Industry Professionals

German Study Programs for American News Managers

The RTDNF/RIAS news manager program�provides an intensive look at German broadcast media for American radio and television news decision makers and managers.

In September 2007, we inaugurated this program with our partner the RIAS Berlin Commission. Eleven Americans visited Berlin and over the course of one week and met with television and radio managers from the principal public and private German news channels. In October 2009, ten managers from across the United States, in both public and commercial media, visited Berlin and Hamburg to witness German news managers making decisions, staffing their shows, and slotting their programs and spots.

The news manager program typically includes a day trip by high speed rail to Hamburg where the American fellows visit the newsroom and meet with producers and editors for the flagship ARD German broadcast, Tagesschau.

In all, participating fellows enjoy a revealing week in Germany visiting with German news managers and editors, seeing and hearing how they create newscasts, cover stories, and staff their bureaus and newsrooms.

This program is intended for the manager interested in learning about coverage issues, standards, ethics, and management concerns as they exist and are handled by news organizations in Germany. News organizations that may be included in visits by our American group include, but are not limited to, ARD, ZDF, N-24, Deutsche Welle, RTL, and others.

Specified expenses (travel, lodging, and most meals) are covered by the RIAS Berlin Commission.

Applying for the program

Applicants must be full-time news managers, senior editors, or executives from radio or television stations or networks or online news sites with working news divisions.

Program applications can be obtained by clicking here.

Deadline for applications
Complete applications must be received at RTNDF by mail no later than June 1. Applications may be sent by email or fax, the originals must also be mailed.

Applicants will be notified of final decisions within four weeks of the application deadline. Incomplete applications will be discarded.

Additional information
For further information on this or any other RTNDF exchange program, please contact:

Jon Ebinger
RTDNF
Program Director
German/American Journalist Exchange

529 14th Street, NW
Suite 425
Washington, DC 20045
Ph: (202) 467-5250
Fax: (202) 223-4007
jon@rtndf.org