio.

At Texas A&M, Sarah-Maria Köpf and Lara Jäkel had the chance to see the local TAMU newscast being put together. They also visited the local ESPN TV sports channel station where the baseball game they watched was being covered on television.

The ERP program is supported by the Transatlantic Program of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has been funded by the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the Federal Economy and Energy (BMWi) Ministry. There is a reciprocal program to Germany for American students studying journalism or a related field that focuses on the role of broadcast journalism and the role it played during the Cold War, especially in Berlin.

April 2, 2022

German students learn more about U.S. journalism in Midwest, Southwest

Eight groups of German journalism students and young journalists are spending two weeks visiting leading American universities and journalism programs in the Midwest and Southwest on a RIAS Berlin Commission program that was launched thanks to a grant from the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the Economy Ministry. In groups ranging from one to three, the German students are visiting the University of Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Southern Illinois University, New Mexico State University, Arizona State University, Indiana University, University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh to learn more about how young Americans learn the tools of their journalism trade.

The Germans — 10 of whom are making their first trip to the United States — have learned that most large American universities have their own campus TV station, radio station and newspaper. The student broadcasting stations are often part of the public broadcasting system in the United States and their work is sometimes fed into the national news broadcasts on PBS TV or National Public Radio (NPR). It has been an eye-opening experience for the German students, who have got to see first-hand how American journalism students get lots of hands-on experience reporting issues on their campuses and in their local communities.

Among the highlights alongside the program was a talk given by Florian Sädler and Daniel Heyd to more than 100 local high school students in Norman, Oklahoma about life and the political situation in Germany.

In Indiana, Marita Wehlus and Adrian Liehr got a chance to meet State Senator Shelli Yoder, a Democrat. Even years after the 2016 Trump win, she is still not sure how it happened, asking the RIAS fellows what their take on it is. She furthermore told the fellows about how some Republican candidates in Indiana are now calling themselves “Conservatives” to show they are even further to the right than the Republican party as a whole. She also explained to the Germans how Democrats were able to stop an attempt to ban Critical Race Theory instruction in schools despite a Republican majority in the state senate.

Wehlus and Liehr have also had the chance to visit the Channel 9 newsroom in Cincinnati, Ohio, where their station week host Sara Wittmeyer previously worked. They also visited journalism classes at Northern Kentucky University, talking to the American students about how journalism is taught in Germany and how the media system in Germany is organized compared to the United States.

In Arizona, Friedrich Steffes-lay had the chance to visit the Howard Center at ASU thanks to his host Michelle Ailport, who had taken part in a reciprocal ERP program to Germany in 2019. At the Howard Center at ASU, Steffes-lay learned that students work on investigative journalism projects and sometimes actually publish scoops that are so important that they are later used by major media outlets, such as The New York Times.

At Southern Illinois University, Leonie von Randow, Tom Wagner and Simon Lanzerath took part in a 30-minute interview on the local PBS station with host Fred Martino about a variety of transatlantic issues.  They were also interviewed about their highlights of the RIAS Berlin Commission ERP student program as well as their thoughts on the January 6, 2021 siege of the Capitol building in Washington DC. The interview will be aired on PBS stations in May.

At the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Amy Woyth and Emma Lübbert helped work as “honorary staff” members on the latest edition of the student newspaper the “Advance Titan”. Woyth also served as “floor director” at Titan TV news.

In Minnesota, Jessica Schäfer visited “Newcast producing”, “Advertising Law”, “TV/Radio Reporting” and “Multimedia Production and Storytelling” seminar courses for journalism students at the University of Minnesota. She was also invited to attend the Midwest Journalism Conference, where she met a number of other journalists who have plans to take part in RIAS Berlin Commission programs to Germany and who have hosted German journalists in the past.

At Texas A&M in College Station, Texas, Sarah-Maria Köpf and Lara Jäkel attended media writing courses where students discussed articles that had appeared in the most recent edition of the campus newspaper, the “Battalion”. They have also visited courses in the political and media departments to talk about differences between the German and U.S. media systems as well as the RIAS Berlin Commission exchange programs. They also visited the Bush Presidential Library, the newsroom of the “Battalion” and attended a guest lecture from Pew Research Center.

The ERP program is supported by the Transatlantic Program of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has been funded by the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the Federal Economy and Energy (BMWi) Ministry. There is a reciprocal program to Germany for American students studying journalism or a related field that focuses on the role of broadcast journalism and the role it played during the Cold War, especially in Berlin.

March 31, 2022

German journalists’ impressions of USA after 3-week exchange program

A group off 10 German journalists spent three weeks in the United States in March, learning more about the political, economic, cultural aspects as well as sports. They were in Washington and New York for one week each and then spent a third week visiting small American radio and TV stations across the country. Here are their impressions of their journey:

Nazan Gökdemir, ZDF Arte

What a fantastic and unforgettable experience! One week in Washington, one week in New York. More than 35 meetings with journalists, politicians, activists, lobbyists, pollsters, a walking tour through the Hasidic Jewish neighborhood of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, a play on Broadway…My personal highlights were the visit to the White House and the Sunday Mass in Harlem. Goosebump moments! From time to time, there were also spontaneous meetings, among others with former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen. Every single encounter, every single item on the packed RIAS agenda was a unique and enriching experience. Sometimes hopeful, sometimes depressing, always impressive!

Although I have been to the USA several times, thanks to RIAS I got new insights into a torn country full of contradictions. In direct, honest and critical conversations with journalists, I became aware of how rough and tough the competition within the U.S. media landscape is and how much opinion-oriented news broadcasts can corrode trust in facts and truth and thus ultimately also pose a danger to democracy.Our educational trip was overshadowed not by Corona, as I had originally feared, but by the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. Russia’s President Putin has not only posed new challenges to the transatlantic relationship, but also strengthened it. I think the RIAS exchange program is more important than ever. As a RIAS alumni, I am now happy to be available to our U.S. colleagues as a contact person – and to answer questions about the country, its people and its media with as much openness, enthusiasm and conviction.

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Christian von Rechenberg, ZDF, heute-journal

“It’s all about people” – that was the answer of Bill Whitaker from CBS to my question about what makes his program 60 Minutes the best investigative magazine in the USA. The fact that I was able to put my questions to a top interlocutor again on day 10 of the RIAS trip had long been normal. And once again made the answer all the more valuable: It’s all about people – get to the people. That’s how I would sum up the two weeks with RIAS. We didn’t talk about things, we talked to the people they affected: with a former Republican congressman, for example, we talked about Trump and “the storm.” With the co-founder of Black Lives Matter NYC, we talked about structural racism in the US and the anger within the movement. Eye-to-eye, critical, honest, engaged.

Each of these meetings expanded my knowledge, my understanding, my image of the USA. All of the interlocutors were happy to go far beyond their own horizons with us. We were able to curiously ask ourselves about the polarization of society, unlimited freedom of speech, social peace, the future and the past of the USA.

In addition, there was a very fine accompaniment: I will not forget the church service in Harlem, nor the guided walk through the Hasidic community in Brooklyn. We even climbed the fence of the White House. This program is hard to beat in terms of content. However, it is a pick packed daily schedule that we generally walked off(!). The RIAS program is not a pleasure trip, you have to be aware of that. It is demanding and exhausting, it requires discipline and sometimes patience. If you have both, you will return home with satisfaction and an inner smile. And maybe a catchy tune by Bruce Springsteen (ask Erik for details 😊).

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Katharina Hamberger, Deutschlandfunk

Two weeks, a thousand impressions – which have greatly shaped my image of the USA. Originally, I was supposed to go to the USA with the RIAS Berlin Commission already in March 2020, but then Corona intervened. At that time, the United States was still a country shaped by an incumbent President Trump – now we have seen what traces these four years have left behind, but also why this was possible at all. Our interlocutors, from left to right, from conservative to progressive, gave us many insights into a country that is deeply divided. They painted a picture of a society with deep rifts running through it – and hardly anyone looked to the future with optimism. We also got to know the U.S. as a country in which many of the developments are also related to history: among other things, a two-party system that makes compromises difficult and favors populism, a promise of freedom that at the same time relies so much on the self-responsibility of each individual that many fall by the wayside, an understanding of Freedom of Speech that does not even know a limit in Holocaust denial.

We also got to know a media landscape in which, on the one hand, the agencies – such as Reuters – operate, whose top priority is to be as neutral as possible. On the other hand, we learned that American media are also a mirror of society and that everyone can choose their view of the world. As a public service journalist, I particularly remember the visit to NPR, which showed me how happy we can be about our ÖRR system and not have to constantly collect donations. But we also got to know many open-minded people who were willing to give us insights that you would never get on a vacation; committed journalists who showed us the conditions under which they work, who shared their thoughts with us, who discussed things with us and answered all our questions. We were given insights into the country’s most important think tanks, which were also a challenge to us because they represented a very broad spectrum between conservative and liberal. I was also particularly impressed by the discussions with ADL, AJC and Black Lives Matter.

Of course, Russia’s attack on Ukraine also shaped the two weeks in the US. The events were a topic at almost every meeting. On the one hand, because they show once again the fragility of democracies and the ruthlessness of autocracies, on the other hand, because the EU, Germany and the USA also play a special role in this conflict – and it was exciting to hear the view on it again from another, an American perspective. It was an impressive 14 days.

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Carolina Chimoy, Deutsche Welle, International Correspondent

This is perhaps one of the most exciting times in transatlantic relations. The war in Ukraine has changed and accelerated many things.  The struggle between democracies and autocracies has led to a turning point in transatlantic relations, which were strained by the previous U.S. administration. The United States and Germany are now more united than ever. 

 Having the opportunity to conduct in-depth background interviews with high-level political actors, experts and civil society representatives in the U.S. during these exciting times is a gift for any journalist. Whether it was the conversation with the president of the American Jewish Committee, who, as the son of Holocaust survivors, interestingly sees Germany as a leading power in Europe right now, or Donald Trump’s longtime lawyer, who recognizes similar traits in Putin as he did in his former client. They have all helped to sharpen the political picture on the international stage and the implications for bilateral relations between Germany and the United States. 

 In domestic politics, Germany and the United States also face similar challenges: growing inequality and polarization threaten to destabilize democracy from within as well.  Being able to discuss these conversations and thoughts among a group of highly qualified journalists made this week unforgettable. I would have loved to have accompanied the group back to Washington. Thank you for a very enriching week in New York.

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Nadine Jantz, Welt TV

What a three weeks: Meeting with former Congressman Charlie Dent, visiting Bloomberg, lunch at Katz Deli, background talk with EU Ambassador to the United Nations Olof Skoog and coffee with Donald Trump’s ex-lawyer Michael Cohen. And that’s just a small sample. We were able to meet over 35 people from a wide variety of backgrounds during that time – including a visit to Broadway and a boat trip on the Hudson River.  My personal highlights: the visit to the White House (see photo), the church service in Harlem and a lunch with the founder of Black Live Matters New York, Chivona Newsome, in the Harlem district of New York.

Prior to the trip, I had hoped to gain insight into a wide variety of areas and learn more about the American perspective on major contemporary issues. At that time, I did not know that the current topic would be the Ukraine war. A week before the trip began, Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine. And German-American relations suddenly became closer than they had been for a long time. Whether it would stay that way, how the new German government would be received in the U.S., and what could help to stop Putin were all questions we had more than once during the course of the trip.

On the one hand, the many conversations gave hope about the fact that the West is just moving together so cohesively, but also left many question marks about how long that will last. Regardless of the international issues, the many appointments also showed how torn the USA is. There were no answers as to how this can be solved with a two-party system.  What remains are many new contacts and an insight into the USA that I would not have had without RIAS.

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Okka Gundel, ARD Tagesthemen

America First? No. First Time America. At least for me. My first time in the USA. At the age of 47. Thanks to the RIAS program, it was a privileged, exclusive, and fabulous first glimpse of this country. Unique! My feeling for this country is similar to the American society itself. Divided. Inspiring and disturbing at the same time. United States that is anything but united. A democracy that doesn’t seem to be a real democracy. Beautiful Washington. Dazzling New York. Plain Texas. Many of our influential, impressive interviewees had a pessimistic view of their homeland. By contrast, the grassroots I was privileged to encounter in many Uber rides through the Texas metropolitan area of San Antonio struck me as surprisingly optimistic and content. Upside-down world. A world that is so modern and progressive on the one hand and so backward on the other. While here in Germany we have to fear that the garbage will not be picked up because the wrong item ends up in the wrong garbage can, in the U.S. the throwaway society happily lives on. In the hotel, every single piece of cutlery is shrink-wrapped in plastic, and on the streets SUVs and pickup trucks are used for every little journey. Mother Earth – I am perplexed and worried about you! More than ever. I had also been worried beforehand about whether I would be able to stand two weeks in a group. A class trip with classmates and teachers I didn’t know. Unnecessary. I enjoyed the campfire atmosphere. Very much so. When I suddenly found myself alone in San Antonio after a very intense time in human community, I felt a kind of phantom pain. I missed my group. Thank you RIAS for all the impulses. For the profound ones, the lively ones and the thoughtful ones. Thank you for a very special experience. Content and interpersonal.

My station week in San Antonio, Texas. After the fast-paced and exciting time in Washington and New York, everything seemed very slow and unexciting. A bit of a culture shock. My host, Yami Virgin, is a dazzling personality and an excellent investigative TV reporter.  One afternoon, Yami sent me via Uber to a baseball stadium on the prairie. There I met her station’s sports reporter. A very pleasant blind date. At first, Chuck tried to explain the rules of baseball to me. But soon we digressed to his life as an American and mine as a European. A profound encounter in the setting of a high school baseball duel.   Every night we were out to dinner. Yami and me. And at least one of her friends or colleagues. Somewhere in the middle of nowhere, at unadorned truck stops along the highways, wonderful restaurants hid night after night. It was interesting and gave me a feel for the way of life there.  After the “sensory overload” of Washington and New York, Texas was altogether disillusioning. And yet so enriching. Within three weeks I was able to experience a large keyboard of us-American culture. The truth may lie somewhere in between.

