GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT Special Edition: Study of the United States Institute (SUSI) on Journalism and Media Page 2 Institute for International Journalism, E

Volume V, Issue 2, 2013 GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT Special edition: Study of the United States Institute (SUSI) on Journalism and Media page 2 Institute for International Journalism, E. W. Scripps School of Journalism Vol. V Issue 2 - 2013

ditors’ Staff � Advisor Dr. Yusuf Kalyango

Editors-in-Chief ote Aimee Sabrine Shyirambere It seems like just yesterday, we were eagerly awaiting the Pamela E. Walck arrival of 16 strangers to Athens, Ohio. Chu Wu Their names unfamilarN to the tongue. Their homelands little more than dots on maps. Knowledge of their national SUSI Directors and Staff media systems, politics and classroom experiences completely Dr. Yusuf Kalyango unknown. Prof. Bill Reader Six weeks later, the members of the Study of the U.S. Prof. Mary Rogus Institute on Journalism and Media (SUSI) class of 2013 – Dr. Jatin Srivastava funded through 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 – depart as friends. Contributing Writers They are experienced traveling companions, blossoming SUSI Program Assistants researching partners and welcomed members of the E.W. Kay-Anne Darlington Scripps family at Ohio University. Aimee Sabrine Shyirambere They have generously shared their cultures with each other Pamela E. Walck and program faculty and staff. They have welcomed each other Michael Wolven with open arms. Many are making plans to continue supporting Chu Wu one another once they return to their respective classrooms. Skype guest lectures among scholars in the same time zones SUSI Scholars have already been penciled into calendars. Syllabus materials Mrs. Consuelo Aguirre have already been exchanged among scholars. And research Ms. Shabnam Azim agendas have developed along with plans to attend future Mrs. Carole Chibbonta academic conferences. Dr. Sleiman El Bssawmai It is remarkable how much can change in such a short period Ms. Gunjidmaa Gongor of time. How strangers can become closer than brothers or Mr. Seymur Kazimov sisters. How the things that seemingly divide us can diminish Dr. Antonio Momoc over a meal made with affection and seasoned with friendship. Ms. Sibongile Mpofu How saying goodbye – regardless of one’s mother tongue – can Dr. Anand Pradhan be such a difficult thing. Mr. Eak Prasad In the following pages, you are invited to share a glimpse Ms. Beatriz LOVO Reichmann into the second half of the 2013 SUSI journey. We hope it helps Dr. Gulnura Toralieva keep memories strong until we meet again. Mr. Egidio Vaz Raposo Mr. Fernando Venegas Sincerely, Dr. Sharon Wilson The-Editors-in-Chief Dr. Yuriy Zaliznyak

Photographer Robert Hardin Vol. V Issue 2 - 2013 Global Spotlight page 3

“More than 11,000 employees are living their daily lives and enjoying their unique jobs at Googleplex. Their unique work style makes them very likely the happiest employees in the U.S. – or even in the entire world.”

SUSI 2013 scholars enjoy a guided, walking tour of the Googleplex during their July 18, 2013 visit. How Google conquered the world By Antonio Momoc Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Ukraine, the U.S. – or even in the entire world. meet his or her colleagues. Anyone can the Googleplex: free food, free coffee, and SUSI Scholar, Romania Zambia and Zimbabwe) – had a once in a The work conditions that Sergei Brin bring their dog to the workplace; everyone free soft drinks. The company provides Any person on Earth that uses the lifetime opportunity within our program and Larry Page created for each of their is free to play if they feel like it: there is a food 24/7. The management encourages Internet, search engines, e-mail, blogs, at Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School employees are unimaginable in countries climbing wall, several bowling lanes, pool employees to eat healthy, to enjoy fish or social media, or any other tool from the 2.0 of Journalism: to visit the Googelers and such as the ones from which we, the SUSI billiard tables, seven gyms – in short, a fun salads. era should have the right to visit Google discover life there from inside out. scholars, come from. The managers have place to be and to work doing cool stuff. Last year, Google employees ate 3 Headquarters at least once in their lifetime. Google Headquarters is situated in thought of everything: from lunch to free You get the best ideas when you are million bananas. The most popular food People like me, who are very involved in California, in a place beyond the mist of time during breaks in work. One of the hiking, playing volleyball or relaxing. So here is Indian food, because of the many social media studies, consider Googleplex Silicon Valley, but not very far from San most important values of the company this is the reason why everyone at Google Indians who are employed by Google. But the Mecca of the Internet users. Francisco or Stanford University. More is to create a fun environment for its has 20 percent free time: you can work also Asian, Mexican, Japanese and Italian Last month, we – the SUSI scholars than 11,000 employees are living their employees. on your idea, finish your own projects, food is popular among the company’s from 16 countries (Azerbaijan, daily lives and enjoying their unique jobs at Lunch is a very social thing, so each and perhaps in the process, generate new employees. Bangladesh, Chile, Ecuador, Honduras, Googleplex. Their unique work style makes employee from a different culture has Google products. India, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, them very likely the happiest employees in lunch in Googleplex and uses the time to Anything one could wish for is found at Google continued on Page 4 page 4 Institute for International Journalism, E. W. Scripps School of Journalism Vol. V Issue 2 - 2013

