The KAS Media Programme Asia sent Moinuddin Ahmed, Chief Sub‐Editor of India's The Statesman newspaper, on an assignment to Deutsche Presse Agentur (DPA) to improve the cooperation between Germany's biggest press agency and the Asia News Network (ANN). As a member of ANN, The Statesman provides the newswire service with articles and stories.
Moinuddin wrote a report and shared his experiences with us:
Two things have been very kind to me throughout my life: November and Germany. While November, for me, brings along the energy to work after grueling summer and not so pleasant Delhi autumn, Germany has hosted me several times for my academic and professional ventures. This year, they came together in my Gmail inbox. Yes, I was informed by my editor through an email that I would be going to the German Press Agency (DPA), Berlin, for two weeks in November. You don’t want to miss such an opportunity, where you can learn new things, exchange perspectives and moreover be a Konrad- Adenauer-Stiftung fellow. Having no second thoughts about it, I registered my willingness to travel to Berlin, the city of history and culture to work with Germany’s largest news agency.
As soon as I reached the DPA office at the busy Markgraffen Street, I felt I was right on the button at this juncture of my journalistic career. An excellent infrastructure with highly qualified colleagues having remarkable international experience, were expecting me to be a part of the system for the next two weeks. I was there with a huge responsibility. I had to represent my employer, The Statesman, as well as the Asia News Network (ANN), of which, we are the founding members. I was introduced to the top brass of the organisation, including Mr Michael Ludewig, chief of foreign news service and Mr Nick Ragillo, chief of the English news service.
During my meetings with them, I realised the intensity with which the DPA is eyeing the Asian market. The agency, with the help of its network of correspondents in the region is making an effort to have its presence felt amongst the Asian readers. Some of the events that took place in Asia during my stay, including the natural disaster in the Philippines, John Kerry’s West Asia visit, Iran’s nuclear talks and India’s Mars mission, were extensively covered and distributed by the agency. Since I was at the news desk, having access to most of the services I could see that it was up to the mark. DPA’s coverage and analysis was on par with other major world news agencies. Moreover, it has a different perspective and take on news as compared to the others.
Apart from this, I had a chance to meet people from the graphics department, photo section, sports desk, as well as the Arabic desk among others. We discussed ways to improve the coordination in future, for example sharing information for events like the upcoming football World Cup and European Union Events. Similarly, Asia News Network can help DPA with ASEAN, SAARC and other events. I was fortunate to have attended a workshop on social media for journalists. During the workshop, I was able to learn how journalists can make good use of social media in gathering news and cross checking the facts.
Back in India now, I really hope that the collaboration between DPA and ANN grows to a level where we can offer a compelling alternative to our readers. Both organisations are highly committed to objective and independent journalism. I am looking forward to a joint venture, a news website in the near future, which will bring these two organisations to the same platform. As part of ANN, I would welcome DPA to Asia and hope it achieves its goals of attracting readers.