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Andreas Büttner, Welt TV

I applied three years ago, but the last two years were cancelled because of Covid, and now it finally worked out: The RIAS USA Journalism Program. Due to the long wait, the anticipation was now even greater and it was also a good thing that we could participate in this program only now. So we spontaneously had the chance to visit the White House and to watch US President Biden taking off with his Marine One. For me the absolute highlight of this trip! Or the church service in Harlem, which was on the official program for the first time and where the gospel choir blew us away just as much as the president’s helicopter.

Every day new appointments with personalities like Michael Cohen, former lawyer of US President Trump. Every day interesting stories, like that of Frieda Vizel, a dropout from the Hasidic Jewish community in Williamsburg. Every day great conversations with correspondents from Spiegel, ZDF and Deutsche Welle. Of course, the best view of the White House was provided by WELT, where the colleagues from the public broadcaster could learn a thing or two (see photo).I would like to thank RIAS for this unforgettable program, the life-changing experiences and the wonderful group full of great people with whom I was able to complete this trip. 

Station Week Los Angeles: I had the great honor of completing my Station Week with Frank Mottek, “The Voice of Business News in Los Angeles.” On my first day, I was a guest on his radio show “Mottek On Money” on KABC. There I talked about the German perspective on the Ukraine war, rising gasoline prices and the new Tesla Gigafactory. My first appearance in English, an exciting experience. I also met a TV journalist from KTLA, who was in Ukraine until recently, and the fire department from Berlin, who paid tribute to the late L.A. County mayor and friend of the fire department at a memorial service.  On my last day, I was allowed to be a journalist on the red carpet of the Irish Oscar party in Hollywood. There I helped out an American colleague as a cameraman because he had problems with the tripod. German-American understanding in journalism, which would never have been possible without RIAS!

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Sven Christian, Spiegel Video     

The first time in 15 years I had to wear a tie again. Lost bet. But the occasion was more than appropriate: We were allowed to visit the White House, look behind the scenes and see the president at least from afar. We met hardliners in think tanks, discussed with woken journalists and activists, and were spiritually enchanted by a church service in Harlem.

This trip exceeded all my expectations. In terms of content, one highlight chased the next. But it was often the supposedly less spectacular meetings that moved me the most. The one with the quietly accomplished correspondent Jeff Mason, who ushered us into the White House. With Bill Whitaker, who told us about smart TV journalism. With BLM founder Chivona Newsome, who didn’t become an angry citizen despite systematic oppression. To name just a few.  All this gives us courage to continue reporting well, honestly and fairly. We have noticed in many conversations that this is more necessary than ever before. 

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Nadine Bader, ARD

Being overshadowed by Russia’s war in Ukraine, the RIAS program im March 2022 excelled at profound talks about international politics and about the importance of transatlantic relations. Arguing with a fellow from conservative Hudson Institute about whether NATO has underestimated the importance of deterrence is just one example.Meeting with an expert from Brookings Institution gave us more insight into internal policies, Congress and its role in solving staggering policy problems such es economic inequality and structural racism.Numerous talks with US journalists enabled us to gain better understanding of US media markets. These meetings also gave deeper insight into how German politics (for example the long resistance to halt Nord Stream 2) are perceived in the US. Discussions with German correspondents completed this outstanding program. One of the many highlights certainly was the visit to the White House.

Besides all these profound talks in Washington DC and New York, our visit to the Big Apple provided an insight into the diversity of this breathtaking city. Meeting with Chivona Newsome, cofounder of Black Lives Matter Greater New York, is just one example. My highlight by far was our tour with Frieda Vizel in the Satmar Hasidic community in Jewish Brooklyn. The station week in Sioux Falls with Dakota News Now rounded off my RIAS-experience. The editorial team was very welcoming and open-minded. They showed me how they produce several hours of news broadcast per day. For instance, I accompanied a reporter doing a package on the upcoming mayoral elections. On my last day, I even met polarizing South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem at a press conference about cyber security. Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to ask her, why she wants to ban Critical Race Theory at all schools and universities in the state. Next time! Overall, the RIAS program in Washington DC, New York and Sioux Falls gave me a deep insight into the diverse and partly polarized US society. Thank you!

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Theresa Greim, Bayerischer Rundfunk

How many high-level, diverse and in-depth background discussions can you manage in nine days? To make a long story short: More than 35. (That’s not counting the many sightseeing highlights.) I wouldn’t have thought it possible to gain so many new and, above all, enriching insights in such a short time. In my journalistic work, I deal with U.S. topics almost every day, but no reportage, no background report or correspondent talk can even come close to what the encounters in these one and a half weeks of RIAS program achieved: To gain a deeper understanding of what moves people in the U.S., how they see themselves, what conflicts, values and visions drive them, and also how the U.S. perceives Germany and Europe. I was particularly surprised by the openness of our interlocutors. Almost all of the conversations were a genuine, open dialogue. I was also impressed by how warmly and enthusiastically the U.S. RIAS alumni looked after us. Whether at the graduation ceremonies in Washington and New York or during my Station Week in Boston – I always felt welcome and look forward to continuing to cultivate these valuable new contacts in the future. Or to put it in the words of Washington DC Alumni Chapter Leader Larry Mill er: You’re family now.

Station Week Boston: My RIAS host in Bo ston, Yasmin Amer, gave me a warm welcome. Although newsroom work continues to be hampered by Corona and most seats at WBUR are orphaned, Yasmin did her best to show me as much as possible. This included the morning 9 a.m. conference, plus the meeting for the Boston radio show; I was then able to watch the results of the issues being implemented live in the studio. I got to be part of the planning and preparation for the nationally broadcast show “Here and Now”, and also got to watch the show live in the studio. Yasmin took me to pitch a new podcast idea. I also got to talk at length with and look over the shoulder of the newsroom and News Anchor, which, being a news anchor myself, I was especially excited about. Yasmin also gave me a tour of Harvard, where she participated in the Nieman Fellowship last year/year before last. We also talked about similarities and differences in our work. Yasmin is very open and gave me many interesting insights into the work of a radio station on the US East Coast. Some colleagues at WBUR have shown great interest in joining the RIAS program in Germany. Yasmin’s response was always, “You really should do it. It’s great.”

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Erik Kirschbaum, Executive Director RIAS Berlin  

Seeing the United States through the eyes of German journalists – some of whom have never been to Washington or New York before – is always a special treat for me as the executive director of the RIAS Berlin Commission.  Even after six years, 12 programs and accompanying more than 150 German journalists to the USA, there are always new discoveries and experiences to make. It’s their incurable curiosity, their insatiable appetite to learn more about the country that for good or worse plays such an oversize role in their lives and their healthy skepticism of the American way of life (the ubiquitous ‘disposable plastic’ mentality is a massive culture shock for visitors from Germany every time) that makes it a joy, and honor, to lead groups of 10 to 15 Germans around Washington and New York for two weeks twice each year. The two weeks in Washington and NY are always packed full with meetings before many of them depart for a third week on their own visiting a small American radio or TV station in the Midwest or Southwest to see another side of America. It’s a demanding and exhausting schedule of up to five meetings/dinner talks each day. But who could say no to a last-minute offer to visit the White House press room? Or would anyone want to turn down an opportunity to see a gospel choir perform at a stirring church service in Harlem? Every group is different. Every group presents new challenges. Every group has a different program schedule. Thanks to our American alumni Adam Reiss, Tiffany Zeno and Michael Gargiulo and support from Jeff Mason and Larry Miller in Washington, the March 2022 group had the best and busiest program ever – and I was lucky enough to be along for the ride.

March 28, 2022

German students explore New York, USA political landscape on ERP program

Fifteen German students on a new German-American exchange program spent a busy nine days in New York and New Jersey learning more about the United States, especially the political, economic and social aspects of the country. The students will spend the next two weeks in smaller groups of one to three visiting American university campuses and their journalism studies departments in Oklahoma, Texas, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New Mexico and Arizona.

Meeting New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy at his offices in Trenton was a highlight for many of the students — especially when Murphy spent the first 15 minutes of the hour-long meeting introducing himself individually to all 15 students and asking them detailed,

well-informed questions about their home universities in Germany, most of which are in the formerly Communist east. Murphy also explained how he had brought many ideas he picked up in Germany as the U.S. Ambassador in Berlin (2008-12) to his job leading New Jersey — such as the Duales Ausbildungsystem – or “dual training system” for skilled workers in Germany as well as the country’s emphasis on renewable energy and off-shore wind power plants.

The German students — 10 of whom were on their maiden voyage to the United States — had a total of 22 meetings and appointments in their nine days in New York. Another highlight was the chance to meet best-selling author Michael Cohen, who long served as ex-President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, at a breakfast meeting around the corner from his Park Avenue apartment. The students peppered Cohen with well-informed questions and the meeting lasted far longer than scheduled.

On two unforgettable visits to Harlem, the students learned more about racism and racial inequality in the United States from the co-founder of Black Lives Matter Chivone Newsome during a riveting hours’ long lunch meeting. They also learned secrets about the “Supper Club” at the famous Red Rooster restaurant found downstairs — where Madonna’s hair nearly caught on fire recently before the manager Charlies saved the day and former Senator Hillary Clinton had celebrated at a recent private party. Also in Harlem on a Sunday, the students were warmly welcomed guests at a communion service at the world-famous Abyssinian Baptist Church –thanks to an introduction from RIAS alumni Tiffany Zeno of WNBC TV.

Other highlights for the students in New York included a walking tour of the Hasidic Jewish section of Williamsburg, Brooklyn guided by Frieda Vizel, a former member of the sect, talks with German Consul General David Gill about the political environment in the United States and the image of Germany in the USA, as well as with Broadway actor Michael Fatica. They also met the New York/New Jersey director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Scott Richman to learn more about its battle against hate speech and about German culture in the United States from Goethe Institute New York director Jörg Schumacher.

Michael Lysak of Bloomberg News took the students on a two-hour tour of Bloomberg News headquarters and explained how the company started just 40 years ago by Michael Bloomberg, who also later became the mayor of New York City, as a start-up a day after he lost his job at an investment bank. Bloomberg, Lysak explained, still has an ordinary desk in the middle of the broadcasting section of the newsroom because radio remains his favorite news source.

The student journalists also had the chance to pick the brains of ARD New York correspondent Christiane Meier and ARD radio network correspondent Peter Mücke, Fox News producer Tyler Speicher, Vice News correspondent Hendrik Hinzel, New York Times The Daily senior producer Clare Toeniskoetter, WNBC TV anchor Michael Gargiulo, talk radio show host Arthur Aidala, WNBC producers Omar Atia and Tiffany Zeno. They also had the chance to watch a popular talk show by Arthur Aidala live that included a long interview with one of the students from Leipzig. The group also saw a New York Knicks basketball game, the Broadway musical “Come From Away” and took a Circle Line cruise to learn about the history of Lower Manhattan, the East River and Ellis Island.

The program is supported by the Transatlantic Program of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has been funded by the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the Federal Economy and Energy (BMWi) Ministry. There is a reciprocal program to Germany for American students studying journalism or a related field that focuses on the role of broadcast journalism and the role it played during the Cold War, especially in Berlin.

March 22, 2022

Students from Germany start three-week exchange program to USA

A group of students from Germany on a newly created German-American exchange program to the United States began their three weeks in the United States with a meeting-filled week in New York. The program, which is supported by the Transatlantic Program of the Federal Republic of Germany, has been funded by the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the Federal Economy and Energy (BMWi) Ministry. The German students, many of whom are from eastern Germany and studying journalism, will spend their final two weeks in the United States visiting journalism studies programs at the University of Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Southern Illinois University, Indiana University, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, University of Minnesota, New Mexico State University and Arizona State University. Here is further information about the students:

Amy Woyth, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences

Amy Woyth is a media management and journalism major at the University of Applied Sciences Mittweida in eastern Germany. Alongside her studies, she works as an editor for an independent online magazine and as a marketing associate for an IT-company in her hometown of Leipzig. She is also active as a freelancer on cultural issues. After she graduates in 2023, she plans to pursue a career in multimedia journalism, and is especially interested in reporting on broader topics like politics and culture.

Emma Matthea Lübbert, University of Leipzig

Emma Matthea Lübbert is working on her Bachelors thesis in Communication and Media

Science, and will graduate in 2022. She is working as a social media author for the ARD Podcast “Machiavelli – Rap and Politics”. She also is an author/host at the WDR radio station “Cosmo”. She also does volunteer work at the “TinCon”, a media convention for the youth interested in journalism and media. She plans to continue career in musical and political journalism as well as digital storytelling in Cologne.

 

Adrian Liehr, University Leipzig

Adrian Liehr is studying for a Master in Communication Management at the University of

Leipzig. He will graduate in 2023. Adrian has a background in journalism, as he has experience working at his university radio station and has been working in sports journalism for over four years.

 

Sarah-Maria Köpf, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

Sarah-Maria Köpf will graduate with a master’s degree in digital journalism in
2022 from Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg. She is also working an
online editor at Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR). She did her bachelor’s degree

in communication and media studies at the University of Leipzig and also
completed one semester at Miguel-Hernández University of Elche (Alicante) in
Spain, studying journalism and audiovisual communication. Sarah has also worked for the local newspaper in Leipzig, the campus radio station Mephisto 97.6 and the online editorial of GRAZIA magazine.

Jessica Schäfer, University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal

Jessica Schäfer is a student of Social Health Journalism (M.A.) at UAS Magdeburg- Stendal and will graduate in 2022. She received a bachelor’s degree in Media Literacy: Audiovisual Culture and Communication from the University of Magdeburg. During her studies she has worked for several German media outlets such as the public broadcast service rbb, a local city magazine and GQ Germany. After graduating Jessica wants to work for a magazine preferably in the field of sports, lifestyle or music.

Rieke Smit, University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal

Rieke Smit recently received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of

Magdeburg-Stendal and is currently studying for a masters in international humanitarian action. She has also worked for several German media companies, including ZDF public TV and is currently working at the German news agency DPA. Rieke’s goal is to work abroad with a focus on international politics.