“(Richard) Gingras is very aware of the fact that Google is changing the world.”

continued from Page 3 Richard Gingras, Google’s senior director of news and social products, Working 24/7 will make you useless, so redefined the concept of news: that is why the engineers are free to chose “What is most important to you, as a the timetable when they come to work: human being, is news! What my mother, some work 6:00 to 14:00, others prefer a who is 90 years old, posts about her health schedule that is from 10:00 to 18:00. They condition is news for me,” he said. can always work from home, from their Gingras is very aware of the fact that local office, and are not obliged to come Google is changing the world. The types to the office at all. What other company of changes produced in the world by would do that? companies, such as Google, are inevitable. Being part of Google does not mean But progress is a choice. only having a wonderful job. It also means The right choice is to master new realizing that you are part of the change media technologies – otherwise, you will happening to the world. be mastered by them.

(Above) Yuriy Zaliznyak, from Ukraine; Fernando Venegas, Chile; Sleiman El Bssawmai, Lebanon; and Seymur Kazimov, Azerbai- jan, enjoy a quick pick-up game of billiards during their July visit to Googleplex.

(LEFT) Richard Gingras, Google’s senior director of news and social products, center, takes questions from 2013 SUSI scholars during a meeting July 18, while SUSI Scholar Egidio Vaz Raposo, Mozambique listens intently.

(Right) SUSI Scholars tweet and text “live” their memorable meeting with Richard Gingras, senior director of news and social products. Vol. V Issue 2 - 2013 Global Spotlight page 5

HIGHLIGHTS: (part 2) Lectures on MEDIA SYSTEMS By Chu Wu and Pamela E. Walck

Diverse nations and complicated political pasts – often involving dictatorships or a foreign nation’s control – leave in their wake equally complicated media landscapes where government officials either dic- tate the news or do so use family members and close friends who act as media owners. During the second half of the Study of the U.S. Institute, the 2013 scholars heard from colleagues crossing the globe – from South America to Europe to Asia – on the media landscapes that make up the following nations: Chile SUSI scholar Fernando Venegas focused on how his homeland has evolved from being governed by a dictator to becoming a democratic society. He also noted that the wealth distribution in Chile is very un- even, and as a result, leads to a concentration of media ownership among the nation’s wealthiest people. Much like its media ownership, Venegas said news content produced by media outlets is not diversified, either. In fact, crime coverage makes up the largest percentage of the nation’s news stories. He argued Highlights continued on Page 6 Antonio Momoc Romania page 6 Institute for International Journalism, E. W. Scripps School of Journalism Vol. V Issue 2 - 2013

