Author: Erik Kirschbaum

RIAS Media Prize June 2, 2022

6. June 2022 Erik Kirschbaum Home

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RIAS BERLIN KOMMISSION

4 weeks ago

Impressions of American Journalism Students on ERP ProgramThe RIAS Berlin Commission’s ERP Transatlantic program was created thanks a grant from the German Economy Ministry. It connects American journalism students with their peers in Germany. The program is supported by the Transatlantic Program of the Federal Republic of German andfunded by the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the Federal Economy and Energy (BMWi) Ministry. The American students came from universities across the Midwest, South and Southwest — Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Montana, Florida, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.Here are some of the impressions from the 14 participants from the program.Jesse Christopher Smith, University of Oklahoma (The Oklahoman): Spending three immersive weeks in Germany was a life-changing experience for which I will always be grateful. For someone like me who has never been able to afford to travel internationally, RIAS provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit a unique place that will forever ripple with the aftershocks of history. Walking through spots along remnants of the Berlin Wall, the Hohenschönhausen Stasi prison and the Sachsenhausen concentration camp — morbid symbols and spaces of cruelty I’d only read about beforehand — suddenly made the harsh realities very real to me. Such painful history can be difficult to reckon with and move beyond, but Germany is trying to come to terms with the past. I noticed this tension between the past and present perhaps most acutely while listening to the personal stories of Syrian, Palestinian and Ukrainian refugees, whose lives have been upended by modern-day war but who have found in Germany a new place to call home. This is not the stereotypical Germany so many outsiders might only be familiar with through decades-old newsreels — it is a living, breathing, multi-faceted nation with vibrant cultures and proud peoples, not unlike the U.S. There is still progress to be made, but the effort is there, and it actually gives me hope that a similar effort for truth and reconciliation in America is still possible. I would like to play a part in that, in whatever ways I can as a journalist, and I would have RIAS and Berlin to thank for instilling this renewed confidence. Danke schön!Mikaela Deleon, University of Oklahoma: Attending the RIAS Berlin Commission summer ERP program proved to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The program allowed me to submerge myself in the fractured yet robust history of the city of Berlin and Germany itself. Seeing the Berlin Wall, the Stasi prison in Berlin-Hohenschönhausen, and the Tempelhof Airport were borderline surreal experiences after reading and studying about these historical places for so long. Visiting these locations in person while hearing from contemporary witnesses created such a rich and educational environment and allowed me to feel genuinely connected to the past. RIAS helped me to ground myself in history with an experience that can likely never be replicated by myself. Learning about German media has also affected me deeply. The importance of our role as journalists has been reaffirmed for me yet again as I learned about RIAS’ role during the Cold War. Furthermore, seeing the difference between our media systems was also incredibly poignant for me. The part that public broadcasting plays in Germany was eye-opening, and something that I believe could be incredibly beneficial for the United States. One of my biggest hopes, when I embarked on this program, was that I would get to see beyond the American silo and that I would develop a deeper understanding of another culture. I think that hope was fully realized as we engaged with leaders in German politics, journalism, culture and arts. Peering at America from the outside and getting to understand the image of the United States from a different perspective was a necessary experience and one that I am deeply appreciative of. It has been a privilege to participate in this transatlantic exchange, and I hope to use my new cultural understanding to benefit myself and others as I continue to write as a journalist. Oreoluwa Ojewuyi, University of Southern Illinois: As a recent graduate from Southern Illinois University with a bachelors degree in political science and journalism, the RIAS program was perfectly curated to my professional interests. I jumped at the opportunity to have a cultural professional exchange that would build my repertoire as a journalist and diversify my worldview. The past two weeks in Germany forced me to contest with my own preconceived notions. The two weeks I spent in the RIAS program taught me the importance of globalization, historical recognition, empathy, and uplifted journalism as a key pillar of democracy. It was so interesting to see the key role RIAS played in German history from a German perspective. RIAS’ combination of history, politics media literacy challenged us to engage with viewpoints we were unfamiliar with. We were highly educated on American and German relations throughout history and the roles they