Tom Wagner, Humboldt University Berlin

Tom Wagner is studying history and English at Humboldt University Berlin and will graduate in 2022. He is also working on the sports desk of ZDF’s MorgenMagazin in Berlin as a content manager. After graduating, Tom wants to become a history and English teacher or focus on a journalism career. He has also worked in the moderation and community management for Welt.de, a major German online newspaper. He is especially interested in politics and sports.

Florian Sädler, Axel Springer Academy Berlin

Florian Sädler works at “WELT”, one of Germany’s biggest newspapers. After completing an

apprenticeship at a publishing company and working as a freelancer for various newspapers and online media, he swapped studying History/British & American Studies for a chance to join “Axel Springer Akademie”, a top journalism school. His coverage has ranged from the European refugee crisis to the French Foreign Legion to the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Lara Jäkel, Free University Berlin

Lara Jäkel is a North American studies major at the Freie Universität Berlin and will graduate in 2022. During her studies, she worked for different regional and national media, among others for Welt and Spiegel Online. She is also taking part in a scholarship program of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation (JONA) that supports young journalists through seminars and workshops. Her goal is to work for national news media with a focus on politics. She is especially interested in international politics, economics and history.

Simon Lanzerath, University Cologne

Simon Lanzerath graduated at University of Cologne in October 2021 and recently received a master’s degree. He now works at Radio Erft, a German local radio station near Cologne. Besides his studies, Simon has participated in a journalism program of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation. Simon’s passion is radio, but he has also experience in TV journalism. He did an internship at public broadcasting network ZDF in 2021. He has also done an internship in the press section of a major company and worked for various radio stations, a local newspaper and a business platform focusing on a young audience.

Friedrich Steffes-lay, Free Tech Academy, Berlin

Friedrich Steffes-lay is an editor at WELT. He works in the social media resort and writes mostly about pop culture and politics. Before joining WELT, he was part of the staff of the music magazines “Musikexpress” and “Rolling Stone” and finished a two-year traineeship at FreeTech Academy, formerly known as Axel Springer Academy.

Marita Wehlus, German School of Journalism Munich

Marita Wehlus is a freelance journalist from Munich who graduated from the GermanSchool of Journalism in 2020. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and worked in radio, local reporting and factchecking (with a Facebook media partner). Her reporting focusses on telling stories about people, culture and society. In addition, she works in developing new digital formats for broadcaster Deutsche Welle and teaches Design Thinking for journalists.

Daniel Heyd, n-tv / RTL Journalism School Cologne

Daniel Heyd is a trainee at the 24/7 commercial news network “n-tv,“ with a focus on politics and economics. Prior to his traineeship, he studied Journalism (BA) and Sports Economics (MA) in Cologne as well as worked for various networks and newspapers in Germany. He is especially interested in international politics, and he is a sports enthusiast.

Leonie von Randow, Axel Springer Academy Berlin

Leonie von Randow recently finished a two-year traineeship at FreeTech Academy, formerly

known as Axel Springer Academy in Berlin. She is a reporter/producer at WELT TV, one of Germany’s leading all-news channels. There she creates video reports on a wide range of topics for WELT TV, ProSieben, Sat1 and Kabel Eins. Leonie also is an on-air reporter and has covered topics such as the German federal elections in 2021 or Germany’s COVID vaccination campaign.

Jana Glose, German Sport University Cologne

Jana Glose is studying Sport, Media and Communications (MA) at German Sport University in Cologne and currently taking part in a journalism scholarship program of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation (JONA) at SUNY Cortland as an exchange student for one semester. She finished her
Bachelor’s degree in Media Management and Journalism at Jade University of
Applied Sciences Wilhelmshaven in 2020. She has gained experience as a
freelancer for local newspapers, a business portal and through internships in
radio and television. Most recently, Jana worked at ARD “Sportschau.de” and an online portal for women in sports.

March 18, 2022

RIAS group on discovery tours in Washington DC, New York, across USA

A group of 11 broadcast journalists from Germany are in the midst of a three-week exchange program to the United States. The best and brightest of German broadcasting spent a whirlwind week in Washington DC with visits to the White House, ZDF Television, WAMU public radio, Der Spiegel, Deutsche Welle, Pew Research and the German Embassy among others. Some of the guest speakers included Ken Weinstein (Hudson Institute), Jeff Mason (White House Correspondent Reuters), David Bruns (Washington Post), James Rosen (Newsmax), Larry Miller (USA9), Esther Ciammachilli (WAMU), Ines Pohl (DW), JJ Green (WTOP) and Scott Neuman (NPR).

The group then traveled to New York for another full week of appointments, starting off with a rousing service at the Abyssinian Baptist Church with its famous choir in Harlem, followed by talks with WNBC (Michael Gargiulo), NBC (Adam Reiss), Michael Cohen, Black Lives Matter New York co-founder Chivona Renee Newsome and New Amsterdam News publisher/editor Elinor Tatum. They also visited the Hasidic Jewish section of Wiliamsburg, Brooklyn on a walking tour with Frida Vizel, the Goethe Institute for a talk with Jörg Schumacher, with Bill Whitaker of CBS News’ “60 Minutes” and German Consul General David Gill along with Ambassador Olof Skoog, head of the European Union delegation at the UN.

With coronavirus restrictions in New York being gradually lifted, the group was able to get inside Bloomberg News for a talk and tour from Michael Lysak — getting the chance to see former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg sitting and working at his small desk in the middle of the newsroom like everyone else around him. The German journalists also learned more about efforts to fight and stop hate crime in the United States with Scott Richman of the Anti-Defamation League and learned more about crisis communication from Juda Engelmayer at the famous Katz’s deli. The group also met David Harris of the AJC, Hendrik Hinzel at Vice and Clare Toeniskoetter of the New York Times podcast The Daily.

Two journalists, who speak Russian, that were planning to take part in the program were forced to postpone their participation at the last-minute due work demands connected to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Six members of the group are heading off for a “station week” visiting RIAS alumni from the United States at smaller stations across the United States — from Texas to South Dakota and Boston to Los Angeles. The next standard three-week RIAS program is planned for October and a one-week special program for alumni and senior editors is planned for late October in Washington DC. Please write info@riasberlin.org for further information.

March 8, 2022

Jury commendations for 2022 RIAS Media Prize winners

The RIAS Berlin Commission’s independent jury has picked five winners from the United States and Germany for its 2022 RIAS Media Prize competition and came to the following conclusions below about the winning entries. The 30th annual award is presented by the German-American exchange program and celebrates the best of transatlantic broadcast journalism.

The jury made up of five distinguished journalists from the United States and Germany selected five winners in TV, Radio and Digital Media categories submitted from across the United States and Germany on March 5, 2022. The German-American jury comprised: Co-chair Michael Gargiulo (WNBC TV, New York), Co-chair Anja Heyde (ZDF/MDR, Berlin/Magdeburg) as well as Helge Fuhst (ARD, Hamburg), Yami Virgin (Fox 29, San Antonio, Texas), Christian Wilp (NTV/RTL, Berlin).

Jury Commendations

Grand Prize – Jan Philipp Burgard, “Leben und Sterben am 11. September – eine Familiengeschichte “(WeltTV), September 4, 2021

“Life and Death on 9/11″ is the moving story of how two German-American families an ocean apart struggle to overcome a terrible loss that binds them while also moving on with their lives with hope in their hearts. A young investment banker from Germany was among those who perished tragically on 9/11. His American fiance was pregnant with their child. Jan Philip Burgard takes viewers on an emotional journey with the banker’s fiance returning to the New York apartment they shared for the first time in 20 years. Their 20-year-old son speaks movingly about growing up without his German father. The banker’s parents in Germany also appear, still deeply pained by the loss. The revealing, yet sensitive portrayal of one family anchored  in America and Germany is an outstanding story and poignant reminder that Germans and other foreigners were among those who died on 9/11

Here is a link to Burgard’s story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYQGRMqMklg

RIAS TV Award – Sigrid Faltin “Ein Hauch von Amerika – die Doku“ (ARD), December 1, 2021

Just when it seemed that just about everything was already known about the post-war history of American Gis in West Germany, Sigrid Faltin and her colleagues have delivered a stirring, fascinating and at times even disturbing look into little-known aspects about life in small West German towns after the United States armed forces arrived — first as occupation forces and then as allies during the Cold War. The documentary uses archival footage and interviews with women who fell in love with and had children with American soldiers to explore their special hardships.

Here is a link to the story: https://www.ardmediathek.de/sendung/ein-hauch-von-amerika/staffel-1/Y3JpZDovL2Rhc2Vyc3RlLmRlL2Vpbi1oYXVjaC12b24tYW1lcmlrYTE/1/

RIAS Radio Award – Thomas Reintjes, Matthias Röckl “Fear of Losing New York – Auf der Suche nach einer verschwundenen Stadt“  (Deutschlandfunk/SWR), March 16, 2021

After Covid-19 shut down the city that never sleeps, left its normally vibrant Broadway theaters dark, forced the myriad of small shops and sent its famously rich variety of restaurants into a fight for survival, journalists Thomas Reintjes and Matthias Röckl went out with a recording device to explore and describe New York in a touching, moving and memorable way. Their story “Fear of Losing New York” is a remarkable piece of radio journalism that uses creative techniques and informal spontaneous discussions to paint a picture of a city that is reeling.

Here is a link to their story: https://www.hoerspielundfeature.de/auf-der-suche-nach-einer-verschwundenen-stadt-fear-of-100.html

RIAS Digital Media Award

Katrin Bennhold, Clare Toeniskoetter, “Day X“ , five-part podcast on The Daily (The New York Times), May 28-June 24, 2021

Making the most its cutting-edge style of podcast journalism and its profound investigative prowess, The Daily has put together a powerful series of stories that shed light on a secretive nationwide network of far-right extremists who were operating under the radar inside Germany’s military and police forces. The series of stories that also served as the basis of newspaper articles in The New York Times is sterling example of outstanding investigative journalism.  

1, Shadow Army?: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/28/podcasts/the-daily/day-x-part-1-shadow-army.html

2, In the Stomach: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/03/podcasts/day-x-franco-a-german-extremism.html

3, Blind Spot 2.0: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/10/podcasts/day-x-germany-neo-nazi-franco-a.html

4, Franco A: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/16/podcasts/franco-a-trial-germany-terrorism.html

5, Defensive Democracy: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/24/podcasts/franco-a-trial-afd-germany.html

RIAS Fellow Award

Vladimir Balzer, “New York ist zurück – eine Stadt befreit sich aus der Pandemie“, Deutschlandfunk, November 8, 2021

In his riveting story about New York City has gradually been coming back to life after the devastation of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vladimir Balzer takes Deutschlandfunk listeners on a heart-warming tour of the city that is so hungry for a return to normalcy in the fall of 2021 just before the United States reopened its gates for visitors from the European Union. Adding important voices with illuminating interviews with idled Broadway actors, American journalists stuck working only from home, badly ailing 9/11 heroes, and lonely Germans stranded in Manhattan are included in this short-but-sweet journalistic masterpiece put together during a RIAS fellowship program.

https://www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/usa-lockert-einreisebeschraenkungen-new-york-ist-zurueck-100.html

Special Jury Prize

Ines Pohl, Deutsche Welle, special commendation for outstanding transatlantic interview with George W. Bush, Deutsche Welle, July 14, 2021

George W. Bush does not give many interviews anymore and as he explained to Deutsche Welle’s Ines Pohl in a rare meeting with a journalist the former President explained why he stays out of politics now – and likes to focus on hobbies such as painting portraits, including one of Angela Merkel. Offering his candid take on a wide range of important issues affecting Germany and the United States, the interview that was part of DW’s documentary on Merkel made international headlines in July 2021 and is an outstanding illustration of how a one-on-one conversation can shed light on current topics as well as historical subjects. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-QcTTngCeo

Special Jury Prize

March 7, 2022

Five German, American stories picked as RIAS Media Prize winners in 2022

The RIAS Berlin Commission announced the winners of this year’s RIAS Media Prize Awards on Monday, March 7, 2022. The 30th annual award is presented by the German-American exchange program and celebrates the best of transatlantic broadcast journalism with up to 10,000 EUR in prize-money awarded.

The jury, made up of five distinguished journalists from the United States and Germany, selected five winners from the TV, Radio and Digital Media category entries submitted from across the United States and Germany on March 5, 2022. The German-American jury comprised: Co-chair Michael Gargiulo (WNBC TV, New York), Co-chair Anja Heyde (ZDF/MDR, Berlin/Magdeburg), as well as Helge Fuhst (ARD, Hamburg), Yami Virgin (Fox 29, San Antonio, Texas), Christian Wilp (NTV/RTL, Berlin).

Conditions allowing, RIAS Berlin Commission will host a gala ceremony on June 2, 2022 in Berlin to pay tribute to the winners from the 2022 competition as well as the 2020 and 2021 contests that were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The RIAS Berlin Commission, created after the legendary Radio in American Sector (RIAS) broadcaster went off the air in 1993, has been operating exchange programs for more than 1,900 German and American broadcast journalists since 1993 with the aim of promoting transatlantic understanding in journalism and keeping alive the spirit of the Cold War-era radio and TV broadcasting network.

This year’s prize winners are:

Grand Prize – Jan Philipp Burgard: “Leben und Sterben am 11. September – eine Familie Geschichte“ (WeltTV), September 4, 2021

RIAS TV Award – Sigrid Faltin & Team: “Ein Hauch von Amerika – Dokumentation“ (ARD), December 1, 2021

RIAS Radio Award  – Thomas Reintjes, Matthias Röckl: “Fear of Losing New York – Auf der Suche nach einer verschwundenen Stadt“  (Deutschlandfunk), March 16, 2021

RIAS Digital Media Award – Katrin Bennhold, Clare Toeniskoetter: “Day X“ , five-part podcast series on The Daily (The New York Times), May 28-June 24, 2021

RIAS Fellow Award – Vladimir Balzer: “New York ist zurück – eine Stadt befreit sich aus der Pandemie“, (Deutschlandfunk), November 8, 2021

Special Jury Prize:
Ines Pohl: Deutsche Welle, special commendation for outstanding transatlantic interview with George W. Bush, Deutsche Welle, July 14, 2021

March 2, 2022

Nazan Gökdemir, ZDF (Mainz, Germany)/ARTE (Strasbourg, France) 

Gökdemir is a news anchor and journalist. She anchors the “Heute Journal Update” on German public network ZDF. She also anchors the news program „Arte journal“ at German-French TV network ARTE, based in Strasbourg.