continued from Page 5 nalism lacks credibility and professionalism. She said to issue libel writs against small, sundry bloggers. that the way the media portray crimes makes people news in the country’s most popular newspapers gen- And while some educators might soften their message be more afraid of the world they live in. Meanwhile, erally focuses on celebrities and gossip about gov- to journalism students, Wilson said she remains ada- sports and entertainment news round out Chile’s pri- ernment officials. Adding to the country’s credibility mant about the basic tenets of journalism. mary news content topics. woes: journalists often do not verifying facts before “I tell them to be objective. I tell them to go for the “People (are) starting to ask (news companies) for publishing stories. truth. A lot of them can’t deal with it, so they move to things now,” said Venegas, adding that is how social And finally, and perhaps more fatally to news lifestyle pages or feature sections because they can’t movements emerge. With legacy media filled with credibility, she said, is that news on public television handle the censorship,” Wilson said, adding that so crime, sports and entertainment news, Venegas ob- is often peppered with programming that is public re- far, she has not been criticized for her strong, free- served that the Internet has become an alternative lations from the government. What’s worse, she said, press approach to teaching. “If I have to go to jail, I go news source for Chileans. With websites, such as The these pieces do not have obvious labels of “public re- to jail. … I don’t want my kids not to be able to express Clinic and PODEROPEDIA, he said Chileans now lation” that can help distinguished the pieces from themselves. We want change.” Yuriy Zaliznyak have more sources for information. “news.” Mongolia Ukraine Kyrgyzstan That said, Toralieva said this bleak situation is Professor Gunjidmaa Gongor said that despite 166 against public television stations and privately owned According to Reporters Without Borders, Kyr- starting to change. Since 2010, conflicts in the neigh- television stations across the country – and growing – stations, such as Garbage TV, for public attention. gyzstan ranks 106 for press freedom, said Gulnura boring country of Uzbekistan have prompted the Uz- there remains a significant shortage of news workers And when that doesn’t work, station owners create Toralieva, a 2013 SUSI scholar, who also noted that bek newspaper to close and more content is appear- in Mongolia with professional training in journalism. their own political parties and seek election – as was there has been some progress in recent years. That ing in the Kyrgyz language. Access to information and Yet, television stations continue to grow in popularity. the case with Dan Diaconscu the owner of Garbage media ownership remains worrisome for the people. said, one of Kyrgyzstan’s biggest challenges remain In 1988, Mongolian radios, followed by newspa- TV, who created the People’s Party and became lead- The President’s family has been nationalizing every- the lack of news content in local languages: from pers, out-ranked TV stations in terms of popularity er of the fourth-largest political party in the Roma- thing and officials are misusing their rights to bring broadsheet newspapers printed in Russian and TV among the 2.9 million residents of this Asian nation. nian Parliament and who now stands a good chance up legal cases against journalists. There is also a lim- programming in Uzbek. In 2011, Gongor said TV had pushed its way to the top of winning in the upcoming Presidential elections. itation on foreign media. Combined, these problems Toralieva said adding to the difficulty: Kyrgy jour- of the list, followed by friends, Internet and newspa- prevent the dissemination of information to people. Momoc said this media landscape has prompted a pers when it came to where citizens went for news or shift among the public. Malaysia information. “Citizens disappointed by politicians and journal- Unlike Chile, the press in Malaysia is largely the Gongor said “gatekeeper” contracts and a gener- ists are turning to alternative media sites – social me- mouthpiece of its government, according to SUSI al lack of transparency in terms of who owns various dia, blogs and forums – for information,” he said. scholar Sharon Wilson. As a result, the citizens are news outlets continue to plague the media landscape, highly critical of the mainstream press and have In a 2011 survey, Momoc said 81.8 percent of Ro- which was first privatized in the 1990s. Among the manians said they got their news and information turned to online journalism to fill the gaps left by the country’s newspapers, Gongor said the number of legacy press. In the most recent World Press Freedom from television, 7 percent went to the Internet and 6.2 newspaper titles have been decreasing but circulation percent turned to the radio. The expectation is that Index, Wilson said her nation ranked 145 out of 179 “is holding steady.” nations. the Internet numbers will grow in future years. Meanwhile, Gongor said “paid for” news coverage Currently, in a nation of 20 million, Momoc said Fernando Venegas Wilson noted that out of a population of 29 mil- continues to persist among industry practitioners. lion people, some 16.9 million are plugged into the In- 10 million Romanians are online and some 6 million Chile “Journalists’ salaries increase three to four times ternet and another 11.8 million turn to social network were on Facebook in 2012, a significant increase from the regular amount due to paid for coverage,” Gongor sites for sharing information. only 500,000 in 2010. said. “It increases ten times during election years.” “The Internet is where citizens express them- Ukraine Romania selves,” Wilson said, adding that just a few weeks The first daily newspaper in Lviv appeared in the ago the government announced plans to implement After some 50 years under the dark shadow of 16th century, and while the nation’s newspapers and the Internal Security Act, which requires newspa- dictatorship, Antonio Momoc said his nation’s press magazines are privately owned, Ukrainian schol- pers with websites to have a license and renew it each has spent the last decade polarizing itself between ar Yuriy Zaliznyak, said many are secretly owned by year. For citizens, she said, this is viewed as another pro-government and anti-government stances. And members of Parliament. As a result, the newspapers attempt to choke the free flow of information in the despite membership in the European Union, Momoc in Ukraine often weigh heavily in favor of one politi- diverse country. said the nation was motivated more by politics than cal party over another and often lack objectivity and economics when it joined the EU in 2007. Gulnura Toralieva Another recent development that stunts press Today, pay-per-view cable stations compete Kyrgyzstan freedom: Malaysia’s information minister has begun Highlights continued on Page 7 Vol. V Issue 2 - 2013 Global Spotlight page 7