played in the individual growth of both countries. Germany embraces all parts of its past regardless of how fraught it might be in order to work towards a better tomorrow. We spent time with people who lived through the Cold War, spoke with politicians who talked about the racism that still exists within German society, and met with Ukrainian refugees who shared their personal stories as they watch their country rage with war. Germany confronts its past head on. Its people uplift the stories of the past to work towards a better tomorrow. This kind of objectivity and acceptance of the truth is at the core of journalistic storytelling. Storytelling is a key component to connecting people around the world. Through every meeting with journalists, politicians and Ukrainian refugees we connected not only on a professional level but on a human level. No subject was off limits. RIAS has opened me up to an endless network and through this program I was able to leave Germany with a wealth of knowledge I did not previously arrive with. Jason Stahl, University of Montana: The 2022 Student RIAS experience immersed me in the history and ambiance of Germany’s Cold War era and subsequent reunification. Among the books I read to prepare myself was Andrei Cherny’s “The Candy Bombers: The Untold Story of the Berlin Airlift andAmerica’s Finest Hour”. I had a visceral reaction seeing this history come alive on the very first day of our program with the tour of Tempelhof Airport. I had a similar response when touching remnants of the Berlin Wall and standing where Peter Fechter was shot and left to bleed to death. Discovering how Bruce Springsteen fed the East German yearning for freedom was yet another resonant moment for me; I too know what it is like to be a youth in a closed society desiring freedom of movement and expression. After the RIAS experience, I am not the same person who came to Berlin three weeks ago. I have been informed by different perspectives of how to approach journalism, own our history, and democracy. What I cherish the most about this time in Germany is the opportunity to see America through the eyes of Germans, particularly at a time when I sorely needed to be reminded that America can be a force for good and stability. I will carry these new stories with me in my heart and future work.Marien Lopez-Medina, University of Oklahoma: Participating in the RIAS student exchange program was an eye-opening experience in my professional and personal life. I joined the program as an international student at the University of Oklahoma bringing a foreign mindset to the table and a thirst for knowledge about the other side of the world. Once in Germany, learning about the causes and consequences of the Cold War expanded my perspective on the effects of political ideologies on the people, the relationship between journalism from the United States and Germany and the power of the media back then and now. Beyond politics, my favorite way to learn about the Cold War was through the experiences of people who were categorized as East or West Germans and those who became allies on both sides. While reviewing the past, we also took a view to the present: the Russian invasion of Ukraine and how it is impacting European countries. As someone who comes from a conflict zone, listening to the history of Germany gave me hope — hope that I was starting to lose. RIAS has inspired me to use my career in journalism to continue building bridges around the world.Jenna Calderón, Miami University: Before coming to Berlin, I really had nopage3image28681776expectations for what our three weeks would look like and could have never guessed the impact the program would have on me. Not only have I gained general life experience from navigating public transportation on my own, picking up a bit of German and taking a walk through the country’s history, I’ve also received invaluable insight into the field of journalism through a whole new perspective. Whether through formal meetings with political figures or chats over coffee with professional journalists, I always left our events feeling inspired. Thank you RIAS for the opportunity of a lifetime!Noah Mack, University of Oklahoma: I have learned so much during my journey in Germany, and it is hard to condense it all down to a few sentences. In short, I have learned that human connection penetrates cultural and linguisticpage3image28682400boundaries, and spreading those connections to others is at the heart of my job. I met so many remarkable people on this program, all with their own story; all stories on the broader timeline of Germany’s history. I knew the history before, but after these 3 weeks, I vicariously lived it through these people. East Side Gallery artist Kani Alavi did not speak English, but his smile and enthusiasm for art spoke to me more than anything he could have said. Emotions are what connect people, and storytelling is a mechanism to spread those emotions around the world. Meeting with the Ukrainian refugees on our last day was the most meaningful experience of the trip. Not only did I get to listen to their harrowing stories, but I got to have lunch with them, laugh with them, and become friends with them. Before I left the lunch, a wonderful woman named Nadin told me when I get back to the United States, to “talk about