Nadine Bader, ARD TV (Berlin) 

Bader is a Berlin correspondent for the main public broadcasting network ARD. She reports on national politics for the main news shows „Tagesschau“ and „Tagesthemen“. Besides news coverage, live reporting and doing commentaries, she likes working on longer pieces showing how politics affect people in their everyday life. Her primary assignments include the handling of the pandemic, health, defense and agriculture policies.

Katharina Hamberger, Deutschlandfunk Radio (Berlin) Hamberger is a Berlin

correspondent for German national public radio Deutschlandradio and its three stations, Deutschlandfunk, Deutschlandfunk Kultur and Deutschlandfunk Nova. She reports on the German government and the Bundestag. Her primary assignments are the German conservative parties.

Sven Christian, DER SPIEGEL (Berlin)

Christian has worked as TV news editor for SPIEGEL TV. He founded the platform spiegel.tv and switched as Head of Video to SPIEGEL ONLINE. He is now video content manager and developer for DER SPIEGEL. He lives, works and runs mostly in Berlin.

 

Andreas Büttner, WELT TV (Berlin) Büttner is a duty editor at all-news network WELT TV in Berlin and has worked in senior positions for the commercial network since 2017. He previously worked for the SAT-1 network. He previously worked for the SAT-1 network.

Okka Gundel, ARD-Morgenmagazin/ARD Sportschau (Cologne) Gundel is a sports

anchor and reporter for ARD Morgenmagazin in Cologne and ARD Sportschau in Hamburg. She also writes for newspapers and is an essayist for Der Spiegel. Gundel is also the author of a 2011 book about womens’ soccer “Elf Freundinnen müsst ihr sein”.

Theresa Greim, Bavarian Radio (Munich). Greim is an anchor and writer at Bavarian Radio in Munich, including its all-news BR24 program. She also works as a freelance journalist for the newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. Greim has also worked as an actress as well as voice over for films, audio books, computer games and documentary films.

 

Nadine Jantz, WeltN24 (Berlin). Jantz is a news editor for WELT-Fernsehen and works on stories for ProSieben, Sat.1 and Kabel1 networks. She is also co-host of a start-up podcast “So geht Startup”.

 

Christian von Rechenberg, ZDF (Mainz).

Von Rechenberg is a reporter and editor for German public broadcaster ZDF. He works for „Heute Journal“ – where he produces TV reports and does live segments transmissions for the national prime time newscast.

February 14, 2022

Why RIAS makes a difference – excerpts from two recent applicant essays

The RIAS Berlin Commission receives more than 100 applications each year for its seven exchange programs to the United States and Germany. Some of the essays are especially memorable, in particular when journalists describe in a personal way why they are interested in being part of the exchange program that was created in 1992 — to keep alive the spirit of the legendary Radio In American Sector (RIAS) long after the important Cold War-era source of news, information and music was for West Berlin and East Germany went off the air.

That desire to be part of the RIAS Berlin Commission programs and to become part of the loose network of 1,900 alumni in the United States and Germany was movingly illustrated with these two essays we received recently: the first from an American journalist in Washington DC (who applied for the June program to Germany/Brussels after taking part in a RIAS alumni reunion in Washington last year); and the second from a German journalist from Hamburg (who applied to be on the October program to New York/Washington/a Midwest TV station). Their essays were so moving that we thought we would share excerpts with you:

“Just before the pandemic I was invited to a ‘RIAS Alumni Happy Hour’ in Washington, D.C. A friend of mine had done the Fellowship that summer and he thought I might be interested. To be honest I had never really cared to look at journalism outside of the U.S.  My goal and my focus had been on journalism here. But my view changed drastically that night. 

I was introduced to journalists from Hamburg to Leipzig and everywhere in between. For one of the rare times in my life, I didn’t talk too much. I just listened to their stories. While their beats or coverage were completely different from mine, their struggles and successes felt very similar. I was intrigued. What was even more interesting was what they covered. 

They were at the heart of the stories that are shaping Europe. They were dealing with class and socioeconomic issues of a very young Germany. One where East and West have been united, but only for a few decades. Needless to say, I was extremely jealous. 

I walked away from that night with a burning question in the back of my head: what would it be like to cover international stories? How would I even begin?

As the pandemic wore on the questions didn’t fade, they just grew bolder in my head. I found myself checking in weekly on international stories, watching European News broadcasts, and just about anything to stay on top of what was happening there. The pandemic may have made us socially distant, but it also made us conscious that our world is interconnected and much smaller than we thought.

I told myself, if the opportunity to take part in RIAS happened again, I would try to go. So here I am, asking to take part in your eye-opening and fascinating fellowship. I want to learn how the German news media handles the socio-economic growth of Europe’s largest economy. I want to see the politics coverage up close, as the fault lines of Europe’s political landscape continue to grow. I want to walk away with an idea of how news is done in Germany, and how the country interacts with it. It’s an ambitious goal- and I am sure there is no way to learn it all in one fellowship.

I have had time to think about what is next for me after the pandemic. It occurred to me I may not want to be a US-based journalist for the rest of my career. There are fascinating economic, political, and social stories happening in Europe. I want to be part of that. I don’t expect a RIAS fellowship to prepare me for a career as a European journalist, but I see it as a jumping off point.  While I am here, I can research all I want and watch as many stories as possible-but I won’t know if it is something I can truly pursue or look at, until I see it up close with my own eyes. I’d like to be considered for the RIAS fellowship. I see it as a learning opportunity for my career and possible starting point for a new direction in the next decade.”

 — An American TV journalist in Washington DC

“Please accept this letter as the expression of my enormous interest in the RIAS Berlin Commission Program that I’d like to apply to.

Working as a TV-journalist for more than ten years it has always sounded almost mythical when senior colleagues talked about RIAS. As a former history student, I admire the thoughtful implementation of so many institutions that the allied forces offered Germany after the Second World War, especially in the media sector. “Offered” because it is a gift to a formerly totalitarian society to be given the chance of leaving dictatorship behind, improving itself, reaching democracy. A chance that unfortunately hasn’t been given to the country where my parents came from…that until today is struggling with democratic principles concerning its media, and society as well of course.

As a journalist I’ve been working internationally. And I do not only report but also observe and reflect on our reporting and broadcasting habits in Germany and of the media abroad. I am grateful that our way has been shaped by British and particularly American journalism and not by other principles…with a lack of transparency, or … that is often not comparable to media work according to democratic standards.

As I have never been to the States, all I know about American journalism is formed by the broadcasting available in Germany, newspapers, the Internet (and also movies). I often used The New York Times or Washington Post articles during the two years that I’ve been teaching English to professionals whom I also prepared to work with English speaking partners. But to get to know the different media outlets in the US live and not only from afar seems an extremely promising opportunity to me.

The last six years of my professional life I have been working… as a news anchor…. The outstanding colleagues who had taken part in the RIAS Berlin Commission program always seemed particularly brilliant to me and I always hoped one day to be as accomplished as them to fit the criteria for this important and fruitful exchange program. These colleagues have often reported about the huge steps taken forward in terms of innovation in American newsrooms and so I expect to learn a lot about that during the time spent in the different media outlets. Innovation is often neglected in public broadcasting in Germany and so I will concentrate on collecting tools to help improve the daily tasks of the companies I work for. I believe that social media, audience development and community must be handled in a more professional way than at present in German broadcasting units.

Apart from that I am especially interested in the ways that American outlets treat societal diversity, which is only an upcoming trend in Germany as it is acknowledging its own diversity and the fact that it is an immigration country. I am confident that the American history of ideas, with such important historic issues as the melting pot nowadays rather turning into the concept of the kaleidoscope, can be extremely helpful to my home country that has just decided to commit itself to these concepts. That’s why I am very keen on getting to know such different outlets like those that represent the views of American minorities such as Jewish communities in big cities…

Far from the big city lights, I also take particular interest in media outlets in rather peripheral regions: radio programs or podcasts run by native Americans shed a light on another America than the one perceived in German media day by day. As journalists we always look for the hidden places to be discovered, the untold stories to be told. Germany lacks a lot concerning native American history and I wish to bring back such reports to my editors by the end of the program.

Particularly with this experience, that somehow seems very American, and I hope you’ll forgive me that I didn’t avoid the cliché of “dream big, work hard”, I think that I qualify as a possible fellow to your program. I hope to be part of it this year.”

— A German journalist from Hamburg

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February 4, 2022

RIAS planning seven exchange programs in 2022 — 4 to USA, 3 to Germany

The RIAS Building in Berlin as seen in February 2022. It’s now the home of Deutschlandradio but also the home of the #RIASBerlin Commission since 1992.

More than 1,900 journalists from the United States and Germany have taken part in the one- to three-week fellowships since the exchange program for broadcast journalists in the two countries was created.

The programs began restarting cautiously in the fall of 2021 after a two-year hibernation due to Covid-19 — with three programs in Germany and the United States that more than 50 journalists took part in.

The RIAS Berlin Commission fellowships will be back in full swing in 2022 with a total of seven fellowship exchange programs for about 120 journalists. There will be four exchange fellowships for German broadcast journalists to the USA: in March for 13 professional journalists, in late March/early April for 15 journalism students, in early October for 15 professional journalists and late October just before the mid-term elections for about 32 alumni and friends of RIAS.

There will also be three fellowships to Germany for American journalists: in June for 15 professional American journalists, in late June/early July for 15 American journalism students and in September for 15 professional American journalists. In 2023 RIAS Berlin Commission is planning four fellowships to Germany for Americans and three to the USA for German journalists.

The RIAS Berlin Commission is also planning to hold its 2022 RIAS Media Prize awards ceremony on June 2, provided that prevailing conditions allow. Please check the website www.riasberlin.org or write info@riasberlin.org for more information

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January 19, 2022

Deadline nears for entries 2022 RIAS Media Prize 

The January 31 deadline for entries for the 2022 RIAS Media Prize is quickly approaching. Journalists who have broadcast or produced radio, TV or digital stories that were aired or published in the United States or Germany with a transatlantic aspect during 2021 are eligible for prizes.  There will be a total of up to $12,000 (10,000 EUR) in prize money awarded for the best radio, television and digital stories. That includes a $6,000 (5,000 EUR) grand prize for the single most outstanding entry that was broadcast during 2021. RIAS alumni are especially encouraged to submit their work as there is a special Fellow Category as well.

The winners in 2021 for the year 2020 included Ingo Zamperoni and Birgit Wärnke of ARD Television for their story about Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, the sharp political divisions in the United States, and his American wife’s family, as well as Ryan Delaney of St. Louis Public radio, who won for a series of stories about how Germany kept its schools open during the first stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The winners of several different categories including best TV production, best radio production and best fellow production will be invited to attend a gala awards ceremony in Berlin on June 2, 2022.

The RIAS Media Prize is intended to help strengthen the diversity of transatlantic dialogue and to deepen interest in German-American relations. The stories submitted should go beyond daily and routine reporting, should process information and describe social reality in a remarkable way, and promote dialogue on similarities and differences in transatlantic relations.

Contributions ideally should include one or more of the following: stand out thematically, take on new questions in a creative way, critically examine and make the diversity of social reality clear, contain interesting suggestions for transatlantic debate, encourage reflection on problems and solutions, question clichés about Germans and/or Americans, describe trends in everyday life that are of general interest, contribute in a special way to mutual curiosity and understanding, or be suitable to strengthen democratic and societal values.

Entries must be received by the RIAS Berlin Commission via Email no later than January 31st, 2022. All work submitted must be the primary effort of the person or persons making the entry. RIAS Berlin Commission reserves the right to create additional categories such as a “Jury Prize” for awards or decline to make an award in a category where only a few entries or those of poor quality are received.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: JANUARY 31, 2022

Entries must include:
– full name, title, business address, phone, e-mail,
– posting date(s) of the story, story running length, word count, – story title and brief description
– a brief description of your role

in the production of the story

Clearly indicate the category for your entry:
Categories are: 1) Television 2) Radio 3) Digital (includes podcasts and online) 4) “RIAS Fellow Prize” (best TV, radioor digital entry by a current RIAS participant or RIAS fellow alumni)

A maximum of two entries per person is allowed. An entry is considered to be one single entry when several shorter pieces relate in form or content to a specific category.

All entries must be submitted electronically via Email:
– with a valid URL that is active until at least March 2022 and can be accessed without proprietary information (password) by the RIAS jury.

ALL ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO:

Email: info@riasberlin.org

The RIAS Berlin Commission is a binational organization for the promotion of German-American understanding in the field of broadcasting.

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January 12, 2022

RIAS Alumni Donations Bounce Back in 2021

December 16, 2021

Meet Washington DC’s new alumni chapter leader — Larry Miller

Larry Miller is an award-winning morning and midday anchor at WUSA9 in Washington DC — and a proud RIAS Berlin Commission alumnus. Miller has been an enthusiastic support of the alumni network for the last three years and recently agreed to the honorary position as Washington DC Chapter Leader.

It’s a difficult and sometimes thankless task bringing together RIAS participants from a variety of programs over the last 30 years in a busy city filled with so many other distractions but the indefatigable Miller is enthusiastic about developing the DC alumni network into the best in the world. Before moving to highly competitive Washington DC TV market, Miller worked as an anchor and reporter in Medford, Oregon and Birmingham, Alabama.  We recently had the chance to talk to Miller about his hopes and plans for the Washington DC alumni chapter — which will also be hosting a big alumni gathering in late October 2022 for about 30 German alumni.

You’re the new chapter leader of the Washington DC RIAS alumni chapter. Is that an honor or a burden? 

Larry Miller: I am thrilled to help lead the Washington DC RIAS Alumni Chapter.  I have a lot of ideas for our chapter but it’s important to me that all of our alumni feel connected to RIAS and to the chapter.  So, over the next few weeks, we’ll be spending time reaching out and engaging our alumni to get a better sense of what they want and how RIAS can help.  Given the professionals within our chapter, it’s critical that RIAS expand and innovate to help journalists in various stages of their career while maintaining the foundation by which RIAS is built upon.  I’m looking forward to the future and what we’ll do together.  