Much like neighboring Zimbabwe, the profes- channels are acting as alternative news sources for sionalism of journalism in Zambia presents many the public. challenges. For instance, the nation’s media are high- While television audiences are growing, the east ly polarized, with privately-owned media totally op- African nation still does not have legal community ra- posing government-owned news outlets. dio stations. Instead, many radio stations work from Similarly, Chibbonta said journalists in Zambia nearby countries via shortwave or medium wave, in- rarely check facts or rely on single sources for sto- cluding Studio 7 of the Voice of America in the U.S. ries. There are few follow-up stories. News coverage Unlike radio, Mpofu said the Internet, and par- is sensationalized. Objectivity is lacking. ticularly the mobile Internet market, has increased Zimbabwe dramatically in the past three years, as it has become Despite the Global Political Agreement, which an alternative for people and activism conducted formally grants the freedom of expression in Zim- through mobile phones. Gunjidmaa Gongor babwe, reality is often much different, according to “People get to say what they want to say,” she said. Sharon Wilson Mongolia SUSI scholar Sibongile Mpofu. But ultimately, it is the difficulty of having access Malaysia The Ministry of Information and Publicity can to information that continues to be a challenge for fire editors working in government-owned media as journalists and freelance writers of the Zimbabwe continued from Page 6 they see fit. And between 2000 and 2010, Mpofu said press. Mpofu said the Public Department decides against them. Under these pressures, he said, the Zimbabwe experienced a period where there were what is public interest and what is not. As a result, substance. press is hesitant to cover certain events. no alternative news resources other than govern- government officials can withhold information if they Zaliznyak said in terms of Ukrainian radio, there “It has to be a big, huge scandal for TV, radio and ment-owned media. Then, in 2010, NewsDay became want. are increasingly more shows, music and advertising newspapers to cover the case,” Zaliznyak said. the first privately owned daily. Governmental control is not the only concern. than ever. At the same time, there is a lack of serious Zambia “If people want to know the truth, they need to Mpofu contends that journalists in her coun- talk radio and Russian language and influences often For a nation that includes seven major dialects buy both public and private newspapers,” said Mpo- try are not committing good journalism—too many overshadow Ukrainian programming in a nation still and 70 other indigenous languages other than En- fu, who added that privately-owned newspapers are stories are filled with inaccuracies or misinterpreta- struggling to regain and maintain its nationality after glish, Zambia is a country that has been peaceful de- not necessarily a balanced source either, since they tions, lack balance and avoid investigative journalis- the fall of the Iron Curtain. spite its many differences—that is until very recently. often lean too much in opposition to the government. tic work. Similarly, television remains heavily influenced “We are people who love peace,” said SUSI schol- At the same time, free-to-air channels on satel- “Journalists fail to distinguish activism and jour- by Russian programming. ar Carole Chibbonta from Zambia. lite broadcasts are becoming increasingly popular, nalism,” she said, adding that certain subjects, such “Ukrainian audiences learn about their history in spite of the $60 monthly subscription fee these Yet, despite much diversity in its populace, the as the military, are completely taboo. through Russian television,” he noted. nation’s press is much more homogenous. She said On a brighter note, Zaliznyak said that while there that when the current president ran for office, he was only one independent television station prior to promised media reform laws. And while efforts have the Orange Revolution in the mid 2004, today some been made, press freedom is still not guaranteed by five TV stations have found their voice and are oper- the law. ating independently. More Ukrainian audiences are “It is the replica of the colonial period,” Chibbon- also finding solutions to political party-influenced ta said, adding that there is a huge infringement on news by going online. Nine major Ukrainian news or- press freedom. ganizations include a strong online presence. According to Chibbonta, there are no laws guar- Despite all these gains, Zaliznyak is quick to note anteeing media access to information. At the same that 269 Ukrainian journalists have had their rights time, the Printed Publications Act of 1947 is still used violated in 2013 – the most since 2006. to restrict online media and the State Security Act of In June 2013, Zaliznyak said 15 reporters were 1969 is what officials use to support government in- kept from fulfilling their journalistic obligations; nine timidation of journalists. reporters were censored; five were beaten or assault- In more recent years, however, Zambia has moved ed; and five were intimidated or threatened. During from “not free” to “partly free” said Chibbonta citing Sibongile Mpofu that same month, one journalist or media outlet was Carole Chibbonta the 2012 figures from Freedom House. Zimbabwe sued and another journalist had cyber crimes filed Zambia page 8 Institute for International Journalism, E. W. Scripps School of Journalism Vol. V Issue 2 - 2013