this war” and tell their story. I have never been more sure about my career than in that moment.Sasha Hartzell, University of Arizona: The innumerable experiences I had in Germany through RIAS’ student program are still sinking in. Learning Germany’s history through the lens of media and journalism, and how that history haspage3image28675952shaped the country’s present, was not only fascinating but incredibly relevant for the U.S. Every day was packed with appointments, and each meeting consistently exceeded expectations. We learned from journalists, producers, anchors, politicians, historians, activists, and artists, and always from each other. The three weeks flew by; the knowledge, perspective, and inspiration gained will last a lifetime.Dayana Villanueva, New Mexico State University: The ERP program was an opportunity to immerse myself entirely in Germany’s history, media, cultural and political aspects. The adventure started from getting lost in the Berlin metro system to running from one meeting to another like ordinary Berliners, to havingpage4image28595488the opportunity to talk — without filters — to amazing people like refugees, politicians, experts, and reporters from Germany. One of the most remarkable and privileged moments for me was visiting the Bundespressekonferenz, a forum created by journalists who report exclusively about the government for German and foreign media. I was inspired by the reporters’ aim to invite federal government representatives to press conferences three times each week and interview them. Going there represented a change in my perspective on how journalism can be respected and valued in my home country. The most joyful and insightful conversations happened while walking around cultural and historic neighborhoods, such as diving into the Neukölln neighborhood with Firas Zahri, a Syrian refugee. With a map in hand, Firas narrated his journey to get into Germany in 2015 by land, air, and water. He led us at the end of the tour to the best chicken shawarma in town, Aldimashqi restaurant, which was created by Syrian refugees. It was enriching to have deep conversations about important topics such as refugees and enjoy their culture. The biggest takeaway from this program can be summarized by what Director-General Deutsche Welle Peter Limbourg said in the last meeting “Look for new solutions coming here and imitate others that make you feel yourself.” I look forward to returning to the United States and implementing learnings from these experiences.Brandon Leis, University of Wisconsin – Madison: I really don’t know where to begin. The program was certainly ambitious, yet worth every minute. Even though I studied English literature and not journalism, I was very excited andgrateful to have the opportunity to learn more about journalism as well as German-American relations. Between meeting Fabrizio Micallizzi, Germany’s Chief of Staff to the Coordinator of Transatlantic Cooperation, to better understand Germany’s involvement in the European Union. Or having the opportunity to visit the headquarters of Der Spiegel in Hamburg and learning first hand the rigorous process of fact checking. As well as having the chance to better understand America’s role in helping reunify East and West Germany into one nation by visiting various museums. These are just a few of the things that made the program a once and a lifetime opportunity. Someone once told me that being able to travel outside your home country is not only a great source of pleasure but is also an education in itself. After the last 3 weeks I can confirm that this sentiment is true. I came in with the goal to learn more about the profession of journalism as well as what life is like in Germany and I walked away with just that. But not only did I have a chance to learn more about journalism and Germany, I was also given a renewed appreciation for my home country. A showcase of American leadership; becoming a part of the ‘Radio In the American Sector’ legacy has made me proud of where I am from while also motivating me to continue to stand up for any and all necessary change in the U.S. I will carry these things with me for a very long time, as my participation in this program truly was an eye opening.Madison Rae Karas, Temple University: After having our original RIAS fellowship postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, this year’s program was well worth the two-year wait. During the action-packedpage5image28594864schedule in Berlin, Leipzig, Hamburg, and Cologne, I gained a more complex understanding of transatlantic relations and German and American identities than I had previously. Learning how our two countries supported and depended on each other in the past, and how they are uniquely dealing with their dichotomies and polarization in the present, gave me a more nuanced outlook on current issues. Our program’s blend of activities and speakers in news, media, history, and politics also allowed us to question pertinent topics, like energy and inflation, from various perspectives. In addition, it was an invaluable experience to meet and hear the stories of people who experienced some of Europe’s most historic events in many of our meetings and tours. I look forward to bringing my knowledge back to the U.S., visiting Germany again soon, and becoming a