Why did you agree to take on this assignment?

Larry Miller: I agreed to take on this assignment because I honestly feel RIAS has enriched my life and reginited by enthusiasm about journalism. When I applied to RIAS, I was looking for an experience that would get me thinking more globally, introduce me to new people, and provide an experience that would test me both emotionally and physically.  I found all of those things in RIAS, it’s staff, and the fellows with whom I would spend two weeks touring Germany and other European countries with. I felt compelled to accept the role as leader of the Washington RIAS Alumni Chapter because I feel a sense of responsibility to make sure this organization and the alumni chapter is well functioning and supportive in the way it was and has been for me. 

You’ve organized some incredible visits to your WUSA9 station for visiting RIAS journalists – putting in a lot of effort to line up several editors/journalists/anchors as guest speakers – and even getting a catered lunch for them. Why do you put so much heart and soul into RIAS?

Larry Miller: I want people, especially RIAS fellows, to feel special when they visit WUSA 9 or DC in general.  I remember how organized and welcoming people were to my fellowship group when we visited. I feel a standard has been set and it’s my responsibility to extend that same level of courteousness to the next group. Kindness and hospitality should always be passed on! 

How do you see the future of the RIAS alumni chapter in Washington DC? 

Larry Miller: My hope for the Washington Alumni Chapter is to create and organize effective programming that serves our alumni interests and enriches their professional lives. We need to be in the business of doing substantive programming where people feel they are walking away smarter and better connected to the organization. When people feel like their membership provides unique benefits and opportunities that can’t be replicated anywhere else, I believe they’ll view chapter events not as a chore but as something they simply cannot miss out on. 

Do you have any events planned?

Larry Miller: Right now, we are in the process of assessing the needs of our membership.  We recently sent an email asking for feedback and suggestions on programming.  Once that information is compiled, it will dictate how we move forward.  I believe we have to be mission driven and focused in our programming.  Give the alumni what they both want and need.  

How do you see the future of the RIAS chapter in Washington? What could be better?

Larry Miller: I envision the Washington RIAS Alumni chapter being one to rival. I see us coordinating events that are smart, fun, and well-attended. Achieving that goal, however, will take direction and most importantly clarity on our part. Everything we do has to be purposeful.  People know when you’re putting bullshit together just for the sake of it. So, once we’re clear on the intention, I believe everything else will fall into place appropriately. 

What’s your favorite part about RIAS? 

Larry Miller: The people. Hands down.  Everyone has an interesting story to tell and when we’re all together it’s like we’ve been friends for a lifetime.  

What’s your least favorite part?

Larry Miller: Worst Part about RIAS? I wish we had more time together and more time to explore together as a group.  

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December 5, 2021

RIAS Media Prize 2022 – Call for Entries 

The RIAS Berlin Commission will hold its annual media prize again in 2022 and urges all journalists in the United States and Germany to submit entries for the prestigious competition.  There will be a total of up to $12,000 (10,000 EUR) in prize money awarded for exceptional radio, television and digital stories that includes a $6,000 (5,000 EUR) grand prize for the single most outstanding entry that was broadcast in either the United States or Germany during 2021.

The winners in 2021 for the year 2020 included Ingo Zamperoni and Birgit Wärnke of ARD Television for their story about Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, the sharp political divisions in the United States, and his American wife’s family, as well as Ryan Delaney of St. Louis Public radio, who won for a series of stories about how Germany kept its schools open during the first stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The winners of several different categories including best TV production, best radio production and best fellow production will be invited to attend a gala awards ceremony in Berlin in May or June 2022.

The RIAS Media Prize is intended to help strengthen the diversity of transatlantic dialogue and to deepen interest in German-American relations. Germany and the USA are each facing new directions in many respects, both internally and externally. Committed, independent journalism can contribute a great deal to mutual understanding of and between countries as well as to an open social discourse about values and goals. The contributions submitted should go beyond daily and routine reporting, should process information and describe social reality in a remarkable way, and promote dialogue on similarities and differences in transatlantic relations.

Ideally, contributions worth consideration should: stand out thematically and/or in their execution; take on new questions in a creative way; critically examine and make the diversity of social reality clear; contain interesting suggestions for transatlantic debate; encourage reflection on problems and solutions; question clichés about Germans and/or Americans; describe trends in everyday life that are of general interest; contribute in a special way to mutual curiosity and understanding; be suitable to strengthen democratic and societal values.

Entries must be received by the RIAS Berlin Commission via Email no later than January 31st, 2022. All work submitted must be the primary effort of the person or persons making the entry. RIAS Berlin Commission reserves the right to create additional categories such as a “Jury Prize” for awards or decline to make an award in a category where only a few entries or those of poor quality are received.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: JANUARY 31, 2022

Entries must include:
– full name, title, business address, phone, e-mail,
– posting date(s) of the story, story running length, word count, – story title and brief description
– a brief description of your role

in the production of the story

Clearly indicate the category for your entry:
Categories are: 1) Television 2) Radio 3) Digital (includes podcasts and online) 4) “RIAS Fellow Prize” (best TV, radioor digital entry by a current RIAS participant or RIAS fellow alumni)

A maximum of two entries per person is allowed. An entry is considered to be one single entry when several shorter pieces relate in form or content to a specific category.

All entries must be submitted electronically via Email:
– with a valid URL that is active until at least March 2022 and can be accessed without proprietary information (password) by the RIAS jury.

ALL ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO:

Email: info@riasberlin.org

The RIAS Berlin Commission is a binational organization for the promotion of German-American understanding in the field of broadcasting.

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November 22, 2021

Gargiulo named RIAS Berlin Commission Alumnus of Year

The RIAS Berlin Commission has awarded Michael Gargiulo, a morning anchor at WNBC TV in New York, with its new Alumnus of the Year title for his indefatigable efforts to bring together American and German journalists. Gargiulo, who first took part in a RIAS program to Germany in 2002, has led the New York City alumni chapter for the last four years and helped organize a group of 17 American RIAS alumni for a week-long program to Berlin in September. The veteran journalist has also been a featured guest speaker at WNBC in New York for visiting groups of German journalists for many years, has recruited American journalists for RIAS programs, helped increase the numbers of entries from the United States for the RIAS Media Prize and has also served on the RIAS jury. But beyond all that Gargiulo has helped connect German journalists with contacts and tips for their stories in the United States and also helped connect American journalists with German contacts.

We had the chance to talk to Gargiulo about being named as the first RIAS Alumnus of the Year:

Gargiulo: I’m both honored and humbled, because so many German and American journalists do so much for RIAS. They invite us into their newsrooms and studios, or set up meetings on a porch in Washington DC in the midst of COVID lockdowns. They host German journalists and allow them to experience what it’s  like to be a “one man band” covering an event in West Texas. They even bring us to the roof of RBB’s building in Berlin to discuss how German broadcasters worked through the pandemic.  My own association with RIAS has meant so much to me in terms of new German and American friends,

professional growth and the chance to learn the German language and understand more about the country I’ve been fascinated with since childhood. 

Why are you so interested in involving the Alumni Network?

Gargiulo:The Alumni Network is the ‘secret sauce’ of RIAS. It’s the biggest benefit of becoming a Fellow.  This week, a Fellow e mailed me about job openings at their network. This summer, I gave two fellows advice on selecting an agent and avoiding bad contract deals. American Fellows helped a German journalist line up interviews on the German astronaut headed up to the International Space Station. I also love getting together with my German Fellows, who are now great friends, whether it’s in New York or Berlin. It’s  a professional connection that works in so many ways.

Isn’t it all time consuming? You’ve got a full-time job as well?

Gargiulo: Well, when you arrive at NBC Studios, as I do, every morning at 3 AM, it’s actually a perfect time to connect with my German colleagues who are 6 hours ahead!  As journalists, we learn to make time count and to get a lot done on deadline so I set aside some time for my RIAS work and it fits fine.”

 

Wasn’t it difficult to organize 17 American Alumni for the Berlin Program?Gargiulo: It was really a challenge. The RIAS alumni and fellows programs had been canceled for over a year at that point. We were in uncharted waters. Most of the journalists I contacted weren’t even back in their newsrooms, and we were asking them to fly overseas. We got a great response and people

really wanted to go. Then Germany put the US back on the High Risk list. We were unsure if we would even be allowed into the country, or if we would be able to get into newsrooms and studios but the Fellows still wanted to go. We had about 23 folks committed, but just before we left, 5 dropped out.  Two couldn’t get passports they had applied for months before. Others cited COVID concerns or were dealing with family health issues. We wondered “Should we just cancel?” We decided though that we should go ahead if the Fellows were still willing … they were and it was an amazing experience.

Were you happy with the outcome of the Berlin Alumni Program ?

Gargiulo: It succeeded beyond my best hopes. I think we understood if this didn’t work it was likely RIAS would cancel other programs for this year.  So we were determined to show RIAS was back. Everyone was enthusiastic and cooperative .. We followed the COVID rules and embraced the changes, like only 4 to an elevator. Most of all, we were so happy to rediscover what we loved about RIAS, meeting fascinating people , having great discussions, and feeling like Berlin is a “second city “ for many of us .

What was the difference between your first RIAS trip in 2002 and the Alumni program?

Gargiulo: My first RIAS trip was a great experience, but in some ways it was more passive … we had a group of around 20 and we traveled in a chartered bus much of the time.  My college German was limited and I didn’t know Berlin at all.  In 2021, our group used buses and subways and one memorable Uber ride to get around. That forces you to learn the city. I used my B1/2-level German every day and all of us seemed  to know of a favorite place in Berlin to eat, or hang out, or get a good deal on a remote phone charger.  It was almost the difference between a high school trip and a university semester abroad.

How can the RIAS Alumni network be further strengthened?

Gargiulo: One word: “engagement”. We can’t only reach out to Alumni when we need something from them: like hosting a German or American journalist in their newsroom. RIAS has to be something they can enjoy: a special event they are invited to in their city, like a private tour of the 9/11 museum or lunch at the German Consulate. Most of all, I think there should be more Alumni programs like this year’s trips to Berlin, Washington and New York. They don’t have to be long , a week at most , but it’s what RIAS members love most about the organization and it will keep people involved. 

Do you enjoy seeing your NY chapter grow or is it frustrating so few take part in your get-togethers?

Gargiulo: The answer is “both”.  Our NY chapter has an E mail list of 75 and these are Alumni who asked to be on the list. The challenges for us as a chapter are enormous.  The New York Chapter is a media market of almost 20 million people in three states.  While many news organizations are headquartered in midtown Manhattan, it’s not always convenient for people who live in Brooklyn or New Jersey to go there for a RIAS NY get together. Everyone works different schedules. What we try to do is to keep everyone engaged through e mails… and offer up events, as we did recently at 1014.NYC, a building co-operated by the German Government as an art and cultural space. If we can get groups of 10-12 people out at a time, I think that’s pretty good.  The goal is to keep coming up with fun and educational events to keep our chapter members interested in RIAS. 

Does the RIAS Alumni Network benefit you at all?

Gargiulo: When I first started my involvement with RIAS, I noticed that the German journalists would hang out together at an event and the Americans would gather in their own group… and after my first RIAS trip, my contacts were only with the American journalists I had traveled with.  That’s totally changed. During and after 2021’s exchange programs, Americans and Germans went out to dinner together on their own… arranged outings together and sent  group messages back and forth across the Atlantic on Slack.  Personally, German journalists went from being someone we met during a tour  at ARD or RBB… to friends.  Martin Richter,  Petra Gute, Mitri Sirin, Vladimir Balzer,  Bartosz Dudek… I love the fact that they are my community in Germany … and that professionally I can call on them to help me go the right way on a story…but most of all, I treasure our friendships and look forward to when we can get together in Berlin or New York .

You not only help recruit Americans for programs and media, but you also help Germans in the USA with media and military contacts. Why do you do all that?

Gargiulo: I’ve worked at 7 television stations in 5 states and the District of Columbia in my career. Everytime you are in a new place, it can be tough to figure out who to call to get an interview, to get information or to set up a story…and the procedures for that in Germany may be very different than in  Minnesota. That’s why I try to help my German colleagues navigate our American journalistic practices. I  remember my first days at WLKY in Louisville or WTTG in Washington DC and being totally lost trying to get information on a story. I like to do what I can to ease that transition for our RIAS members. 

What is your favorite part of RIAS?

Gargiulo: RIAS has quite literally opened a new world for me. For many  local TV reporters and anchors, our professional lives tend to be limited to local politics, crime and the stories that concern the city we’re  working in at the time. Thanks to RIAS, I’ve been involved in discussions over what the new “Ampel coalition” will look like in Berlin. I’ve walked through Kreuzberg to see how it’s changing and how it came to symbolize a more diverse Germany.   I’ve seen how Germans deal with redistricting political boundaries without resorting to the American practice of Gerrymandering. RIAS has made me a better journalist back here at home but also provided me with experiences I would never be able to have as a local TV reporter, covering the latest at City Hall.

What is your least favorite part of RIAS?

Gargiulo:   It is always a challenge to convince our own news organizations in the United States how valuable RIAS is. Unlike our German colleagues, we have to fight to take even a week off from work to participate in a program ..and getting two weeks, as I did back in 2002, often means giving up vacation time for the rest of the year.  Employers are often skeptical despite our arguments that it is a cost free way to give their employees an experience that will make them better journalists and more motivated in their careers.  I can’t tell you how often I am trying to recruit a reporter in Boise or Chicago and I hear back…. I’d love to, but I can’t get the time off. 

How would you make RIAS even better?

Gargiulo: I think we have to work on two tracks. One is to increase our efforts to recruit American journalists and to try and convince their employers that RIAS works for them too. I think we have to hold more Alumni events and invite more prospective participants to those events. Recruitment is going to be a one to one effort.  We have to keep appealing to our contacts who employ journalists to make the RIAS  program a reward for promising journalists. I always say if a TV station can give an employee something other than money to motivate them, it’s a good deal! The second track is to expand the Alumni programs the costs of which are partially paid by the Alumni themselves. These trips really motivate the Alumni and encourage them to do more for RIAS. I think we should try and do an alumni trip to the US and to Germany every year. It only has to be a week…and it can be 2 meetings a day, not a full schedule, but it will give something for our Alumni to really look forward to. 