Your most

“There are many. “I really liked the “It is not just a program. “Google was a won- memorable Among them, perhaps Newsuem. I think It is also about network- derful experience for a visit to Washington that journalism can ing and it’s a platform to me. And also the na- and most particularly bring and find histo- make some networks. tive American history National Geographic ry of any country. I If you have money, it was one aspect I liked because not only do really want to set up is very easy to go any- so much, because very SUSI we learn about how a small, similar muse- where, but it is not very little is known to the they edit National um in our institute… easy to know 16 different outside world about Geographic, but also I have also taken away countries’ people. And native Americans… their business. About so many things from that’s the main attrac- Google has just moment? how ,for 125 years, the SUSI program. tion and the main focal opened my view in they have been thriv- I now have so many point of this program. how it leads the digital ing. … I liked that very more friends, from 16 We can not only meet revolution and how it much.” different countries, 16 these countries’ peo- impacts my world… — Eak Prasad Duwadi different friends.” ple, but also interact we need to know Nepal — Gunjidmaa Gongor and make bonds with about the future and Mongolia them.” how to fit our profes- — Shabnab Azim sions into it. Bangladesh — Sibongile Mpofu Zimbabwe Vol. V Issue 2 - 2013 Global Spotlight page 9

Behind the curtain: SUSI staffers find a typical days

By Kay-Anne Darlington and idealized Hollywood makes the academic from equally interesting places across the Courtyard. The walk to the Courtyard is sessions. Construction on campus makes Pamela E. Walck life appear, it is not uncommon to be globe. How many people get to say that?) about 30 minutes but I have to give myself this no easy feat. It wasn’t like we didn’t get warned. As working on multiple projects, reading But what does a “typical” day for SUSI extra time to make it up that steep hill! I make a quick sweep of the Scripps early as during our application interviews what feels like a ton of books – and still staff look like? How do students do this every day during mailroom to see if any packages have Prof. Mary Rogus and Dr. Yusuf Kalyango occasionally stealing a moment’s reprise Well, first and foremost, there is no the school year?? arrived. It seems as if the scholars’ books were pretty blunt about the demands of to be “normal” on a weekend night by such thing as “typical.” Each day seems to 8:05 a.m. – The first trip to Scripps and electronic equipment are coming in the job. catching up with friends. Or in a more bring a new adventure… Hall is leaving a little late. Hope nobody fast and furiously. Repeatedly, in fact, we were told that daring move, escaping out of town for the 6:30 a.m. -– Hit the snooze button. notices! In my defense, we waited but only I have to collect and catalog them to the six weeks that make up the Study of the weekend. One of us has done this while Just. A. Few. More. Mintues... Zzzzz. a few scholars showed up, so the second make sure that what has arrived is what United States Institute at Ohio University starting a family. What? trip will be a full van. we ordered. I’ve already had to contact would be busy. Real busy. We know busy. It is really morning already? OK, time I guess they hit the snooze button on one seller because some of the items in an It’s just that we didn’t really understand. But SUSI is a whole different kind of to get up and get ready to go pick up the the alarm too! order were missing. Let’s be clear: We are all graduate busy, and yet, it’s fun. A lot of fun. (After scholars. 8:45 a.m. – Drop the second group students. And no matter how romantic or all, we get paid to meet interesting scholars 7:15 a.m. – On my way to University of scholars at Scripps to begin the day’s SUSI staffers continued on Page 10 page 10 Institute for International Journalism, E. W. Scripps School of Journalism Vol. V Issue 2 - 2013 SUSI staffers

