World between the Lines Festival
26.06.2022 - 28.06.2022Between the Lines FestivalInternational training and media festival
About the event"International participation, networking opportunities."
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.
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.
ProgrammeThe festival consisted of presentations, interactive workshops and discussions. And, between the lines, lots of laughter and new contacts!
Feedback from participantsWhat message are you taking home from this training?
"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."
"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."
Credits and disclaimer
Credits and disclaimer
Fullscreen
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).
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).
Presentations
Presentations
Offline and online presentations with speakers from different countries. Each of them provided insight into global issues, such as migration, media coverage, refugees, hate-speech and use of language. All presentations were open for discussioon, in which participants often shared their different perspectives based on their home country.
Click on what presentation you want to explore.
Click on what presentation you want to explore.
Other perspectives
Other perspectives with journalists from the Global SouthHamimu Masudi
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
"Journalists have to dig deep. They have to provide context, historical background, see the big picture and make connections."
Presentation from Hamimu Masudi
Other perspectives with journalists from the Global SouthMichele Ferris Dobles
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
"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
Katariina from Estonia What catched your attention during presentations from Global South?
"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."
Feedback from participantsDid you learn something useful during presentations?
"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."
"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."
Migration as an issue to cover
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.
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.
"Hate speech is sometimes like a dog-whistle. Not everyone can catch it."- Tom Law
"Just because it's interesting to the public does not mean it's the public interest."- Tom Law
Feedback from participantsWhat did you think of the presentation?
"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."
"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."
Global imagination in the media
Global imagination in the mediaShani Orgad
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
"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
"Showing a person in a less human way can jusify the violence later on."-Shani Orgad
World based only on media
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?
What message about our world did the newspapers give?
"Based on newspapers, the world is full of conflicts and white men. Culture is insignificant."
Mária from SlovakiaDo you think that the image which media presented during pandemic was accurate?
"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."
Štěpán from Czech RepublicDid you learn something useful during presentation about global imagination?
"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."
Nataliya from Czech RepublicWhat was important for you personally from the presentations?
"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."
Workshops
Workshops
Participants could choose from various interactive workshops with lecturers from Slovakia, Hungary, or Germany. Workshops were practical
and full of activities, led by people that have first-hand experiences.
Click on what workshop you want to explore.
Click on what workshop you want to explore.
Field work
How to work in the field
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.
Everything was backed up with videos and documents from his journeys.
"It eases the communication when you are friendly and familiar with their customs - how to greet them, eat with them, thank them,... It shows you have respect for their culture."- András Földes
Feedback from participantsDid you enjoy the workshop?
"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."
"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."
Petra from SlovakiaWhat did you like about field workshop?
"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."
Podcast
How to make a great podcastDiane Hielscher & Jana Maťková
Workshops were led by experienced podcasters, which were sharing their experiences, providing firstly basic knowledge but then also practical tips and pieces of advice.
Practical activities
Workshops included activities where participants tried to make pitch their own podcast, to which then speakers offered ways for improvement.
Feedback from participantsWhat did you think of the workshop?
"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."
"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."
Ema from SlovakiaDid you find the podcast workshop useful?
"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."
Photography
How to make good pictures with a phoneTomáš Benedikovič & Jana Čavojská
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."
"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."
It is possible if you know what to look out for
Participants learned about lighting, shade, background and positioning, all of which can be crucial while creating good-quality materials.
Workshops also included practical activity, where participants tried to create the best photos with their phones.
Before/after view
By working with their own phone, participants learned skills that can be beneficial in the field.
Feedback from participantsDid you find the workshop useful?
"I really liked the approach and valuable advice for the future."
"Good recommendation about photos inspired me."
"Good recommendation about photos inspired me."
Helen from FinlandDid you find photography workshop interesting?
"It was really helpful because I don't
have a lot of experience in taking pictures and photographing. I think we learned a lot."
Discussions
Discussions
Speakers from Britain, Slovakia, Palestine and Hungary. Journalistic topics like writing for international media, reporting from conflict zones, the profession of female fixers in the Middle East, and comparison of Central-Eastern and Western journalistic practices. Lots of opportunities for education, refreshing of already known or gaining new useful contacts.
Click on what discussion you want to see.
Click on what discussion you want to see.
Central-eastern vs. western
Central-Eastern journalism vs. Western journalismBeáta Balogová, Nicholas watson, Mirka Širotníková, Rob Anderson
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.
"Being a journalist means remaining human even if it contradicts personal benefit."- Beáta Balogová
"The idea of pure objectivity is a little bit naive. But what journalists can do is to approach the story fairly."- Rob Anderson
"Nobody said journalism is easy and cool. It's not. It's tiring and sometimes bloody miserable, you cover difficult themes. It is also very rewarding, but still very very hard. Journalists need to accept that."- Nicholas Watson
Palestine fixer
Female fixer from PalestineAmeera Ahmad Harouda & Ivana Mrvová
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.
Feedback from participantsDid you find the discussion interesting?
"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!"
"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!"
