Six journalists from four countries have been selected for the practical phase of a pilot ‘EU Journalism Fellowship’ scheme. They will spend up to eight weeks in EurActiv’s Brussels Network Office as fellows in a pilot training programme for journalists, devised by Fondation EurActiv PoliTech and supported by the Robert Bosch Stiftung. They will be mentored by experienced colleagues in Brussels, where they will gain an insight into EU politics while at the same time report for their home media. Among other things, they will learn about new techniques in online journalism (portals, blog platforms, web video, etc.).
 

Their selection was preceded by a one-week assessment workshop in Berlin, which prepared 12 participants from six countries to address some of the most important current EU topics, including shifts in power since the Lisbon Treaty’s entry into force, financial reform of banks, insurance firms and capital markets, the Digital Agenda, energy policy and regional policy. In Brussels, the trainees will deepen their research into these topics and process them for their home media. Participating media in 2011 include Die Presse, Mittelbayerische Zeitung, MDR, Axel Springer Verlag/bild.de and the Wiesbadener Kurier. The programme aims to help journalists gain greater knowledge of EU policies and to experience work at an online media firm.
 

The winning fellows are six experienced journalists from Austria, France, Germany and Poland: Jeannine Hierländer (Die Presse), Emilie Binois (Autoactu.com), Simon Bartélemy (L’Alsace-Le Pays), Hanna Gieffers (Mittelbayerische Zeitung; Neue Westfälische), Miriam Kuck (MDR Info) and Filip Dutkowski (Polish Press Agency; PAP). While in Brussels, they will deepen their knowledge of EU affairs and contacts within the European institutions and the many stakeholders active at EU level. They will become members of an alumni journalist network offering regular opportunities for exchange and encounters.
 

“In order to gain experience as Brussels ‘insiders’, each fellow will have a senior editor from EurActiv as a mentor and coach. At the same time, to keep in touch with national realities, the journalists will continue to file stories for their home media,” said Julian Oliver, secretary-general of Fondation EurActiv PoliTech. “This provides the fellows with opportunities to participate in various events, including press conferences given by heads of state or government.”
 

“With this programme we want to contribute to better visibility of Europe in the media”, explained Christian Hänel, deputy head of the Department for International Relations Western Europe, America, Turkey, Japan and India at the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
 

“Europe still does not get the attention it deserves at national level. Some journalists find it difficult to research EU topics. But this is exactly what we need: journalists who manage to penetrate the dynamics of the EU political sphere and manage to convey this dynamism to their readers in gripping stories,” said Joachim Weidemann, a former director of the Georg-von-Holtzbrinck School for Economic Journalists. Today he is the founder and publisher of EurActiv.de, which hosted the workshop in Berlin. “The best way to do this is through case studies and online journalism that transcends borders, just like the EU abolished borders in Europe.”
 

Fondation EurActiv PoliTech was assisted in the selection of candidates by an international jury comprising Christian Haenel of the Robert Bosch Stiftung, Joachim Weidemann, publisher of EurActiv.de, Peter Kramer, secretary-general of the Association of European Journalists, Ann Cahill, president of the International Press Association in Brussels, Quentin Dickinson, European affairs director at Radio France Internationale, and Christophe Leclercq, founder of Fondation EurActiv and publisher of EurActiv.com.
 

Christophe Leclercq declared: “The jury and many other leading journalists have been helpful in handling this pilot project. It is important for the EU to multiply contacts with national journalists. There are several ways of doing so: short information seminars relayed online, training like the EU Journalism Fellowship or indeed postings as correspondents.”
 

Media contacts:
Julian Oliver, Secretary General, Fondation EurActiv PoliTech, Tel. +32(0)2.226.58.25, SecGen@EurActiv.com

Joachim Weidemann, Publisher, EurActiv.de, Tel: +49(0)30.31.01.16.90, j.weidemann@euractiv.de

Christophe Leclercq, Publisher, EurActiv.com, Tel. +32(0)2.226.58.13, publisher@euractiv.com

Radu Magdin, Communication Manager, Tel: + 32(0)2.788.36.88, communication@euractiv.com
 
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