Brief comments from US journalists after November alumni program in Germany
The RIAS Berlin Commission recently completed its one-week November exchange program with 30 U.S. journalists in Berlin to report on the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. There were talks with former NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw, former U.S. diplomat Robert Zoellick, German TV journalists from eastern Germany Anja Heyde (ZDF), Andreas Weise (ZDF) and Dirk Emmerich as well visits to the Berlin Wall on Bernauer Strasse, where many escape tunnels were, and to the East Side Gallery, where artists from around the world painted artworks on a 1.3-kilometer section of the wall that still stand 30 years later. There were also lively alumni reunions with German alumni in Berlin. Here are some of the impressions from the 30 Americans who took part in the program.
Adam Reiss, NBC News, New York Our trip to Berlin to witness the 30th Anniversary of the Fall of The Wall was eye opening, educational, and truly inspiring. Everyone we met along the way was passionate about their story and what it meant to them. Their passion was infectious. From Zoellick to Brokaw and all the German journalists in between, we went behind the scenes and got the real story. In the process, I made many friends that will last a lifetime. We were able to dig deep and understand the history of the wall, how it affected and continues to touch people from both sides is something I will never forget. The significance of the wall to world events, then and now, cannot be overstated. The knowledge and wonderful experiences I bring home with me enrich my life in so many ways. As always with RIAS, we were given a front row seat to the people and events of this historic week. Erik and Isabell, thanks again for an amazing trip.
Melissa Steinhofer, CNN Newsource You really remember the moments in your life when you stop, acknowledge and think “I can’t believe I’m here.” I said that to myself several times on the RIAS alumni program. We walked where tunnels once were dug with the intention of being a crude lifeline to freedom. We listened to German journalists as they opened up about themselves and revealed their personal journeys from a divided Germany to almost 30 years of a united country. We stood in the Palace of Tears and learned how the Berlin Wall impacted millions of lives for decades. And, we celebrated with 100,000 others at Brandenburg Gate on the 30th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, all sharing the same thought: walls don’t work. If that wasn’t a rich enough experience, I was able to share it with 29 highly accomplished journalists from all over the U.S., many of whom I now consider friends. For all of these reasons, it is a trip I will never forget.
Yami Virgin, KABB TV, San Antonio, Texas“The pond never seemed smaller thanks to the wonderful opportunities offered by RIAS to American and German journalist. The opportunities we had this trip and the Senior Editors trip makes this a worthwhile experience for anyone who is involved. We come back to the states with stories, a new appreciation for the way things are done around the world and with new contacts within our industry. More TV companies should allow their employees to take part of this program as part of their recruitment efforts. Thank you to Erik and Rainer before him for allowing me to bring back amazing stories not only for San Antonio but also for all of the 100 plus stations that are a part of my company.”
Terry Anzur, International Media Trainer, West Covina, CA“In today’s fast-paced, multi-tasking world, RIAS offers journalists a priceless opportunity to reflect on the past and discuss the future. Relationships I formed while visiting Germany and hosting Germans in the USA were transformative for my career and my entire family. Thank you, RIAS!”
Lane Luckie, KLTV, Tyler, Texas I couldn’t have imagined a more eye-opening week than covering the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall by sharing the stories of people who lived history. Any opportunity with the RIAS Berlin Commission is one of discovery and connections. I soaked up so much feedback, ideas, and knowledge from this world-class group of brodcasters from around the U.S. and developed new friendships along the way. Thanks to this reporting tour, I was able to gain a new appreciation of this watershed moment in modern history and the key players involved in the fall of the wall. Reading about East and West Germany or watching videos online places limits on your understanding of any topic. Adding the human element is essential to telling the powerful story of the Peaceful Revolution. Most importantly, this reporting opportunity gave our audiences in East Texas the opportunity to see historic places and meet people they otherwise may not. Since my first fellowship in 2017, Germany has called my name. There’s so much more to learn about one of America’s closest allies and the people who call it home. I’m so lucky RIAS continues to opens doors for personal and professional growth. Programs like these give me hope for the future of broadcasting and journalism, as so many people return home with a transformational experience just like mine.
Andrew Schneider, Houston Public Media, Houston, Texas The high point of the trip for me was the Saturday night festivities at Brandenburg Gate, when we had the opportunity to hear the incomparable Daniel Barenboim conduct the Staatskapelle Berlin in the performance of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. I also particularly enjoyed the briefing at Deutsche Welle and the tour of the Palace of Tears. More than any individual site or experience, though, I value the new friends I made. Many thanks, RIAS, for making this all possible!
Chas Henry, National Radio Network, Washington DC Before learning of the 2019 RIAS Foundation alumni program in Berlin, I had already planned a series of #MauerFall30 reports for the 900 affiliates of the Westwood One radio network. The opportunity to join in such RIAS-arranged events as the tunnel tour — and particularly the federal government-sponsored remembrance at the Tränenpalast — allowed me to expand the project into a half-hour audio documentary set for WWO-affiliate broadcast over the coming Thanksgiving week. Foundation staff were unfailingly helpful in arranging contacts I would not have been able to make on my own — and to point me toward archival media that will help me better tell the story of the wall, and Germany and Europe post-1989. I am exceptionally grateful.