continued from Page 9 SUSI makes us look like slackers. 3:01 p.m. – Rush out of office 9 a.m. – Place a call and email to meet with Dr. K and Jatin in transportation services to make order to review Atlanta trip. We changes to our van reservations. briefly discuss cultural stops during 10:32 a.m. – Swing by Scripps the visit. Hall to see if more packages arrived A meeting tomorrow will get for the scholars. I hit the jackpot, scholars acquainted with Atlanta there are three smallish boxes in and it’s cultural significance to the main office and half a dozen U.S. society, from Coca-Cola books in big, tan mailing envelopes headquarters and CNN to the work over in the staff mailroom area. in support of democracy led by I load up my arms and begin the Martin Luther King Jr. and still trek back to Sing Tao office. Must being done by former President remember to confirm restaurant Jimmy Carter. pricing for scholars during final Should be a great trip. night in Atlanta. 3:52 p.m. – In an attempt 12:58 p.m. – I’m engrossed in to return to office to edit copy for my work prepping for the scholars’ weekly newsletter, I pop into SUSI’s Atlanta trip and realize the 1:15 make-shift office in Sing Tao. p.m. International Mass Media (Normally, it is where the Institute session begins soon. for International Journalism is Fernando Venegas will present headquartered). I have a brief on Chile while Gulnura Toralieva discussion with co-workers about offers her perspective on Kyrgystan. possible stories for the second Sad to miss the scholars’ session, electronic newsletter. but I really must get planning for We verbally vow to each other ATL completed. that we will get a head start on it I make a quick call to a fellow this time, but something tells me it SUSI staffer. She agrees to cover is wishful thinking. today’s session if I cover for her 4:30 p.m. – Sounds like tomorrow. plans are being made for another It’s a deal. Walmart trip. Drop the first group 1:45 p.m. – Run over to of scholars back at Courtyard Scripps to print copies of Atlanta appartments and return to to pick trip schedule for Dr. K and Jatin up the second group. Srivastava, the SUSI research Off to ‘Wallie World’ we go. coordinator. Boy, I sure hope nobody wanders I run into another SUSI staffer off this time! looking for Dr. K. They had a 5:47 p.m. – Get scholars back meeting set for 9 a.m., but it’s been to their apartments. Wow. I might delayed. Again. I shrug and wish actually get home a little early her luck. Dr. K’s schedule during tonight. Sweet! Vol. V Issue 2 - 2013 Global Spotlight page 11

SUSI in Atlanta From spreading democracy on U.S. shores and beyond to global branding and worldwide news, the SUSI media and cultural visits from July 24- 27, 2013 included stops at CNN’s world news headquarters, the Jimmy Carter Foundation and Presidential Library, the World of Coca-Cola and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Heritage Center. page 12 Institute for International Journalism, E. W. Scripps School of Journalism Vol. V Issue 2 - 2013

