Berlin Wall anniversary puts focus on journalism

Yana Siedova, from Ukrainian magazine Focus, met journalists from across the former Soviet Union at a special conference in Berlin timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

She was among 80 journalists who gathered in the German capital to explore the changing face of the media in Eastern Europe over the last 20 years and the supporting role of institutions like the EU.

During the four-day conference, journalists looked to the future of the European Neighbourhood Journalism Network, which has been hailed a great success in strengthening links between journalists across the EU countries.

Said Yana, pictured above: “It was a privilege to be here in Berlin at such an interesting time. We got to meet colleagues from across our region and were able to exchange ideas as well as to report on the colourful events here in Berlin.”

After two days of conference activities, the journalists picked up their notebooks and cameras to record the Berlin Wall anniversary. The Thomson Foundation, a driving force behind the network, was on hand to provide training and mentoring for the journalists.

Recommendations from the event will be announced over the next few weeks. More information on the network’s activities and the Berlin Conference can be found on the European Nieghbourhood Journalism Network website.