part of the RIAS Alumni Network.Marlowe Starling, University of Florida: Berlin, a city bursting with energy, was the perfect place to witness how history and modernity have together laid the foundation for a fascinating and vital free press here in Germany. As we hurried between appointments with the biggest names in broadcast at ARD, RTL and WeltTV, some of my favorite moments were ordering ice cream in rudimentary German and discovering the magic of Berlin’s duality. “There’s still the wall in our minds,” one tour guide told us on the border of the old east and west. Someone else said there was a wall in her heart. Hearing these words, I realized it’s not just in Berlin that people hold on to the remains of a vicious divide; it exists in the US, too, where the wall in the mind is perhaps even stronger despite never having a wall in the first place. This experience with RIAS has brought not only great knowledge and opportunities to explore the “true Berlin,” but also the chance to reflect on our own “American identity” — an identity equally in crisis, and one with no single definition. As an environmental reporter, I also had the great opportunity to learn about Germany as a leader in renewable energy—even amid the impending energy crisis from the cut-off of Russian oil supply. As an aspiring international journalist, this program has given me a taste of what it means to report abroad and the value of bringing an outside perspective to reporting in another country. I am hopeful that the United States can, like Germany, learn to acknowledge its history for a better-informed future.Carlee Pascual, University of Oklahoma: RIAS provided me an experience I will never get the opportunity to relive. I loved the sights, but nothing will ever compare to the people I had the privilege of encountering. My program mates will be my friends for years to come. They each added something new to my life. The German people I met on my trip have helped me see things from a completely new lens. I look forward to taking their perspectives into the next years of my life. More than anything, I have a renewed faith in the power of universal human rights and kindness. The United States can change and I look forward to helping it happen. I look forward to seeing RIAS become more than it is today. I look forward to seeing the RIAS network grow. I am honored to join its ranks. Thank you RIAS! Thank you Germany! Evette Giron, University of Central Oklahoma: The RIAS student program was a life changing experience for me. I honestly did not know what to expect from our three weeks. I appreciate the Germany government investing in students like me. I learned so much about Germans politics and German media, topics I otherwise would not have studied in the U.S. I really enjoyed meeting with local politicians who are committed to making a difference in their country is a once in a lifetime opportunity. My favorite experience during the program was meeting Ukrainian mothers who fled the war. It was truly emotional and I have heard similar stories from Afghan refugees in the U.S. This experience solidified my desire to work on protecting human rights. I do hope that RIAS keeps helping and inspiring young journalists like me to continue our pursuit.Erik Kirschbaum, Executive Director RIAS Berlin Commission: It has been a tremendously rewarding experience to spend three weeks zipping around Berlinand across Germany to meet journalists and newsmakers in Leipzig, Hamburg, Cologne and Berlin with a delightful group of 14 smart, savvy, young American journalists and journalism students — many traveling outside the Midwest, South or Southwest for the first time. Their hunger to learn more about Germany, their insatiable curiosity, their great questions and their impressive pre-program preparations for this fast-paced adventure with as many as five meetings a day knocked my socks off. As one experienced German journalist later told me after being inundated with their questions told me: “After meeting your group, I’m no longer worried about the future of journalism.” I couldn’t have said it better myself. ... Read MoreRead Less

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RIAS BERLIN KOMMISSION updated their status.

4 weeks ago

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RIAS BERLIN KOMMISSION updated their status.

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RIAS BERLIN KOMMISSION

1 month ago

Busy final day of ERP Transatlantic Exchange Program with visits to the USA Embassy in Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, a virtual talk with Deutsche Welle Director General Peter Limbourg and a group lunch meeting with about 15 Ukrainian women and their children sheltered in Berlin during the war in Ukraine. The student exchange project is supported by the Transatlantic Program of the Federal Republic of Germany, funded by the European Recovery Program (ERP)of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi) ... Read MoreRead Less

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RIAS BERLIN KOMMISSION

1 month ago

American journalists learned more about German media from Carsten Lueb of NTV and explored both sides of the Rhine River during their fellowship to Germany ... Read MoreRead Less

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