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Lack of coverage and training for environmental journalism in Germany

tschuetz

"What does the lack in prominence of environmental coverage in German TV tell us about the general state of environmental journalism in Germany? It is almost impossible to draw con- clusions based on hard facts and numbers.There is no national organization of professionals in the media dealing with this topic like the Society of Environmental Journalists in the USA, for instance.That means there are also no statistics about how many editors, reporters, or producers would count themselves as environmental journalists; nobody is keeping track. Communications scholars, when asked about the number of environmental journalists in Germany, reply with: “That’s something I would also like to know; tell me if you find out.”There is no formal educa- tion, and only a few training opportunities are offered for established writers and editors who want to specialize in the field. In recent years, some well-qualified and experienced reporters on newspapers with influential voices have departed (or been made to depart) the publishing houses or even journalism per se, leaving a noticeable gap." (Schrader 2020)


"Summarizing, environmental journalism in Germany appears to be in a transition phase. Many traditional media and press outlets are struggling to keep their business model or find a new one. And reporting on air quality, biodiversity, or the climate beyond their often-superficial implications for national politics is not high on the list of priorities. Much of the work might be shifting to online publishing in new contexts and organizations, but those are still forming and far from settled."

Foreign Schools

tschuetz

This news article focuses on the 140 "foreign schools" that the German state runs in different countries. However, only 30% of the schools' funding comes from the German government, while the rest is raised through fees paid by parents. The article reports that due to school closures, funding has dwindled rapidly and according to self-evaluations, 64% of schools face bankruptcy unless the German state offers emergency support. The article reports that back in November, the German government decided to foster the schools as a means of cultural and educational foreign politics.  A web conference to discuss the issue is planned for next week.

Our project could keep tabs on how foreign schools as spaces of transnationalism become reshaped during COVID-19.

cuts, proposals and the need to democratize university decision-making in the United States

Kim Fortun
Roddy Reid shared these links on May 5: - Bryan Alexander on the first wave of cuts to universities: https://bryanalexander.org/higher-education/the-first-wave-of-pandemic-cuts-to-colleges-and-universities/?fbclid=IwAR0hjYH_X9H9MfAT-sOnVgPH0Op9tCKf2K4EzOzFvJNdrMWQfosYFvJuzfc- SF Art Institute to stay open:https://www.artforum.com/news/san-francisco-art-institute-to-stay-open-with-limited-academic-offerings-82913?fbclid=IwAR0s9j17a7nWDVTF7mR4acdiJ26hJK8PLsF5GjrLInmAXUxEY1cD9BdHA5c- free access to special issue of Academe by the (American Association of University Professors (AAUP) in the context of attacks on higher education: “The Politics of Knowledge”, including Judith Butler’s dissenting view on the AAUP’s "Statement of Knowledge" and Chris Newfield on the need to democratize university decision-making- Adjunct lecturers' low pay (report):https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/04/20/new-report-says-many-adjuncts-make-less-3500-course-and-25000-year?fbclid=IwAR1b-vyB-Ab2gQM6MuomOuJAgdEAngvVWhoUiqsa-_A_5mTVQi47T6xZ5fU- The American Prospect on student debt and the Federal Reserve: https://prospect.org/blogs/tap/student-debt-and-the-fed/?fbclid=IwAR3IPC-KdvSYdM6DHl2Si9vX4eLnWSpFgTSOIXoupPPk4bW8Y-KIm4hz5W0Change.org petition on reinvesting in higher education nationally: https://www.change.org/p/elected-officials-immediately-protect-and-strengthen-higher-education-for-the-post-covid-world?fbclid=IwAR0Gy_fEn7pKUNaN3Z4oeYlnyy_4FGSt8fwTYZVFnODIh36zoy6mnIQ0v-A

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Alexi Martin

The central argument/narrative of the film is explaining what the Fukishima nuclear meltdown was and what was done to contain the explosions and the subsquent radiation that was leaking into the atmosphere. How to restore power to the plant in order to contain the fuel rods and prevent meltdown. Indirectly the argument was to persuade the public to be more informed about nuclear power and the affects it could have on the world- to learn how to prevent nuclear disasters; make emergency nuclear response teams.

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Zackery.White

"Inside Japan's Nuclear Meltdown" is a frontline documentary that outlines the events that transpired right before and right after the earthquake and tsunami and all events that occurred following. The central narrative was more of a behind the scenes view of the events that transpired. Having this "behinds the scenes knowledge" can provide future disaster planners crucial information.

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Sara_Nesheiwat

The main point and argument of this film is to demonstrate the importance of public health education and protocols for both the public and those in charge or part of the government. The documentary focuses on the West African Ebola outbreak. Specifically, the struggles of Liberia are demonstrated and portrayed. The outbreak proved to be something that the government wasn't able to fully contain and protect citizens from. The fact that this outbreak occurred right after the end of a 14 year long civil war also proved to be an obstacle. The documentary shows the uneducated, misinformed lack of effort to contain, stop or cure the spread of disease or to even inform those that were infected. There was a complete lack of awareness on diseases in general, Ebola specifically and of protocols to enact when faced with this issue demonstrated by the government.

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seanw146

The main narrative of the film “In the Shadow of Ebola” is to show the impact from the top to bottom of the disease and the response to that disease. This includes international decisions affecting the nation of Liberia, the national government’s actions affecting the local communities and families there. Disease awareness and infrastructure are the main focus.