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November 17, 2021

RIAS Media Prize Ceremony postponed, programs resume in March

The RIAS Media Prize ceremony that was planned for December 1 has been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The ceremony is now planned for May 2022 and will honor RIAS Media Prize winners from the 2020 and 2021 competitions. The May 2022 media prize awards ceremony in Berlin will also pay tribute to the winners for productions aired in 2021 that will be selected by an independent RIAS Media Prize jury in early 2022.

RIAS exchange programs are also scheduled to continue again in March 2022, depending on the prevailing corona conditions. A standard program for German journalists is tentatively scheduled for March 7-25 with one week in Washington DC, one week in New York City and one individual “station week” working with an American journalist at a small station in the Midwest, West or South.

There will also be a student program from March 18 to April 8 with one week in New York and two weeks at an American university working with students on their campus radio and tv stations. A two-week program for American journalists to Germany and Brussels is scheduled for early June and a three-week student program for American students is scheduled for late June/early July. There area also plans for a second two-week program for Americans in September, a second three-week program for Germans in early October and a one-week program for German alumni in Washington DC in late October. Further information available at info@riasberlin.org

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November 8, 2021

Observations from RIAS program in USA for alumni, senior editors

Thirty broadcast journalists from across Germany took part in a week-long RIAS Berlin Commission fellowship program in New York City in late October. After nearly 20 meetings with journalists, politicians, diplomats, actors, fashion experts, law enforcement, Africa-American leaders, Jewish leaders, NGOs, experts on the 9/11 trauma and experts from the world of fashion, here are some of their reflections:

Mitri Sirin, ZDF Berlin: It began by seeing Obama, and ended talking to the Crisis Communication Manager of Harvey Weinstein. What a program and what a truly fantastic week! This RIAS Alumni Program in New York has exceeded my expectations by far. I’m on the plane to Berlin, but would actually prefer to continue my time in NYC. The energy of New York, the intensity of the new impressions, of the people and their interesting talks paired with the pace of the city demanded and encouraged me. I have to thank RIAS for this incomparably good program, which has broadened my horizons and will certainly inspire me in the long term.  I was also impressed with the energy of our group of veterans, if I may put it that way. Cool, nice, experienced and well-trained journalists, all of them incredibly curious and thirsty for knowledge, and their joy in the program could be felt every day and into the late night. To all of you: Thank you very much. My advice to all the other journalists who are reading this now and who are not yet part of the RIAS circle: Apply and get involved in this network. In short: RIAS inspires, informs and you surely benefit from being a part of it!  

Petra Gute; rbb Fernsehen Berlin/ARD: “New York’s making a comeback – get on board” we read on a poster in the “Long Island Rail Road”, which took us, fresh from Berlin at JFK airport, straight to an “early voting campaign rally” with Barack Obama and the governor of New Jersey (and former USA ambassador in Berlin) Phil Murphy through the city to Weequahic Park in New Jersey. What a spectacular start to an intense, jam-packed, unforgettable week of thr RIAS alumni program in New York!  We were among the first to get back in to New York, after a year and a half of the Covid19 pandemic that inflicted severe wounds on the “Big Apple.” These wounds could still be felt everywhere, not only in the many closed stores in the city or the many American journalist colleagues who still work from their home offices. We learned more about the other great wound of New York

 that still hurts so many: Gordon Huie,  surviver of 9/11 at the site itself, led us through the “9/11 Tribute Center” recalling how he had patched up many wounded people that day as a first-aid doctor, and how he learned on the evening of 9/11 that his sister Susan had died in the World Trade Center. He’s still traumatized, and he’s going to die soon himself, he says, struggling to breathe: the dust he breathed in lower Manhattan that day probably caused the cancer in his body. For me, 9/11 will now forever have two faces, the one of Gordon and the one of his sister Susan.  In general, all the people 
we met in New York, brought us closer to the city and offered us so many, different perspectives: first and foremost, Frieda Vizel, who took us on her very private tour through her old home, the Hasidic, Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Williamsburg. Or Alina Cho, who talked to fashion entrepreneur Tory Burch at the MET Museum, again showed us another side of the U.S. that involves a lot of money, and from Juda Engelmeyer, crisis PR consultant (to Harvey Weinstein, among others) we learned how dirty the movie business in Hollywood really is. Then there was our meeting with the young journalist Tiffany L. Zeno from NBCUniversal and the charismatic Reverend Dr. Calvin Butts at the “Red Rooster” in Harlem, where we learned so much more about everyday racism in the U.S. and the lives of African American residents. We also met with our many great American journalist colleagues like Adam Reiss (Thanks Adam for all your effort and your many great ideas!), Michael Gargiuolo, Clare Toeniskoetter and many more! We could never have managed and organized such an incredible program and the really great thing about this RIAS Berlin Commission Alumni Program in New York is that we got to experience all this together with so many wonderful, experienced journalist colleagues from all over Germany. In addition to the many connections in the U.S., the RIAS Berlin Commission program also creates a large, intra-German network of journalists. From my very first RIAS Berlin Commission program 21 years ago, lifelong friendships have developed, we have experienced together how our children were born and are now slowly growing up, we have followed each other’s professional careers, and we have always shared memories of our time together in the U.S. in October 2000. This week in October 2021 will be just as unforgettable! I just can’t get enough of this city. And of America.  Which I was able to get to know so much better through these programs. Thank you, RIAS Berlin Commission, for this great gift!  PS – Here is a story on NYC that Petra Gute did for RBB TV.

Nina Hansen, ARD Hamburg: A deep dive into the Hasidic world – definitely my highlight of the 2021 alumni program. I loved that Frieda shared her story with us and answered all our questions so openly. As an outsider and a woman, it was – and to a certain extend still is – hard to grasp why so few women follow her example and leave the community, but at least I understand Hasidic life much better now than I did before. I am really glad I got to take the tour, it gave a unique insight. Thanks again Frieda – and thank you RIAS!

Iris Ollech, Phoenix Bonn: The program was like the Big Apple itself: exciting, diverse, colorful, stunning, fast-paced, unique, truly unforgettable. It was a journalist‘s dream come true. RIAS opened doors, allowed inspiring glimpses behind the scenes of the Big Apple and introduced us to many fascinating personalities. All of them were inspiring, each had unique stories to tell and interesting views to share. I was glad that they gave me an idea of how New York ticks. Now it is time to reflect. And wondering what I will remember looking back in ten, twenty years, there will be one encounter I will never forget: Gordon Huie who was affected by 9/11 in three ways: he is a survivor, rescuer and he lost his sister Susan in the attack. I was touched by his strength, positive attitude and gentleness. He asked us to share his story as one example of thousands to keep the memories alive – and I will, do along with many more special moments from this exciting trip! Thank you, RIAS! 

Micha Wagenbach, ZDF Berlin: New York is always special. But coming to this city now, 20 years after 9/11 and at a time when it is just slowly recovering from the pandemic it suffered so much from, was very special. And through our great interlocutors, we were able to witness this process of recovery live. Many issues were familiar to us, but it was through the people we were able to speak with that they really took shape. The conversations with the Reverend of the Black community in Harlem, the drop-out from the ultra-orthodox Jewish community in Williamsburg, the relative of a victim of 9/11 or even the UN Ambassador will remain unforgotten to me, just like this amazing trip! Thanks to RIAS for the opportunity to experience it all like this

Maren Hellwege-Beck, BR Münich: What a fantastic opportunity this week in New York was! It is always so stimulating to meet these many different people, to be in direct contact with them and to learn from them about so many different topics. I would never otherwise have been able to get such deep insight into these personal views and unfiltered, direct and highly relevant information. I always find it very inspiring to experience how people from other countries with another cultural background and socialization look at things in a way sometimes very different from what we are used to and know from our lives in Germany. And at the same time, to also see what Americans think about Germany. Thank you, RIAS for this amazing chance, for this highly valuable network and for all the memories and all the valuable information and insights I got during this alumni week in New York!

Michael Stang, Deutschlandfunk, WDR: New York is slowly waking up from its Covid19 hibernation and RIAS was there – a week before Europeans are allowed to travel to the US regularly again. Even though many appointments were difficult to organize due to the pandemic, we joined an exciting program. Especially the appointments at The Amsterdam News, the Anti-Defamation League and 1014, where we met Ulla Schmidt, member of the Board of Directors, I learned a lot. After a long time without international travel for all of us caused by corona, it became clear again how important the transatlantic exchange is for mutual understanding.

Martin Richter, Phoenix Bonn: A week with RIAS in New York- what a fantastic experience! Immersing myself in this metropolis of millions, which is struggling with the pandemic as dramatically as hardly any other in the USA. Together with 30 colleagues from German editorial offices, I had the opportunity to find out through many conversations how people in the Big Apple live with this situation, how they think, feel and cope with their everyday lives. Whether journalists, contemporary witnesses, politicians or artists – these encounters were an enrichment and a great experience for me. So many moments that remain in my memory and heart…Obama’s campaign appearance, Frieda Vizel’s tour of Williamsburg, Reverend Butts in Harlem, the touching tour with Gordon Huie at the 9/11 Tribute Museum… A thousand thanks to RIAS for such a great time! Once again RIAS has built a transatlantic bridge between American and German journalists.

Anja Heyde, ZDF/MDR: Each RIAS trip is intense. Each one is special. This one was very special. Coming to New York at a time when the city is just trying to get back to a state of normalcy – despite all the wounds caused by Covid – was incredibly enlightening. A Covid testing station on every corner and Broadway on the mend. But what is Covid, in light of 9/11? For me, one of the most touching meetings on this trip was the visit to the 9/11 Tribute Museum and the very personal conversation with Gordon Huie. An encounter that was as painful as it was beautiful, because of his authenticity. These personal meetings, in contrast to the political background-conversations, are pieces of a puzzle creating a picture of the city and the country that you don`t get from a distance. I`m grateful to be a part of the RIAS Alumni Community!

Boris Baumholt, WDR: What a great and inspiring week with such wise and moving people. I’m so glad to have had this experience. George W. Bush was still president when I was in the USA with RIAS for the first time 14 years ago.  Racism was a big issue back then.  Few seriously believed that a young black senator from Illinois would win the presidential election just a year later. A lot has happened since then. On this trip, we spoke with Reverend Calvin O. Butts and WNBC Producer Tiffany Zeno in Harlem about how the country has changed. It was an impressive conversation and, at the same time, a frustrating realization.  Racism is still the same big issue in the United States as it was back then, maybe even more so. In Harlem, Obama is not seen as heroic as so many Europeans consider him to be. He has disappointed many in the black community. Trump has polarized the country even more. Reverend Butts impressed me by how he continues to fight for radical change. Giving up is not an option. Thanks, RIAS, for this fascinating and exciting week.

André Schünke, NDR: This was REALLY a deep-dive into New York City! A city slowly recovering from Covid19. There are free testing-stations all over the city, most of the people wear face-masks both on the streets and trains – and in every restaurant our proof of vaccination was very accurately checked. Now used to these restrictions, they couldn’t stop us from having a fabulous RIAS alumni week in this great, city, meeting so many different people – each of them fascinating in a different way. Starting out with “No. 44“ –  Barack Obama – at an election campaign event in New Jersey, followed by Reverend Calvin Butts, talking to us on the troubles, especially for the people of color living in Harlem every day. The “Grand Finale“ was meeting with communications expert Juda Engelmayer on Friday: The only guy in the US (besides his attorneys), who is in contact with imprisoned Hollywood-mogul Harvey Weinstein nearly every week! Engelmayer tried to explain the “Weinstein Case“ to us from his perspective. This made it clear to many of us that it’s always worth it to at least try to change perspective, in particular, as a journalist! All in all, the most interesting part of this program for me was the tour of “Hasidic Williamsburg“ with Frieda, who was married to an Hasidic Jew, but got divorced (which is nearly impossible in the Hasidic community), and left him and all her family together with her son, to lead a free life: Extremely fascinating, how people in this part of Brooklyn still live like they did a hundred years ago – just a few blocks away from other “Williamsburg Hipsters“. New York still can be a place for everyone – as long as they can afford this costly place. The prices in New York were even higher than they were before Covid19. Special thanks to RIAS for all these great experiences – everything packed into just one week. Perfect!

Anja Martini, ARD Tagesschau: Great, interesting, impressive, powerful and exciting – these are the first words I think of after this week. We had the opportunity to meet a lot of exciting people: Reverent Calvin Butts talked to us about the situation in Harlem and the challenges of Covid to his community. We met Frieda – who walked with us through Hasidic Williamsburg. And we listened to Gordon Huie at the 9/11 Tribute Museum. He is a survivor and rescuer and told us his story in a very touching and personal way. Those were just three of the highlights of the week. RIAS opened the door for us to enable many conversations that allowed us to take a deeper, more differentiated look at American society. Although there are always opportunities to expand your horizons, the exchange between journalists is particularly valuable – not only among the German participants, but also between American and German journalists. All of this enriches my work and my life – thank you RIAS!!

Cornelia Gerhard, Phoenix Bonn: Sitting on a train back to Cologne, I feel so full – with impressions, feelings, news insights, thoughts. Each time you get to New York, the city offers you so much of all of those things. I thought I knew about racism, but then we talked to Tiffany Zeno and Reverend Butts and their experiences every day. I thought Ihad heard so much about 9/11, but then we met Gordon Huie and listened to his story with tears in our eyes. And that is exactly what makes the difference: talking, meeting people, exchanging views, feeling the atmosphere. I have been to New York several times, but never walked 6th Avenue in the middle of the street, still having that gospel from the service we just attended in my ears. What an intense and rewarding week! Thank you for everything RIAS.