International media
How to write for international mediaMirka Širotníková & Rob Anderson
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."
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."
"The worst thing you can say is that it is complicated. No one wants to hear about that."- Rob Anderson
Finding the main message
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."
"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."
"Journalism is a very rewarding job, but there is also a high chance of burn-out."- Mirka Širotníková
Journalists in war zone
Journalists in a war zoneMirek Tóda & András Földes
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."
"Part of reporting from these places is also this special feeling of - History is being created here."
Some stories can not be shared
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."
"We need to find a way how to report war without exhausting ourselves. We need to find balance."
Importance of laughter
Lastly, guests agreed that for them, humor is a great way how to cope with extreme situations.
"I am suspicious of journalists who are solely war journalists. There is a very thin line to not make it about entertainment and ego. We are not there to be heroes, we are there to be humble, almost invisible, report and come back."Mirek Tóda
"For me, the frontline is not interesting. People shooting each other look everywhere the same. What is interesting is people and their stories and how they were changed."- András Földes
Fun
In the meantimeLots of laughter, new friendships and contacts, snacks and coffee, mountains of pizza and of course, everyone's favorite - delicious ice-cream!
Click on what part you want to explore.
Start
It all started on the riverWith a mesmerizing view over the Danube river, participants met for the first time over tasty dinner and refreshing lemonades.
The best way to start networking = while admiring the sunset
Coffee & Snacks
Endless coffee, fresh water and 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.
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.
And we can say nothing less than that these women were the sweetest people ever!(Almost as sweet as their delicious baklava.)
Moutains of pizza and falafel
Room for hungry participants was provided by Comenius University Infocentrum.
Lunch time!Food was provided by Arabeska bistro and everything was also in vegan and gluten-free options.
Great minds never stop working(Even if it's time to eat.)
Networking
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.
But what mattered the most, was the friendly and easy-going atmosphere.
Struggling with the summer heatAir conditioning was not only useful for cooling off the working brains, but also to have diva moments.
Final moments
Thank you all for coming!
We hope you had the most amazing time, and that you enjoyed it as much as we did.
See you next year!
Ice-cream
The best of the bestWhile enduring summer temperatures, nothing works better than ice-cream.
We knew participants were going to enjoy this surprise.
Ice-cream was provided by Zmrzlina LuMi.
And we were right!
Ice-cream = instant happiness
Ice-cream = instant happiness vol. 2
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Between the Lines Festival
About the event
Gallery
Feedback from participants
Credits and disclaimer
Presentations
Other perspectives with journalists from the Global South
Other perspectives with journalists from the Global South
Katariina from Estonia
Feedback from participants
Migration as an issue to cover
"Hate speech is sometimes like a dog-whistle. Not everyone can catch it."
"Just because it's interesting to the public does not mean it's the public interest."
Feedback from participants
Global imagination in the media
"Showing a person in a less human way can jusify the violence later on."
World based only on media
"Based on newspapers, the world is full of conflicts and white men. Culture is insignificant."
Mária from Slovakia
Štěpán from Czech Republic
Nataliya from Czech Republic
Workshops
How to work in the field
"It eases the communication when you are friendly and familiar with their customs - how to greet them, eat with them, thank them,... It shows you have respect for their culture."
Feedback from participants
Petra from Slovakia
How to make a great podcast
Practical activities
Feedback from participants
Ema from Slovakia
How to make good pictures with a phone
It is possible if you know what to look out for
Workshops also included practical activity, where participants tried to create the best photos with their phones.
By working with their own phone, participants learned skills that can be beneficial in the field.
Feedback from participants
Helen from Finland
Discussions
Central-Eastern journalism vs. Western journalism
"Being a journalist means remaining human even if it contradicts personal benefit."
"The idea of pure objectivity is a little bit naive. But what journalists can do is to approach the story fairly."
"Nobody said journalism is easy and cool. It's not. It's tiring and sometimes bloody miserable, you cover difficult themes. It is also very rewarding, but still very very hard. Journalists need to accept that."
Female fixer from Palestine
Feedback from participants
How to write for international media
"The worst thing you can say is that it is complicated. No one wants to hear about that."
Finding the main message
"Journalism is a very rewarding job, but there is also a high chance of burn-out."
Journalists in a war zone
Some stories can not be shared
Importance of laughter
"I am suspicious of journalists who are solely war journalists. There is a very thin line to not make it about entertainment and ego. We are not there to be heroes, we are there to be humble, almost invisible, report and come back."
"For me, the frontline is not interesting. People shooting each other look everywhere the same. What is interesting is people and their stories and how they were changed."
In the meantime
It all started on the river
The best way to start networking = while admiring the sunset
Endless coffee, fresh water and snacks
And we can say nothing less than that these women were the sweetest people ever!
Moutains of pizza and falafel
Lunch time!
Great minds never stop working
Networking
Struggling with the summer heat
Thank you all for coming!
See you next year!
The best of the best
We knew participants were going to enjoy this surprise.
And we were right!
Ice-cream = instant happiness
Ice-cream = instant happiness vol. 2
