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Between the Lines
Journalism festival & training

Between the Lines - Journalism festival & training

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World between the Lines Festival

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In the summer days of June 2022, more than 60 visitors from 5 different countries enjoyed the programme which involved 12 speakers and 4 interactive online sessions with experts from Costa Rica, Britain, Uganda, and Palestine.  

The programme was created with the idea of bringing together journalists of various backgrounds and providing them with an opportunity to discuss topics in the global media field. During the training, participants attended presentations, workshops and discussions in which they could learn and discuss issues, that are challenging journalistic ways or informing.

The event was organized by the media initiative World between the Lines. The Festival took place on the premises of the Department of Journalism of Comenius University in Bratislava in Slovakia. 

Below you can find the programme with presentations, workshops and discussions including summaries, said quotes and used materials along with written and audio feedback from participants. You can also scroll down to find the gallery and feedback from participants.

 






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"Always rethink, always reevaluate your methods. Always learn. Be responsible. Be curious. For me, it was a great opportunity to discuss so intensively with another journalist after a long time and it was really stimulating and refreshing."

"In the end, I grasped a lot about the complexity of journalism areas and how every one of them has its specific magic inside." 

"Almost everything was more or less useful. Look out the damn window. Be critical (and empathetic at the same time), maintain the integrity and never stop carefully considering the ethical questions, because that's when you go wrong."

"Diversity and sensitivity. It is not okay to enforce stereotypes or sexist views through our work and it's important to recognize those shortcomings, especially when teaching about them. These were the critical comments, but I'd also like to place thanks where it's due, the entirety was interesting and people were mostly nice."

"Everything was amazing, but if I had to choose multiple choices, then I would choose discussions with Tom Law,  András Foldes, Diane Hielscher, Mirek Tóda, Ivana Mrvová and the journalist from Costa Rica. I am interested in regions, which aren´t covered in our media in such quantity even though these topics deserve it. I am such a big fan of them and their work. I was lapping up the experiences, and news from them. I would love to stay in touch with them and hear a lot more from them."

"Fact-checking is more important than ever. Go and always check the window. If it is raining or not. :) but more importantly, it inspired me to what much more is possible to do in the journalistic field..."

"Great atmosphere."

"I met very interesting people." 

"Everything was interesting. I really can't choose only one."

"That journalism is much more diverse than I previously thought."

"The idea that we have the skill and the ability to change things that don't sit right with us, I'd say. The phrase that journalists need to follow science and the metaphor of looking from the window to see if it rains (during the last discussion). To be a good journalist, you have to be human - feel, talk, have empathy, be brave, be open and curious."
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Festival Between the Lines was part of "I Am European" project co-funded by the Europen Union, Slovak Aid and International Visegrad Fund.

Event was organised by media initiative World between the Lines, and coorganised by People in Need Slovakia, Department of Journalism at Faculty of Arts at Comenius University in Bratislava, and by Journalistic Award in Slovakia (Novinárska cena).
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Presentations

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Other perspectives

Hamimu Masudi (Uganda) spoke about coverage of global issues in the Ugandan media environment. He also gave insight into how should journalist report about marginalized indigenous communities.

"Journalists have to dig deep. They have to provide context, historical background, see the big picture and make connections."

Presentation from Hamimu Masudi
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Michele Ferris Dobles (Costa Rica) was talking about her experience with informing about migrants in Central America and how are they fighting prejudices and misconceptions.

"We organized workshops where migrants and locals could sit and talk. We found that activities where people actually meet each other can change the negative attitude towards migrants."

Presentation from Michele Ferris Dobles
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"The problems they have aren´t very different from what we have in Europe when it comes to migration. So I feel like if we would speak more about it, we could understand that we could cooperate."

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"It's always educational to hear about phenomena from a different part of the world. It gives me perspective."

"I was inspired by the research that Michele Dobles was working on."

"The prospect of hearing about countries and their problems that are not often written about in Central Europe inspired me."
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Migration as an issue to cover

Tom Law spoke about what should a journalist have -and not have- in mind while covering migration and what the media's common prejudices and stereotypes on migration are.

He also provided tips on how to spot hate speech and emphasized the dangers of giving the wrong people the chance to play the victim. 



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"Tom Law raised some philosophical questions in areas that are central to my interests in the journalistic field."

"Tom’s presentation was very interesting, I liked that he brought up the topic of ethically interviewing people and I’d really like to learn about it more."

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Global imagination in the media

Professor Shani Orgad spoke about how media images, headlines, photos, and chosen points of view affect public imagination. She gave examples of how media representations can influence opinions, elections and governments that make decisions that affect the most vulnerable groups.

"Shani's presentation was amazing, it made me realize how easily we become blind to what we see in everyday media. It's a good way how to improve my general overview."

Important is also the use of language. According to Shani Orgad, it is shocking how normalized has become the use of animal-like descriptions of refugees and migrants. The term "jungle" was used as an example. It is often used by journalists when describing refugee camps.

"Animals live in the jungle. It is dehumanizing and has consequences. Also using the phrase ‘refugees were pouring into this-and-that-country.’ It evokes the image of a flood, which is often catastrophic."
-Shani Orgad


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Participants were given the first pages of various world-wide known newspapers. They were asked to imagine that they were aliens and knew nothing about planet Earth.

What message about our world did the newspapers give?






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"Despite the media telling us that we were ‘all in this together’, that was actually not the case. We are not equal and were certainly not all in this together. The most vulnerable people suffered. Seems like we are more divided than we want to admit."
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"Important was the historical parallel between the narratives that have been circulating around for a long time. We use them without even realizing what demons we bring out."