Christine Dobbyn, KTRK-TV ABC Houston, Texas It was great to be back in Berlin for a special program during the 30th Anniversary of the Fall of the Wall. The speakers and program provided fantastic context on the anniversary along with the current situation in Germany politically, socially and economically. Coming back again was a unique opportunity to gain additional perspective, renew old journalism friendships and gain some new ones!
Scott Saloway, Yahoo Finance, New York My time on RIAS in 2017 was life changing, and being able to return in 2019 to witness the 30th anniversary of the fall of the wall was also profound. I learned much more about the history of that remarkable event, plus the attitudes that still exist today between East and West. I am grateful to have had the opportunity!
Stephanie Wolf, Colorado Public Radio, Denver, Colorado It’s an incredible gift to get to take time off from the daily news to be a student of history and geopolitics. I’m so grateful RIAS has provided that opportunity for me twice. The alumni program was particularly special as 30 of us U.S. journalists got to witness an important moment for Germany and Eastern Europe, the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. From conversations with journalists to hearing the mayor’s address to partaking in the weekend’s festivities, RIAS assembled an informative and engaging program. Most of all, I come away from the program with new friends and connections.
Henry Mulak, KNTV, San Jose, California The RIAS Kommission provided me with an unbelievable number of contacts by which I could do my work in Berlin, Brussels, and Cologne. The breath and depth of knowledge and understanding offered to journalists like me allowed me a greater understanding of the issues I report on and a solid foundation from which to proceed. I would go on to become a freelance foreign correspondent, reporting from Berlin, thanks in large part to the help RIAS provided. What a joy to be back for a reunion tour during the 30th anniversary observation of the Fall of the Berlin Wall.
Bryan Weakland, MSNBC, New York The RIAS alumni program has been an extraordinary experience. Not only was I able to forge new connections with German journalists, I was able to reinforce relationships with German journalists I met during my RIAS fellowship in 2018. It was absolutely incredible to be in Berlin for the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and to hear from journalists who were there in 1989 and covered the event as it happened. It was captivating to hear from residents of East Berlin who shared their emotional accounts of what life was like before and after that momentous day. I’m so grateful for this life-changing opportunity RIAS has provided. I will now have a more informed perspective about Germany and its history that will help me as an American journalist when covering European issues, specifically ones that involve Germany. I also now have several connections with German journalists that will last a lifetime. Thank you for this wonderful alumni program. I will be forever grateful and look forward to helping promote and contribute to RIAS for years to come.
Meg Moritz, University of Colorado, Boulder As a journalist and a teacher I have come to appreciate the unique educational value of travel. This trip once again demonstrated that there is no substitute for being on site during a major news event. It was also great to re-connect with RIAS as a new student-centered initiative in being launched…always happy to host Germans in Boulder, CO…and to promote RIAS to CU students interested in expanding their horizons.
Tom Brislin, University of Hawaii Twenty years ago RIAS American journalists were criticized for being Wall-obsessed and backward-focused. We were told we were trying to trap Berlin & Germany in an historic amber of East-West (and National Socialism of course). We were ignoring the progress, growth, and power of a new reunified German character. Now thirty years after the Wall’s fall, we hear from all quarters a continual conversation and consternation over how many generations it might take until those ramifications of reunification are actually set in a new national narrative. In the meantime the November 9 anniversaries are like a metronome measuring the historic beats. Many thanks to RIAS for providing a lens through which we can continue to observe, learn, and share.
Larry Levin, Irish Echo, Dublin “The RIAS Alumni program around the 30th Anniversary of the fall of the Wall was an interesting and evocative experience for all of the journalists and educators who participated. It stimulated many good discussions among the group members themselves, as well as with the speakers, about the U.S. relationship with Germany and how that might evolve into the future. The RIAS program fills a major void in American journalism and journalism education by exposing us to issues that we would not normally have the time or experience to pursue ourselves.”
Debby Block, Voice of America, Washington Another fantastic opportunity to learn about Germany through the RIAS journalists program. It was very exciting to be in Berlin during the 30th anniversary of the fall of the wall. The Saturday night celebrations with art installations, speeches, and entertainment attended by thousands of people, a number of whom had once lived on either side of the wall, was inspiring. Our speakers, and tours like the Berlin tunnels, gave me much more of an understanding of those terrible years than I ever could have imagined. Just standing in front of pieces of the wall gave me a feeling I will never forget. Thank you for this once in a lifetime opportunity, which also included getting to know some of the participants as wonderful new friends. It was also great to reconnect with some of the German journalists I had met previously through RIAS. I am grateful I was part of this valuable alumni program.
Lee Anderson, KTVZ Bend, Oregon: Man, I LOVE Berlin! What a vibrant, historic city. It’s a city with many stories, some not so good, but it’s as important a city as any on Earth, so It must be studied and discussed. Our recent studies and discussions of the city further help the world to know about events which have shaped our lives. Hearing from the news makers, as well as the news reporters, was a once in a lifetime experience. Being with a group of outstanding journalists throughout the trip heightened the experience. Many thanks to Isabell, Lisa and Erik for a great program.
