The LuLac Edition #570, Sept. 12th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: JILL KONOPKA ON THE SET OF WBRE TV NEWS AND WITH THIS BLOG EDITOR AFTER A WORKOUT AT THE WILKES BARRE YMCA.

TABLES TURNED

The broadcast news business has been a source of fascination for “regular folks”. When a TV or Radio reporter asks an opinion of a man or woman in the street, it builds the connection between what is reported and what people think. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity as a “citizen blog/site operator to turn the tables and actually interview a TV reporter. WBRE TV’s Jill Konopka had some exciting news for me. She had been chosen as a “fellow” through the Radio and Television News Directors Foundation to travel to Europe. She leaves Saturday. That’s the great news. The not so great news is that Konopka’s contract with Nexstar Broadcasting has been fulfilled and it is likely that after this European trip, she will land elsewhere. Knowing Jill Konopka’s talent level and professionalism, you can be sure her next stop will either be in a bigger market or on a network. Anyway, here’s that interview:

WHY ARE YOU GOING TO GERMANY?

I'm going to Germany, Prague; Czech Republic and Brussels; Belgium with 10 other fellows from across the country. We've been selected for an all expense paid fellowship through the Radio and Television News Directors Foundation. It's officially called the German/American Journalist Exchange Program and it runs September 13th-28th 2008. It is sponsored by the RIAS Berlin Commission. We'll be meeting with politicians, business and media executives, NATO, European Union officials and we'll also tour radio and television stations in Germany.

GOING TO COMPARE MEDIA, THEIRS AND OURS?

Yes, we will definitely be comparing media. We American journalists will tour different stations and see how they cover news in Germany compared to us. It will be interesting and exciting to watch and learn. I also received a two-week extension to the program and will be staying in Germany through October 10th. At that time, I'll be interning either at the BBC and/or Reuters and Deutsche Welle which is a public broadcast television station, I believe (I'm still doing my research). It is a very exciting time in my life.

HAVE YOU EVER TRAVELED TO EUROPE?

I have never traveled to Europe so this trip means quite a bit to me. I have German roots as well and just found out I have a few cousins in Germany that I may try and reach out to if we are close to the cities in which they live. I'm also Polish and would like to travel to Poland if there is any free time. I would like to see my ancestors homeland and learn more about the culture of my Polish heritage.

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF THE TRIP?

My expectations of this trip are to learn all that I can about Europe and soak up as much information as possible. I will also be blogging throughout the trip (which is a totally new experience for me). I'll get the link to you a.s.a.p. I am excited to be able to document the daily activities of this trip.I also look forward to networking and learning from the other American and German journalists. And to have the opportunity to gather enough video and interviews to put together a story in Germany when I return.

WHEN YOU RETURN, HOW DO YOU SEE THIS AIDING YOU IN YOUR CAREER AS A BROADCAST JOURNALIST?

I think having international experience will open many doors for me. I feel honored and blessed to be chosen as a "fellow" because it's such a prestigious program and I'm ecstatic and thankful to be a part of it. Some of the past participants have gone on to do
exceptional things in the Broadcast Industry and I plan to follow their lead with a lot of hard work, passion, curiosity and a high standard of ethics.

LINK

Here's the link to Jill's blog, named appropriately, JILL IN GERMANY.

http://jillgermany.blogspot.com/