Vladimir Balzer, Deutschlandradio Berlin: RIAS has always been a great opportunity to get incredible insights into the complex US society. Bringing German journalists to all parts of the country provides them with so many occasions to talk, to contribute, to exchange and, by that, to hold up the transatlantic ties.  This trip was the first that brought German alumni back to the States since the start of the pandemic and it exceeded even the highest expectations. Not only did we see Barack Obama just two hours after landing, we also talked to Harvey Weinstein’s (crisis-) communication manager, met famous Harlem Reverend Calvin Butts who talked on issues of racial justice and the challenges of Covid to his community, listen to the compelling stories of 9/11 survivor Gordon Huie (whose life turned upside down that day), stroll through the Chassidic neighborhood of Williamsburg led by Frieda Vizel, who left the community but kept ties. I could go on! In short: New York showed how much energy and strength it has, even though it’s been the US city that suffered most from the pandemic. This place is just incredible, inspiring and full of stories. And RIAS Berlin Commission provided an inspiring program – as always. This time enriched by the spirit of the ever-growing alumni network of American and German journalists. Surrounded by all these great and talented colleagues, I felt in the perfect place. We all benefit from each other and bring progress to our common journalistic goal: telling real stories of real people – through actually meeting and listening to them and, by that, improving the understanding of each other. Here is a story that Vladimir Balzer did for Deutschlandfunk radio on New York.

Vivienne Radermacher, WDR: The variety of the several meetings was impressive; experiences were enormous. From the black community and the talk with Rev. Calvin Butts about ongoing discrimination to the closed Hasidic community in Williamsburg and the guided tour there with Frida Vizel. From the emotional testimony of the triple 9/11 victim Gordon Haie to the crisis manager and friend of Harvey Weinstein, Juda Engelmeyer. From the German UN ambassador Sautter (deputy permanent representative at the UN) with his open judgement to the former FBI agent Peter Donald and the citizen App. It will take time to digest it all. This intense week shows once again how important the RIAS Program is. Even in these pandemic times, it was possible to have this exciting program, even before the US officially reopens. New York is waking up again and we were able to witness it.

Steffi Clodius, ARD Hamburg: And all that JAZZ!!! So, now the one-week trip to New York City is coming to an end. I am sitting at Newark International Airport, waiting for the flight back home to Frankfurt. Slightly exhausted after an outstanding week, a bit gloomy with having had to say goodbye, yet looking forward to being back home soon – and, finally, full of impressions. I am asking myself, “What comes first?”, and find it hard to say; so many interesting people, places, encounters, discussions. My personal favorite was probably Gordon Huie. His story of 9/11, his heart-breaking grief losing his beloved sister Sue, and finally his own health suffering from the dust of the collapsing towers: I can say for sure that I am never going to forget that decent, calm and friendly man. I was comparably impressed with Frieda Vizel’s extraordinary biography, combined with being confronted with the utterly exotic life in ultra-orthodox Williamsburg. This really was like catching a glimpse of a completely different world, perhaps even universe. So those are the heavy weights of my trip, but of course there are also lighter ones…The legendary Schweinebar reminded me a good deal of what life was like before the pandemic. Finding a jukebox featuring my all-time favourite band Manic Street Preachers (Welsh and thus in the US widely unknown) in Manhattan – of all places! – was positively verging on a world wonder. Last but not at all least, there is New York itself: This amazing city with its lights and glimmer gives me a kick whenever I visit it. I love simply strolling along taking pictures! As a tied-to-the-desk editor who rarely travels, I have to say that these opportunities which RIAS offers really broaden my mind – so thanks to all you folks for making this trip unforgettable! Wish I had a selfie with the whole bunch of us – now it has to be Brooklyn Bridge filling in for you!

Marc Krüger, Podcast Freelancer, Berlin: How many impressions fit into one week? New York always asks you this question – but in the midst of a pandemic, and after lockdowns, standstill and crisis, I realize that everything felt a bit more intense, outstanding and challenging in this city: 9/11 survivors, ex-Hesidians, ex-FBI, communications professionals, human rights activists, Goethe employees, pastors, journalists, designers, the people on the streets, in the stores, in the parks, bars and restaurants. All in just one week. Wow! Thank you RIAS for a special experience, a return to normality and the feeling of being back, somehow. And thanks to the great RIAS 2021 alumni group.

Mirja Fiedler, NDR, ARD and RBB: NBC, New York Times and Wall Street journalists, United Nations and German diplomats, a 9/11 survivor and a Hollywood mogul’s PR manager, stakeholders in the African-American and Jewish communities – just some of the amazing encounters I experienced during the RIAS alumni program in New York City. It had been my dream to return to the United States for a long time. The German-American RIAS Berlin Commission made it come true. The program gave me unique insights into U.S. culture, politics and the transatlantic relationship which I’m going to benefit from at work. An inspiring week with a great group. These special moments will last for a lifetime.

Oliver Sallet, Deutsche Welle Washington DC: Having lived and worked in the US for 3 years now and having travelled to New York fairly frequently, I was particularly surprised to see the city from a different angle and learn so many new details that I wouldn’t have without RIAS. For me, the program has always been about getting to know a different side of America, and the Alumni week stood up to that expectation, be it in talks with Harvey Weinstein’s communication advisor or meeting Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn. One of the best aspects of RIAS is the transatlantic Alumni network of truly enthusiastic German and American journalists, that has been ever-growing over years. What a unique chance to meet many of them in one city. I will take many new impressions, contacts and story ideas back home to Washington.

Anne Sieger, ARD Cologne: Coming to New York with RIAS this time felt like emerging from a bubble of numbness. Still mostly working from home, it has been a long time since I was last around so many people and got so much input. Walking through Hasidic Williamsburg with Frieda, listening to Gordon at the 9/11 Tribute Museum or talking to Reverend Butts in Harlem were just three of many highlights. Apart from the official schedule, it was the little unplanned encounters that made this trip special: The ferryman telling me how he went back and forth all day on 9/11, saving people but also helping a man who desperately wanted to go to Manhattan to find his wife and child. Although the ferryman wasn’t allowed to take anyone back to Manhattan, he finally agreed. Only minutes after that man got off the ferry in Manhattan, the second tower collapsed. The ferryman felt guilty, but after two awful weeks the family came to see him – they had all survived. We have all read about these things happening, but listening to someone in person still is very different. I‘m grateful to RIAS for being able to experience this jam-packed, tiring but inspiring week.  So, although the Jaume Plensas sculpture on the Hudson river waterfront may suggest that Manhattan should stay quiet, I certainly enjoyed the noise.

Kerstin Ruskowski, Freelance Reporter/Deutschlandfunk Nova, WDR: What a week! Despite the ongoing pandemic, we had lots of interesting appointments – already making the first two days feel like an entire week: We met fellow journalists at NBC, WNBC and from the New York Times Podcast ‘The Daily’, as well as in Harlem at the New York Amsterdam News. A 9/11 survivor shared his very personal story of how he had experienced the attacks and how they completely altered his life. Plus, we got to take a guided tour through the Hasidic neighborhood of Williamsburg, which was one-of-a-kind. The alumni week in New York was inspiring in many ways: full of input, interesting talks and new friendships. I am very thankful that I got the opportunity to take part and share in this wonderful experience. Thank you, RIAS! Keep up the good work of bringing together US and German journalists to broaden everyone’s horizon.

Lydia Leipert, Bayerischer Rundfunk: A week in New York. To be honest, the RIAS Alumni trip to NYC in the fall of 2021 felt so much longer; because of the great input we had the chance to get every day: from great insights into the culture of the Hasidic community in Williamsburg – a restricted life surrounded by the dazzling metropolis – meeting with the PR advisor of Harvey Weinstein, to the chance to find out more about the world of Broadway from a true Broadway performer and singer. I really appreciated the chance to experience the city for the first time since the pandemic began to see how it has recovered. Thanks so much for these exciting, inspiring and charming days in the “city that never sleeps”. Thank you RIAS.

Björn Heckmann, RTL: It’s the people that make a difference. The people we met in New York City told us their stories and gave us their perspectives on life in the United States. They helped us understand and hopefully also explain to others why things sometimes appear to be so different here from a European perspective. It’s such a gift to meet all these special and hospitable people during this RIAS program. To get the opportunity to gain insight into so many exciting and surprising aspects of US society, media, business, politics, religion – you name it. One of the most impressive encounters for me was to talk to a 9/11 survivor and rescuer who explained very personally what he had experienced and what severe impact this has had on his life every single day since then. “I still see it, I hear it, I taste it.”, he said, describing the moment when the first tower collapsed and the poisonous and destructive wave of dust and debris covered him and everything around him. The RIAS program enables a big step to be taken in the direction of mutual transatlantic understanding and makes the US much more personal, visible, understandable. Thank you, RIAS, for having me as an alumnus. I consider myself lucky to be a part of your community. It is a “win-win-win” for everyone!

Michail Paweletz, NDR Hamburg: This is me on “SUMMIT One Vanderbilt”, feeling slightly dizzy at this height, which allows me a new perspective on a world I thought I knew. I made similar perspective-changing experiences on every single day at RIAS by listening to Reverend Dr. Calvin Butts, who gave a historical overview about the instruments of racism – housing and medical issues to dominate POC, methods, I have never heard about before. There was Tiffany Zeno, a brilliant Black colleague, describing the effect of racism on her work ethic. The credo “failure is not an option” made unambiguously clear how exhausting it is to be black. Then, there was the opposite, the Hassidim who refused to fulfill the expectations of western society. The tour that Frieda, a former member of the Satmar-Hassidim, was breathtaking. The impact of the Holocaust seemed visible, and it reminded me that there are two kinds of freedom. “Frei von etwas zu sein“ or “frei sein, etwas zu tun”. There were glimpses of hope for a change.  Supported by a mostly female team, Senior Producer Clare Toeniskoetter from New York Times created the world’s most successful podcast “The Daily”. It was such a fabulous moment when Clare explained how the project became so successful and what kind of mindset it took to get there.  There was the PR Manager Jude Engelmayer who calls himself a “truth doctor”. His eloquence and method of looking for weak spots in journalists’ work to control and change narratives of “bad guys” into stories of “vulnerable individuals” were impressive. It reminded me how conscientiously we should do our work as journalists. As journalists, we need insights from people like Jörg Schumacher from the Goethe Institut, Michael Fatica, Gordon Huie, Scott Richman ADL, Lou Charbonneau UN, Alina Cho to give us an idea of their work. Thank you all. But the biggest “Danke” goes to Adam Reiss from NBC who put this great program together and to Erik Kirschbaum, who did a great job in setting up moments in which we got the idea that things can work differently. Perspectives which sometimes cause a slight dizziness. 

Sabine Krebs, ARD Nairobi Kenya: What a week, what a fantastic time! Just back from vibrant Nairobi with a few days off inbetween I started directly to New York. I have  been there several times, but I’m always fascinated. It is so colorful, so progressive, so diverse … I could stay there for months. This single week was so fully packed – with such impressive people. First of all, I will never forget listening to Gordon at the 9/11 Tribute Museum: „I don’t need a script, I livedthrough it“ – he told us. And I felt it. He was terribly affected through the loss of his sister, Susan. But he survived when the first tower collapsed. Even the Williamsburg Tour with Frieda was impressive – It’s such a different world.  I’m so grateful to RIAS for the chance to meet all these peopleand to connect with colleagues. I will go back with a lot of new ideas, impressions and contacts. I am grateful to be part of the RIAS Alumni community!

Guido Meyer, Deutschlandfunk Bonn: The view says it all. This is MY city now. On a 2nd thought – no, of course it’s not. New York has so much more to offer. I hadn’t been here in more than 20 years, and it was great to be back – to be together with a really interesting group of alumni and to meet people I would not have met without this RIAS program. Be it through cultural, political or social appointments or speakers – the program offered great insight into the city but also into the American “way of life, which you never can learn enough about. Cheers from Manhattan!

Marius Zekri, NDR Radio Hamburg: As journalists, we deal with news from the US every day. But during this week, that news became alive. This RIAS alumni trip was a deep dive into American society. First and foremost, this was made possible by all the interesting people that we met. It is different hearing about racism in the US through a first hand account of someone who experiences it on a daily basis verses simply reading about it in the news. It is different seeing the images of 9/11 on TV verses talking to a person who was at Ground Zero on that day and who saw all the horror with his own eyes. Walking through the Hasidic neighborhood of Brooklyn with a former member of that community or getting insights from an actor into life on Broadway after Corona. RIAS made things like this possible and brought people together to create opportunities to meet and exchange real-life experiences. What do I take home from this trip? A lot of information and inspiration that will last a long time.

 Philipp Eins, freelance radio/podcast Berlin: The US is always ahead of us Europeans when it comes to digital media development. What can we learn from the New York Times podcast division? Which digital formats will prevail? Urgent questions for me as a freelance podcast producer. And exciting insights that the RIAS program offered. It’s great to be part of this network!

Bartosz Dudek, Deutsche Welle
The new RIAS Alumni Program in New York has not only met, but entirely exceeded my expectations. Meeting great speakers like Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts and David Harris, listening to the 9/11 survivor and helper Gordon Huie and taking part in a guided tour throughout the Hasidic borough of Williamsburg gave me in-depth insights on the current social and political issues of the US. All of this complemented by the networking both with American and German colleagues: what a great personal and professional enrichment!

Susan Kalmbach, BR Radio Munich
Soon, a small, red Isetta vintage car will be painting the streets of downtown Manhattan. The owner is Markus Koch, who we visited in his Brooklyn office with RIAS last week. Markus is a German Wall Street Journalist, living and working for more than 20 years in New York City. He is hoping to snatch up some new interview partners, such as big financial players and company bosses, with his extraordinary car. The RIAS fellowship offered us the opportunity to learn more about Germany’s role in the United Nations. Executive ambassador Sautter emphasized the necessary perseverance to keep diplomatic conversations alive. Further, we had an impressive encounter with the crisis communications expert Juda Engelmeyer, who currently works for disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. Reflecting on my week with my RIAS fellows, the single week feels like ten weeks of experiences gained. We had enriching insights into the day-to-day routine of our American colleagues. And there was time left to enjoy the multifaceted city of New York. Thank you very much, RIAS, for this unique experience!

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November 3, 2021

Obama, Murphy highlight of RIAS Berlin Commission alumni program in USA

Thirty top journalists from across Germany took part in the first RIAS Berlin Commission program designed especially for RIAS alumni and senior editors from Germany. The aim of the week-long program in New York at the end of October was to learn more about how the country’s largest city has emerged from a difficult 20-month period coping with the Covid-19 pandemic.