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"The presentation about how to show or write better the stories of refugees was very important for me. Also the one about images that we carry in our heads and when the reality is different to them, it is difficult to connect those two."

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Workshops

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Field work

András Földes led a workshop in which he shared his many experiences of reporting from the field. He spoke about his experience with fixers, foreign journalists and sources.

Everything was backed up with videos and documents from his journeys. 

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"I absolutely adore András for doing such a job. I read and listen about these world regions, developing countries, conflict zones, etc.. but he has actually collected and helped the readers to see through."

"András is very positive, has interesting thoughts, and is fascinated by his work. His lecture was very interesting, as was his work."

"András was amazing, I loved to see all aspects of fieldwork, how to grasp everything, be ready and respectful, and the importance of showing all sides with consideration on what they are saying."
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"I find this workshop to be very beneficial because not many people do this type of work. He gave us practical advice about how to contact fixers, how to work with other journalists, and also with a smaller budget. He provided tips on how to behave in countries where we are for the first time and they are war or conflict zones. Valuable was also that he brought up examples in form of videos and documents." 

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Podcast

Workshops were led by experienced podcasters, which were sharing their experiences, providing firstly basic knowledge but then also practical tips and pieces of advice.


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Workshops included activities where participants tried to make pitch their own podcast, to which then speakers offered ways for improvement.
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"Podcasts with Jana Maťková were really great. Although before I was indecisive about whether to start creating podcasts as part of the project I'm working on, Janka convinced me that it's worth a try. Pleasant performance, a workshop full of information and especially feedback to participants' podcast suggestions - simply perfect."

"I loved the energy of Diane. She was the perfect example of a person who lives for their job and has been doing her best ever since. I enjoyed everything to the fullest. The friendliness and the mass of experiences just amazed me."


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"This workshop gave me an opportunity to look behind the curtain of podcast-making, like production or process of choosing a theme or what other types of podcast exist."

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Photography

Experienced journalists offered insight into how to make the most out of what we all carry with us – our phones. Sometimes journalists don't have photojournalists with them while reporting so it's in their best interest to know how to capture useful material with what they have in hand. A hot topic was also how to make a flattering portrait.

"It's important to think about how the light falls on the face because if it is wrong, it can ruin the whole picture. It's also better to have an empty background. because the person is the main focus."
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Participants learned about lighting, shade, background and positioning, all of which can be crucial while creating good-quality materials.
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"I really liked the approach and valuable advice for the future."

"Good recommendation about photos inspired me."


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"It was really helpful because I don't have a lot of experience in taking pictures and photographing. I think we learned a lot."

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Discussions

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Central-eastern vs. western

Journalists from Slovakia and journalists from Western media outlets spoke about newsroom practices, different working styles, and routines, and job positions such as researchers or fact-checkers, which are mostly unknown in the Central-Eastern part of Europe. 
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Palestine fixer

The discussion covered issues that (especially female) fixers from the Middle East experience in their job. Ameera Ahmad Harouda is the first woman fixer in Gaza, Palestine and she spoke about her own story and how she endures hardships in the name of bettering the situation.
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"I love to see women in journalism, media, philosophy and such. I find the discussion about the women fixers inspiring, proving that everything can be done with endurance."

"Her speech was very impressing and her job is amazing."

"Situation of female fixers in the Middle East was very interesting. Really wanna get to know more!"
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International media

Mirka Širotníková and Rob Anderson discussed the ways how to become an international journalist. After discussing the profession of fixers, the speakers agreed that if journalists want to become a fixer they should make themselves known through English-written articles. 

They also provided tips on how to prepare a proper pitch for media such as Reuters or Al Jazeera. A successful pitch should be relevant, shocking, up-to-date, and surprising. 

"Don't have too much complexity or too many names because people will become bored."










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Crucial is also the ability to separate the environment and background of the situation to be able to look at it from above and see the main, most crucial message. And then simplify it.

"No one is interested in the complexities of politics of the individual country. It has to be very clear, simple, and something that is important to know outside of the country."
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Journalists in war zone

Discussion "Journalists in a war zone" was with guests covering war and migration-related issues. Mirek Tóda and András Földes together with the host Iva Mrvová spoke about risks in the field and also preparation and practicalities.

"Part of reporting from these places is also this special feeling of - History is being created here." 




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A hot topic was also the mental health of individual journalists reporting from dangerous war-inflicted locations. Both guests agreed that some experiences can not be shared with loved ones and journalist has to carry them inside and find a healthy way to cope with them.

"We need to find a way how to report war without exhausting ourselves. We need to find balance."
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Lastly, guests agreed that for them, humor is a great way how to cope with extreme situations.
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Fun

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Start

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Coffee & Snacks

Whether participants wanted something healthy or sweet, whether they wanted fruits or wanted to try out traditional cakes, it was all there. Even coffee addicts were satisfied with the amazing catering provided by Mereena Café.

Mareena Café gives opportunities to migrant women. The goal of Mareena Café is to contribute to their economic independence and social inclusion, to develop their potential and skills, and at the same time to deepen relations between Slovaks and foreigners.


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Room for hungry participants was provided by Comenius University Infocentrum. 
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Networking

During breaks, hallways were full of conversations about the latest programme. Or funny stories that caused laughter and giggles. Some even bothered otheres with picures of their beloved pets and demanded a rating of their cuteness.

But what mattered the most, was the friendly and easy-going atmosphere.
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Final moments

We hope you had the most amazing time, and that you enjoyed it as much as we did.
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Ice-cream

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Ice-cream was provided by Zmrzlina LuMi.
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