Study visit to France and Germany
Strengthening Cross-Border Journalism and European Media Cooperation
A Week of exchange, learning, and inspiration
Strasbourg/Baden-Baden/Cologne, 17–22 March 2025 - From 17 to 22 March, media professionals from public service broadcasters across the Western Balkans took part in an intensive study visit to major European institutions and media houses in France and Germany. The visit, part of the EU-funded Innovation. Media. Minds.: Support to Public Service Journalism in the Western Balkans program —managed by the Goethe-Institut and implemented by DW Akademie — offered journalists, editors, and media managers from RTV, RTCG, BHRT, RTVFBiH, RTSH, and RTK valuable exposure to best practices in journalism, media innovation, and European cooperation.
The visit began in Strasbourg, with tours of the European Parliament and European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Participants engaged directly with representatives from the ECHR’s Press Office and the Office of the President on topics related to journalist protection and freedom of expression.
The delegation also visited ARTE in Strasbourg, a Franco-German broadcaster known for cross-border collaboration. Media professionals engaged in dialogue on editorial processes, investigative reporting, and European co-productions.
In Baden-Baden, sessions at Südwestrundfunk (SWR) focused on AI in journalism, storytelling in legal reporting, and content innovation. In Cologne, the visit to Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) explored constructive journalism, ethical use of AI, and strategies for engaging digital audiences.
Voices from the region
“The study visit held in France and Germany is important from several aspects and will help in my further personal work, as well as in the work of the Federal Television. As someone who has mainly dealt with domestic politics in Bosnia and Herzegovina throughout my professional career, at a time when our country is in a phase where it should start pre-accession negotiations for European Union membership, the visit to the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights means a lot. The role and understanding of the work of these institutions is something essential for every journalist in Bosnia and Herzegovina, so the visit to them and the opportunity to engage in discussions and ask questions is a great privilege.”
— Kristina Pranjic, journalist/TV host/producer at RTVFBiH
“This study visit was more than just an exchange of experiences on media practices. In addition to learning about good business practices in the world of digital media, social networks, and modern formats designed to overcome the barrier between the traditional way of presenting content and the needs of a younger audience, the study visit provided media professionals with insight into the work of European institutions and pointed out the way in which we can obtain information about their activities.”
— Radoslav Sijacic, Assistant Editor-in-Chief of the Multimedia Program - Web, RTV
“As a journalist from RTK, the study visit to the European Parliament, the European Court of Human Rights, ARTE, SWR, and WDR has been an incredibly valuable and enriching experience. It has greatly contributed to my professional growth and the continuation of my work in journalism. The lectures in each program provided new insights and lessons that will enhance my approach to media work.”
— Valbona Tahiri, editor/journalist at RTK
Strengthening Media Innovation and Public Service Values
The study visit reinforced the importance of independent and ethical journalism, cross-border collaboration, and the need for public service media to adapt to the digital age while staying true to its mission. Participants explored how European institutions and broadcasters are addressing audience engagement, combating disinformation, and embracing new formats for storytelling.
Strasbourg/Baden-Baden/Cologne, 17–22 March 2025 - From 17 to 22 March, media professionals from public service broadcasters across the Western Balkans took part in an intensive study visit to major European institutions and media houses in France and Germany. The visit, part of the EU-funded Innovation. Media. Minds.: Support to Public Service Journalism in the Western Balkans program —managed by the Goethe-Institut and implemented by DW Akademie — offered journalists, editors, and media managers from RTV, RTCG, BHRT, RTVFBiH, RTSH, and RTK valuable exposure to best practices in journalism, media innovation, and European cooperation.
The visit began in Strasbourg, with tours of the European Parliament and European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Participants engaged directly with representatives from the ECHR’s Press Office and the Office of the President on topics related to journalist protection and freedom of expression.
The delegation also visited ARTE in Strasbourg, a Franco-German broadcaster known for cross-border collaboration. Media professionals engaged in dialogue on editorial processes, investigative reporting, and European co-productions.
In Baden-Baden, sessions at Südwestrundfunk (SWR) focused on AI in journalism, storytelling in legal reporting, and content innovation. In Cologne, the visit to Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) explored constructive journalism, ethical use of AI, and strategies for engaging digital audiences.
Voices from the region
“The study visit held in France and Germany is important from several aspects and will help in my further personal work, as well as in the work of the Federal Television. As someone who has mainly dealt with domestic politics in Bosnia and Herzegovina throughout my professional career, at a time when our country is in a phase where it should start pre-accession negotiations for European Union membership, the visit to the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights means a lot. The role and understanding of the work of these institutions is something essential for every journalist in Bosnia and Herzegovina, so the visit to them and the opportunity to engage in discussions and ask questions is a great privilege.”
— Kristina Pranjic, journalist/TV host/producer at RTVFBiH
“This study visit was more than just an exchange of experiences on media practices. In addition to learning about good business practices in the world of digital media, social networks, and modern formats designed to overcome the barrier between the traditional way of presenting content and the needs of a younger audience, the study visit provided media professionals with insight into the work of European institutions and pointed out the way in which we can obtain information about their activities.”
— Radoslav Sijacic, Assistant Editor-in-Chief of the Multimedia Program - Web, RTV
“As a journalist from RTK, the study visit to the European Parliament, the European Court of Human Rights, ARTE, SWR, and WDR has been an incredibly valuable and enriching experience. It has greatly contributed to my professional growth and the continuation of my work in journalism. The lectures in each program provided new insights and lessons that will enhance my approach to media work.”
— Valbona Tahiri, editor/journalist at RTK
Strengthening Media Innovation and Public Service Values
The study visit reinforced the importance of independent and ethical journalism, cross-border collaboration, and the need for public service media to adapt to the digital age while staying true to its mission. Participants explored how European institutions and broadcasters are addressing audience engagement, combating disinformation, and embracing new formats for storytelling.