It featured nearly 20 meetings with a wide variety of journalists, politicians, diplomats, law enforcement experts, African-American community leaders, Jewish leaders, non-government organizations, experts on the trauma of 9/11, a Broadway actor and experts from the world of fashion.

Because many of the American newsrooms and offices were still closed to external visitors and in some cases to their own staff members, most of the RIAS guest speakers held their meetings either outdoors in parks, in front of or in the lobbies of iconic buildings like Rockefeller Center, on walking tours or in cafes or restaurants.

It was the third such program for RIAS alumni — some of the 1,900 journalists on both sides of the Atlantic who have taken part in standard two- to three-week or longer programs in the past 25 years. A first group of 30 American RIAS alumni took part in a similar week-long alumni program in November 2019 to observe and accompany events marking the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

A second group of 17 American RIAS alumni took part in a week-long program in September 2021 to observe and accompany the German federal elections on September 27 — and many of them reported on the elections to their stations back home in the United States. The group of 30 Germans who visited New York were originally scheduled to visit Washington DC in October 2020 right before the U.S. presidential election but that program was postponed to 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The goal of these new alumni programs is to help keep alive the spirit of the Cold War-era radio and TV station RIAS as well as to strengthen the ties and networks between German and American journalists in both countries,” said RIAS Berlin Commission Executive Director Erik Kirschbaum. “It’s exciting to see how many German and American journalists have kept in contact with each other over the years and even more exciting to see how many new contacts are made among German and American journalists are made on each of our first three alumni programs.”

 

On their trip to New York: the German alumni watched with press passes as New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy campaigned for re-election at a rally in nearby Newark together with support from former President Barack Obama; learned more about NBC news from Adam Reiss, Bryan Weakland,  Jake Ward, Tiffany Zeno and Michael Gargiulo; learned more in Harlem about racism from the Reverend Calvin O. Butts from the Abyssinian Church and New York Amsterdam News publisher Elinor Tatum.

 

The Germans also had an eye-opening walking tour of the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn with Frida Vizel, who left the Hasidic Jewish community many years ago and expertly describes how the closely knit families there have managed for generations to stave off the usual assimilation processes in the United States. Vizel has been giving small-group tours of the fascinating section of Brooklyn that is just across the East River from Manhattan that many Americans know precious little about.

The German broadcast journalists from leading networks across the country also visited Jörg Schumacher, director of the Goethe Institute in New York, AJC Executive Director David Harris and had the chance to interview Broadway actor Michael Fatica before seeing the musical “Chicago”.

There was a visit to the 9/11 Tribute Museum and a moving talk with survivor Gordon Huie, a talk with Anti-Defamation League New York Director Scott Richman, Germany’s U.N. deputy ambassador Günter Sautter, General Consul David Gill, DAAD North America director Benedikt Brisch, and a talk with New York Times “The Daily” senior producer Clare Toeniskoetter before a RIAS reunion meeting with New York-area American alumni and former German Health Minister Ulla Schmidt at “1014” Fifth Avenue — the former Goethe House in the heart of New York City designed to create a space to explore global challenges and opportunities that is quickly becoming an important home for German-American encounters.

NTV stock market guru and entrepreneur Markus Koch, former NYC police commissioner and security analyst Peter Donald, fashion mogul Tory Burch, crisis communication manager Jude Engelmayer, U.N. director Human Rights Watch Lou Charbonneau, ARD’s New York offices, and Spiegel correspondent Marc Pitzke were also featured guest speakers. The next RIAS Berlin Commission alumni program is scheduled to take place in late October 2022 in Washington DC just ahead of the 2022 midterm elections in the United States. Anyone interested in that program should contact their alumni chapter leaders in Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, Munich or Mainz or write info@riasberlin.org. The next alumni program for Americans will be in 2023. 

Here are the participants from the October 2021 RIAS alumni program to New York:

Martin Richter, Phoenix, Bonn, Michail Paweletz, NDR Hamburg, Vladimir Balzer, Deutschlandradio, Berlin, Mitri Sirin, ZDF, Berlin, Anja Heyde, ZDF, Berlin, Mirja Fiedler, NDR, Hamburg, Andre Schünke, NDR, Hamburg, Anja Martini, ARD, Hamburg, Anne Sieger, ARD, Cologne, Björn Heckmann, RTL, Cologne, Cornelia Gerhard, Phoenix, Bonn, Guido Meyer, Deutschlandfunk, Bonn, Iris Ollech, Phoenix, Bonn, Kerstin Ruskowski, Deutschlandfunk Nova/WDR, Cologne, Lydia Leipert, BR, Munich, Marc Krueger, podcast freelancer, Berlin, Maren Hellwege-Beck, BR, Munich, Nina Hansen, ARD, Hamburg, Petra Gute, RBB, Berlin, Philipp Eins, freelance radio/podcast, Berlin, Sabine Krebs, ARD, Nairobi, Kenya, Steffi Clodius, ARD, Hamburg, Susan Falkenstein, BR radio, Munich, Boris Baumholt, WDR, Duesseldorf, Bartosz Dudek, Deutsche Welle radio, Bonn, Marius Zekri, NDR radio, Hamburg, Micha Wagenbach, ZDF, Berlin, Oliver Sallet, Deutsche Welle, Washington DC, Vivienne Radermacher, WDR und Michael Stang, WDR Cologne

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October 30, 2021

Observations from Fall 2021 RIAS Berlin Commission participants in USA

Brief observations from RIAS Berlin Commission participants in the October 2021 exchange program to the United States:

Frauke Holzmeier, RTL, ntv 

I’m really happy to be part of the RIAS community now. In two weeks in the US with stays in Washington and New York City, we met so many different and inspiring personalities. I will benefit from it for a long time to come. As a journalist and also for me as a person, I learned that the United States is a deeply divided country. Trump was and still is a symptom of this division. This should concern us all. But simultaneously there is so much hope and strength in this country. Thanks to the people who live here and their cordiality, warmth and hospitality. Thank you, RIAS for having me!

Jan Fritsche, ZDF  

What an incredible program this has been! Getting to know excellent journalists from both sides of the Atlantic, meeting high-ranking officials such as the German ambassador to the United States Emily Haber, gaining unique perspectives like the one of a 9/11 survivor – RIAS was all of this and so much more. Every day we learned about a divided society struggling with its own identity. But, also about a people full of optimism and generosity. This country has been fascinating me for many years. And RIAS has helped me understand it even better. Thank you so much for this amazing experience! I ‘m happy and grateful to be part of the RIAS network now.                

Dilek Üsük, rbb

What an amazing and incredible time we had! In this short time, we had the opportunity to speak to people we wouldn’t have met without this program. We spoke to journalists, to politicians, to a survivor of 9/11 and we had a walk through an ultra-orthodox community in New York. All these people, all these guest speakers gave us deep and real insights into the structure of politics and the society of the US with different perspectives and opinions, which made it all the more interesting. It helped me to understand the people in the US, their struggles, their challenges, their ideas, their way of life. And it reminded me to be open minded and that sometimes things are much more complicated and not as easy as they might seem. The RIAS program provides such a great and unique experience and it gives the opportunity to connect and network with so many people, which is so valuable. It was a privilege and an honor to be part of the first RIAS program after the pandemic began. I’m very grateful for these great weeks and I ‘m amazed how quickly we bonded as a group. Thanks again for this wonderful and impactful experience!

Dania Maria Hohn

Being in the RIAS programme is not only a fellowship, but the experience of a lifetime. I felt welcome from the moment I stepped off the airplane, in a country I only knew from books and movies. I have learned that the US is in a critical state and no one knows how things will go on or get better. But the people I’ve met taught me a lot about perseverance, loss and hope. It’s the stories we tell as journalists that make a difference, and we should all feel empowered and aware at the same time. The pandemic didn’t stop us from connecting – on rooftops with a view of the White House or the Empire State Building, in traditional restaurants or even on a journalists’ private porch. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and thank everyone for their time and efforts, as I will take the memories with me wherever I go. 

Annette Yang, NDR

Such an adventurous trip from day one: Singled out at immigration at Washington airport, being asked why, as a European, I wished to enter. That’s how it’s like to travel during Covid I guess. But, I was cleared eventually. I also had a good reason: RIAS! Two weeks full of great encounters: In Washington we talked to the German Ambassador Emily Haber about transatlantic allies, new technologies and diplomatic sensitivity. White House Correspondent Jeff Mason described what flying in Air Force One feels like. What a treat! In New York, we discovered the city with insiders, like WNBC news anchor Michael Gargiulo, producer Adam Reiss, 9/11 survivor Gordon Huie and ex-Hassidic Jew Freida Vizel. They opened doors that would have otherwise remained closed to us. Thanks RIAS for creating memories that will accompany me for a lifetime! 

Lena Mosel, WELT

I couldn’t believe that our program would even take place during the pandemic until we were actually here and I probably won’t completely realize what we’ve seen, who we’ve spoken to and what we’ve experienced until I’m back in Germany: speaking to journalists from very different channels, politicians, experts from think tanks, seeing a show on Broadway, having lunch at the famous Katz’s deli, standing in front of the Capitol and trying to understand what happened there on January 6th. We felt how divided this country is and I see it as a warning for us journalists in Germany, where the media increasingly leans toward one side or the other. I hope that the divided United States will find their way back together, because what we also saw, heard and felt is a beautiful country.

Kate Brady, Deutsche Welle

After so many months cooped up due to the pandemic, the 2021 RIAS program was always going to be particularly special. But nothing could have prepared me for the places we would see, the people we would meet, nor the knowledge and experience we would gain during our two weeks in D.C. and New York. At this time of polarization, the political insights we gained in D.C. are priceless for our understanding of the United States going forward and my reporting on transatlantic relations. Meeting with fellow journalists also gave us a deeper understanding of the challenges facing US media — many of which we share on both sides of the Atlantic. In turn, this has only reinforced my own motivation as a journalist and acts as a reminder of the importance and responsibility that comes with our work. It was an absolute pleasure to share this experience with everyone on the program. Through RIAS I’ve met some wonderful new colleagues and made friends for life. Here’s to a successful station week and many years of keeping the spirit of the RIAS network alive.

 

Kristian Wiegand, phoenix

Experience, not just observe. Immerse, not just scratch the surface. Exchange, not just listen. With a super team of fellow travelers. That’s what RIAS is all about. One impression in particular that stuck with me: The United States is more divided than it has been in a long time. And Trump hovers over everything like the sword of Damocles. But the country and the people also have an incredible determination not to give up. That’s what I experienced with our guest speakers. Particularly the private insights into life and work gave me a deep insight into the soul and politics of the USA. For me, this exchange between people of different cultures is important. Especially the immersion into the world of Jewish life left a deep impression.

Julia Grünwald, MDR

Having never been to the U.S. before, I didn’t know exactly what to expect. Everything is louder, bigger and more extraordinary here, I thought. In many ways, that’s true. But two weeks of Rias gave me a special insight, that I would never have gotten as a tourist. The conversations with journalists, politicians, experts from think tanks and artists gave me the opportunity to understand this country better. As the first group after Corona, we found a way to meet with admirable people. Whether in the park with Clare Toeniskoetter from The Daily in NYC or on Roland Nelles’ porch in D.C. We talked a lot about Trump and his influence on media and I have learned, that all is far from reconciled under Biden.

Thank you for these incredible insights and great acquaintances in the Rias network. I am proud to be part of it now and look forward to many reunions.

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October 24, 2021

RIAS Berlin Commission program resumes with USA visit

The RIAS Berlin Commission exchange programs resumed in October with the first standard three-week program in nearly two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Nine journalists from Germany took part in an eventful program with one week in Washington DC, one week in New York and one week at a variety of small stations across the United States — in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in Salt Lake City, in Odessa, Texas, in Dallas, Texas and in San Antonio, Texas.  It was the first standard program in nearly two years after the corona pandemic and the fellows were welcomed as the first group of visitors at many of their stops.

The meetings in Washington included talks with German ambassador Emily Harris, expert analysts on religion and global polling data the Pew Research Institute, Peter Rough at the Hudson Institute, conservative TV journalist James Rosen, Deutsche Welle journalists Ines Pohl and Oliver Sallet, ZDF producer Annette Brieger, Der Spiegel Washington bureau chief Roland Nelles, former Congressman  Charlie Dent (R-Penn), White House correspondent Jeff Mason, WUSA9 anchor Larry Miller, ARD staff Verena Bünten and Claudia Bruckenmaier, Telemundo correspondent Lori Montenegro, NPR journalists Kevin Beesley and Scott Neuman, WeltTV correspondent Steffen Schwarzkopf and Brookings Institute senior fellow and Fritz Stern chair Constanze Stelzenmüller. The group also had a get-together with a dozen Washington DC-area alumni.

In New York, the fellows from Germany met WNBC anchor Michael Gargiulo, NBC news producer Adam Reiss, WNBC producer Tiffany Zeno, New York Amsterdam News Elinor Tatum, Bob Jamieson and the St. James church soup kitchen, New York Times The Daily senior producer Clare Toeniskoetter, Broadway actor Michael Fatica, German filmmaker Michael Schmidt, 9/11 Tribute Center and survivor Gordon Huie, CBS Sunday Morning producer Dustin Stephens, Bloomberg broadcasting news editor Michael Lysak, Fox news producer Tyler Speicher, as well as a special alumni meeting at “1014” on Fifth Avenue with New York-area RIAS Berlin Commission alumni. A group of participants also visited the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn to learn more about the Hasidic Jewish community and also went to Newark, New Jersey to watch a campaign rally with former President Barack Obama on the behalf of New Jersey governor Phil Murphy

The participants included: Annette Yang (NDR), Jan Fritsche (ZDF), Dilek Üsük (RBB/ZDF/WDR), Lena Mosel (WeltTV), Julia Grünewald (MDR), Kate Brady (Deutsche Welle), Kristian Wiegand (Phoenix), Dania Maria Hohn (RTL), Frauke Holzmeier (RTL/NTV).