Last Snapshots of Colombia

By Adam Liebendorfer

The wind was howling and most of my body was out of the window.

My boss and I were driving along a cycling team in Colombia’s mountainous central state of Boyaca. Juan’s job was to drive and talk to their coach who was riding shotgun, mine was to film, photograph and get audio of the boys cycling.

It was one of three stories I worked on while in Boyaca. On that particularly day, we were covering a boy’s cycling academy for a multimedia feature for The Post and NPR. One of the team’s best cyclists invited us to his house, where we met his parents, siblings and peacock.Two days later we'd revisit the cycling team — at a 5 a.m. training session before the boys went to school.

# # #

It seemed like we bottomed out every quarter mile.

Packed into my boss’s SUV were him, me, two biologists, a full rig of camera gear and some audio equipment for radio work. We had headed out early that morning in a quest to film some Andean condors.

Except, even in the highlands of central Colombia, that’s no easy feat. The handful of condors that fly in Colombia patrol hundreds of miles a day for any animal carcasses that need “taken out of the ecosystem,” as one of the biologists so aptly told.

Our trip took us to a mountaintop radio array manned by the Colombian army. The soldiers stationed there haven’t seen the effects of country’s decades-long internal conflict for years. So to break up the lulls between drills and meals, they’ve taken up caring for condors.

The base was 15 or so miles out on more of a mountain pass than a real road. Those 15 miles took an hour and half to travel one way. The temperature was a balmy 35 degrees, yet my pale self managed to get the only tan that day in my whole two months in South America: a sunburnt strip on the back of the neck.

We didn’t see any condors that day, but luckily for the video story I had footage from a zoo outside of Bogota that we could use and one of the biologists gave us video of them releasing the birds.

# # #

The third thing I did in Boyaca was lay the groundwork for my big project of the summer: my individual reporting assignment. I went into Boyaca’s capital, Tunja, to talk to the coach of the women’s tejo team from there. The next several weeks were committed to perfecting my skills in the drunken sport of tejo, interviewing the team members and filming the Tejo National Championship. I’d explain the sport, but the link below does it more justice.

Whoever knew I was sports reporter?

———

"Tejo, Colombia's macho game, becomes a pastime for women"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/americas/tejo-colombias-macho-game-becomes-a-pastime-for-women/2011/08/11/gIQANNRoIJ_story.html

"Colombian Cyclists Dream Of Racing Out Of Poverty"
http://www.npr.org/2011/08/16/139674894/colombian-cyclists-dream-of-racing-out-of-poverty

"Colombian condors take flight"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/americas/colombian-condors-take-flight/2011/08/03/gIQATPvM1I_story.html

About SUSI experience in Estonian

By Kaja Tampere, Estonia

I wrote little bit in my blogs in Estonian about SUSI 2011 experience:
Story about intercultural relations due SUSI program
AND
About small towns in America (reflections about SUSI cultural tour in the Black Diamond Towns).
The last one was also published in Eesti Päevaleht (Estonian Daily).
Sorry that I'm writing in Estonian and the only possibility to read my text is to study Estonian :) But I think, it is very important to promote our SUSI-idea in the different languages also. Only in that case it will be really international case.

Internet Safety: A Collective Responsibility

By Dr. Vijaya Lakshmi

India

l watched a TV documentary long back about how the American Security System was strengthened after the assassination of its President John Kennedy. It’s a phenomenon that the U.S. government has developed such a strong security system for the safety of its citizens valuing human life. I was very keen to interact with law enforcement authorities to learn their experiences in combating cyber crime, especially in the context of children.

Dr. Aimee Edmondson, from Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, has fixed an appointment with Andrew D. Powers Chief of Police at the Ohio University Police Department. The conversation throws light on various aspects of online problems. Detective Sergeant Brian Kapple, supervisor of OUPD’s Criminal Investigation Unit, has also joined our conversation. I was quite enthralled to learn that Powers said that the law enforcement agencies don’t take up any activity that denies access to information to its citizens. It reflects the cultural context of the nation. It's considered a matter of democratic freedom and ingrained as a rational thought. From his experience, Powers pointed out that children sometimes fail to develop the interpersonal management skills to deal with crisis situations due to their heavy dependency on digital communication.

Sergeant Brian Kapple opined that the challenge in tackling cyber crimes is enormous because cybercriminals are unfettered by national boundaries, while law enforcement agencies' efforts are limited to local jurisdictions. He also pointed out that responsibility lies with educational institutions and parents to teach online safety for children. There may be some truth in that, but personally I feel it is the collective responsibility of the state and its citizens. Especially when I think of India, my home country, the situation is different where children access Internet at Cybercafé without any proper orientation about online problems which is a major concern for us. I expect the State Government to play a greater role in dealing with these cyber issues. Since cybercrime has no geographical boundaries, I think the global world has to work on a single platform to protect our innocent children from digital dangers.

