From September 15 to 26, SSM Sächsische Stiftung für Medienausbildung (Saxon Foundation for Media Training) is organising a seminar in Leipzig for journalists from Central and Eastern Europe. The organizers invite 14 journalists from the region who are able to work in German language to participate in a 10-day meet-up in Leipzig.
Under the topic “Media – Transparency and Independence”, journalists will work on the challenges the Central and Eastern European media landscape presents to them, especially considering political reporting. In the seminar, participants have the possibility to join forces and work together on the requirements for good and independent political journalism. Main topics will be the obscure ownership structure and the strong influence which is often imposed on media outlets by political actors.
During the seminar, the journalists will visit various public and private media outlets, for example MDR, the main public broadcaster in Eastern Germany. Furthermore, discussion rounds will be held with representatives from political, economic and cultural institutions. Also Deutsche Welle and BBC World will take part in the programme.
One of the aims of SSM is to present the working of German media outlets, not only in Saxony but in the whole country. Therefore two days of the seminar will spent in Berlin. Besides learning about German media, participants will also get a hands-on experience and are asked to produce a piece on the seminar topic for German online media about the situation and experiences made in their home countries.
With this workshop, SSM wants to stress the important role of journalism in the European integration process. Thus, the workshop will also provide a space for journalists from Central and Eastern Europe to create an important network – amongst each other and with German media representatives. In addition to the free training, the foundation also bears the travelling expenses, accommodation and catering for seminar participants.
Candidates may not be older than 40 years, need to be well-experienced in working with the media and have a good command of German, as this will be the working language in the seminar. Closing date for applications is August 14, 2015. Interested journalists need to fill in the application form and write a letter of motivation to apply.
More information and the application can be found here: www.ssm-seminar.de.
Seminar on media transparency and independence for German-speaking journalists