It really amused me when Powers said in addition to investigating online crimes targeting children, the law enforcement agencies interact with children and their parents about Internet safety through Facebook and Twitter. Something that attracted me is the different Internet rating systems in the U.S., which provides ratings to social networking sites to indicate its status but it is a voluntary activity. The parents can asses the nature of SNS by looking at the ratings.

SUSI is an exciting program that gives me deeper insight into the American system and offers an opportunity to experience the professional and social atmosphere in the U.S. In addition, the hospitality I received from the SUSI staff is overwhelming.

Random Thoughts from My CNN Experience!

By Dr. Nnamdi T. Ekeanyanwu
Nigeria

The visit to CNN was one of the major high points of the cultural and media tours for me during this summer program. Apart from the classy nature of Atlanta, Georgia, CNN is truly a bride to behold.

Coming out of that study tour and the interactions that followed, I feel obligated to share these thoughts with you:

1. CNN does not own any satellites. The company rents space on satellites because it is cheaper to do so! Considering this, it has done well meeting the news needs of its numerous audiences.
2. At CNN currently, it is no longer about being FIRST but being ACCURATE. I was really impressed about this vital shift in operational focus!
3. The accusation leveled against CNN that it is the mouthpiece of the American Government or that it is sympathetic to the American cause is just perspective. I honestly think it depends on who is analyzing the issues.
4. The coverage of Africa on CNN has improved drastically. There are currently high definition programs like Inside Africa and African Voices that specifically focus on other areas of Africa other than news, which most of the time may be negative.
5. On a lighter note, no one in CNN knows the number of TV monitors/screens at the Atlanta Head Office! I could not count but from visual impressions, we could start from 10,000! That is an idea about the hugeness and operational size of the Atlanta Head Office.

Again, I sincerely want to thank the State Department in Washington and the Administrators of this year's SUSI program under the Directorship of Professor Yusuf Kalyango for including such an important place in our media itinerary. I am completely impressed. We have visited community media firms, national media firms and now CNN, which is a recognized and reputable global brand. What more can we ask from SUSI? In fact, I am now tempted to regard myself as not just a Professor of International Communication but a Professor of American Media Systems!!!

Thank you SUSI 2011,
Dr. Nnamdi Ekeanyanwu
SUSI Scholar for 2011
Representing Covenant University and Nigeria.

The Common Word

By Abdulrahman Al-Shami
Yemen

It doesn't matter if it's a private TV station or a public one or a private citizen. The common word that we heard during our cultural and media tours was “community.” They all work hard and dedicate their time for the benefit of their community. It is a great deed to dedicate some of your time to your community. This is a lesson we learned from those tours.

We Did it!!

By Abdulrahman Al-Shami
Yemen

We were almost 100% sure that we will fall asleep in today’s afternoon session on social media due to travel exhaustion from our trip to Atlanta. But things went completely differently. We were involved in a hot discussion and the session lasted for more than two hours. I still can’t believe that we did it despite of our fatigue.

Understanding the conflict

By Syed Irfan Ashraf
Pakistan

Perhaps, understanding the conflict is more important than plunging headlong to report on it from the first shot. This is the way a reporter can help save himself/herself by not becoming a victim to wars and also making it possible to provide uncontaminated news to readers.

Last week, such observations were part of the discussion at the E.W Scripps School of Journalism, where 17 scholars from different countries of the world gathered as part of the SUSI program. Though, the scholars realized that it is increasingly difficult to understand conflicts in an era of proxy wars. Because in such a situation shadows are fighting, which makes it hard for reporters to understand the issues.

What to do then? Should a reporter leave the job and go home or should he work harder to understand what is going on? The first option is not possible as no media outlet can afford to shift focus from reporting wars and conflicts in their respective regions. The latter case, though, is not only possible but also preferable. However, it will add some more responsibilities on the shoulders of the already overburdened war reporters.

Keeping in view the changing patterns of global conflicts in terms of technological development and usage of new warfare strategies and tactics, it is increasingly important for a journalist to work extra hours. "We need 'thinking journalists' to stay aware in a conflict zone," one of the SUSI scholars said. "They must understand what is happening around and how he should report about it in the safest possible way," he added.

In fact, to get it done properly, it is important for a reporter to understand the history of the conflict and to stay in touch with the local people and conflict players. In addition, personal observations and analytical skills are the most sought after requirements of conflict sensitive reporting. It all will help a reporter to put information in proper context.

Usually, journalists are the victims of their own dull routines. Since they, in most cases, are used to work in normal environments for long periods of time, they expect the same when they find themselves in abnormal situation or when they are sent to a war zone to cover it. In some areas like the north west of Pakistan, such insensitive coverage of the sensitive issues are increasingly leading to the death of journalists.

Under abnormal circumstances, a better journalist is the one who is more professional. Who is not only aware of the skills of reporting but also understands the changing nature of conflict dynamics. And most important of all, who knows how to present information in its proper context. This is the job of a "thinking journalist." Such measures will help a reporter to access himself/herself every time by not becoming party to the conflict and also to avoid losing to it personally.

Global Spotlight-Special Edition for SUSI 2011

by Ashley Furrow
SUSI 2011 Program Assistant

In this issue of Global Spotlight, we have gathered a series of stories that provide an insight into the 2011 SUSI summer program at the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University.

The Study of the U.S. Institute (SUSI) on Journalism and Media is an annual summer institute of international journalism scholars and media experts from universities and academic institutions from around the world. The SUSI summer institute is funded by an annual renewable grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Study of the U.S. Branch in the Office of Academic Exchange Programs. It is administered by the Institute for International Journalism.

The first two pages — a map of the world with each scholar’s nation in various colors — give a glimpse into each scholar’s thoughts on the first two weeks of the program.

The program combines academic sessions with cultural experiences to enrich each scholar’s knowledge of the different media systems in the U.S. while also expanding each scholar’s knowledge of our nation’s history and culture.

We hope that with each story, you will experience a different aspect of the program.

Thank you for taking the time to read and appreciate the effort of each SUSI director, scholar and program assistant who participated in this special edition.

Click here to read this edition

IIJ-SUSI Scholar Cooperative Visit in Istanbul, Turkey

By Xueying Luo

SUSI 2011 scholar, Prof. Dr. Erol Nezih Orhon, organized a campus tour of Anadolu University in Eskisehir, Turkey for the delegation led by the director of the Institute for International Journalism (IIJ) and professor of journalism, Dr. Yusuf Kalyango. The IIJ’s mission to Anadolu University was to survey possible cooperative opportunities between the College of Communication & Journalism and the IIJ in the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University.The visiting team from the IIJ included Dr. Petya Eckler from the University of Iowa. Professor Eckler is a member of the advisory board of IIJ.

Dr. Orhon’s student also organized a city tour of Istanbul as well as the city of Eskisehir for Dr. Kalyango. The domestic travel from Istanbul to Anadolu University, Eskisehir was personally funded by Nezih Orhon and his university.

During the visit, Kalyango tweeted, “I’m getting the royal treatment in Turkey… What an amazing lively, historical, diverse city. Lovely people!” Kalyango said, “It’s a great research trip, it’s a promising IIJ-SUSI alliance tour, the delegation of E.W. Scripps School of Journalism will visit Anadolu University again.”

Nezih Orhon is one of the 17 international journalism and media scholars from universities around the world who are participating in SUSI summer institute. SUSI is funded by an annual renewable grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Study of the U.S. Branch in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Kalyango was in Istanbul to attend the 2011 annual conference of the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR). During the second week of the SUSI 2011 program, Kalyango traveled to Istanbul give a research talk at the conference.

Anadolu University- a world class university

IIJ Director, Kalyango was warmly received by the president/rector of Anadolu University, Prof. Dr. Davut Aydin and his vice president/vice rector, Prof. Dr. Ender Suvaci. The IIJ plans to lead a delegation of the Scripps College of Communication administrators for an official visit to Anadolu University in 2012.

Anadolu University was established in 1958, it annually educates 1.7 million students from around the world. It is one of the preeminent innovative universities in Turkey. As a state university, Anadolu University houses 12 faculties or main colleges and three of which offer distance education. The university has the most successful distance education programs in the world that several national and international educational institutions replicate as a model.

Its main campus is located at the center of Eskesire, a city known as a scientific and cultural center. In Turkey, Anadolu University is the only authorized university as a center of excellence in aviation and railway systems and it facilitates the progress of transportation in Turkey.

A Glance at the City of Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is located on the Bosphorus Strait and it extends both the European and Asian sides of the Bosphorus. It is the only city in the world that goes across two continents. Istanbul is situated in the northwest of Turkey; the whole city encompasses the natural harbor, Golden Horn.

Istanbul is a city of long history; its historic areas have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985. Istanbul served as the capital city of the Roman Empire (330–395), the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire (395–1204 and 1261–1453), the Latin Empire (1204–1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453–1922). After the Turkish War of Independence on Oct. 29, 1923, Ankara replaced Istanbul as the capital city of Republic of Turkey.

Currently, Istanbul is bidding to host the 2020 Summer Olympics. In the year 2010, Istanbul served as a joint European Capital of Culture and was chosen as the European Capital of Sports for 2012.

Yemeni Media System Presents at Ohio University

By Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Shami

As part of the ongoing SUSI program at Ohio University, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Shami delivered a presentation on the media system in Yemen, in which he reviewed the development of Yemeni media, including the private one, as well as the legislative framework governing the work in Yemen.

It is noteworthy that SUSI’s program is the U.S. State Department's media exchange cultural program, hosted for the second year by E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, which is one of the top-ten media schools in the U.S. Seventeen scholars from different countries in the world participated in this program. More/Arabic