AN EDITORIAL Defining ‘ethnicity’ through the eyes of Western cultural privilege

By Michael Wolven In my work for the Study of the United States Institute (SUSI) program, I’ve been lucky to be a part of interesting conversations with the scholars that have ranged from freedom of the press to coups d’état to the history of comic books. One of the most enlightening of these discussions was about the concept of cultural hege- mony. It began when a U.S. citizen asked the scholars if they had eaten “ethnic food” recently. In the silence that followed, I thought of how someone from Azerbaijan, Ecuador, or India might interpret that question. What might “ethnic” mean to them in this context? Dushbara, guatitas, and navratan kor- Lessons learned from a global family ma may be considered ethnic to U.S. citizens, so wouldn’t apple pie be ethnic to the SUSI schol- By Gulnura Toralieva ship, collaboration, sharing rooms, food, discussions, ars? I questioned if using the word ethnic in this way was exclusionary in that it labels “others” SUSI Scholar, Kyrgyzstan dreams, home and family melancholy? as those who are not of a U.S. ethnicity. We usually say that several weeks is not enough to To explore the subject, I asked some of the scholars what they found to be exotic – a syn- Editor’s note: SUSI Scholar Sulnura Toralieva posted the learn about each other. It is too tiny a period to love onym of ethnic - about the U.S. Each scholar I asked said they found nothing exotic about the following on her blog after an early departure due to illness and miss each other. ... U.S. because they’re very familiar with the country’s politics, popular culture, and cuisine. in her family. We are happy to report her loved one is on the I was blessed and fortunate because I met my new Through the commodification and export of its values and lifestyles, the U.S. is essentially mend, but missed her presence these last two weeks. SUSI family members. Yes, all of them are very smart imposing parts of our culture on the rest of the world in what author Joseph Nye calls “soft Leaving my new family in the U.S. from 15 differ- and intelligent but most important: each one has a big power.” ent countries, I found I haven’t managed to tell them heart and a clean soul. how much I will miss them all or how much I love I learnt to be patient from my friend from Zambia, Though the average U.S. citizen doesn’t directly engage in this imposition, we do benefit them. I was asked to say something before my long to be sincere from my friend from Honduras, from it in that our worldview, through the avenues of soft power, is used to manipulate other trip home, but couldn’t find the words as the feelings to be musical from my Bangladeshi friend, societies to better fit our systems of governance and trade. were so strong and disappointment so painful. I have to be thoughtful from my friend from Ecuador, The rest of the world, in many ways, is expected to accommodate us. We U.S. citizens may never known that in a month you can really make to be responsive and helpful from my friend from take this for granted subconsciously. For example, we call cuisines that are not our own “eth- friends and trust and love people. Chile, nic.” Sitting in the plane, I started to think that we usu- to be discreet and sensible from my friend from For those of us living in the U.S. who value diversity of thought and practice, and who do ally give people our lives and trust them easily. But Zimbabwe, not want to perpetuate this imposition, acknowledging our privilege and accepting the respon- when it comes to real feelings, we always turn on the to be open as my friend from Mozambique, sibility that comes with it is a step toward a more equitable world. logic. to be generous as my friend from Lebanon, Or as Uncle Ben, in the Marvel Comics’ Spiderman, would describe the influence that ac- Why do we sit on planes, easily giving the pilot a to be gentle as my friend from Ukraine, companies privilege to a young Peter Parker: “With great power comes great responsibility.” chance to control our lives. We trust him and never to be trustful as my Mongolian sister, doubt his capability to keep us safe. Why do we easily to be comical as my Nepali friend, trust people at restaurants to giving us good food or to be kind as my friend from Romania, doctors to heal us? to be philosophic like my Indian friend, But why do we doubt people’s capability to love to be delicate as my friend from Malaysia, you and miss you after several weeks of real friend- to be emotional as my friend from Azerbaijan. Vol. V Issue 2 - 2013 Global Spotlight page 15

Life in Athens After long days in the classroom, the hectic pace of travel, or afternoons working with research partners, the 2013 SUSI scholars found a myriad of ways to unwind and exchange cultural experiences. There was something for everyone, from fried catfish and campfires at a rustic retreat to a trip around the world through cuisine and even a night of Bollywood dancing . Vol. V Issue 2 - 2013 Global Spotlight page 13

SUSI and AEJMC: Where research, future merges

By Robert Stewart E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, Director COMMENTARY

Ever since we began hosting the Study of the U.S. Institute for Journalism and is profound. Media Scholars, the way I’ve experi- I can hear it in their voices after enced the annual AEJMC conference has they’ve attended a panel discussion or a changed. paper presentation. No longer is the conference simply I can see it in their eyes, as they re- about academic presentations by our alize what is possible, given all they’ve faculty and graduate students — import- learned about how the academic con- ant as those are. And no longer is it about ference process works. Not to mention meeting potential new faculty members all they’ve learned about doing research — also important, given my role as direc- during their time back in Athens, Ohio. tor. And I can see that they are proud to In the “Age of SUSI,” which for us be- be “Bobcats” when we all gather togeth- gan four years ago, I find the annual AE- er at our reception to socialize with our JMC conference to be much richer. alumni who teach all across the country. The media scholars we’ve been host- The AEJMC conference is a time to ing for several weeks are introduced to learn, but it’s also a time for the scholars the hundreds of scholars who come to- to reflect on their SUSI experience. gether each year to share their research For the umpteenth time, they are at AEJMC. asked to evaluate the program, even They present their own research at meeting with representatives from the the conference, or come back a year or State Department to formally give feed- two after being with us and present pa- back about the program in their final pers co-authored with one of our faculty week. members or graduate students. And the days of SUSI are beginning With our SUSI scholars interact- to draw to a close at AEJMC, in that the ing with us as colleagues, the faculty of conference takes place near the end of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism the six-week experience. Scholars begin seems more expansive, reaching well to prepare themselves emotionally for beyond Scripps Hall and even beyond the conclusion of their stay in the U.S., the borders of Ohio and yes, the United and for their return to their homes and States. jobs. It’s also clear that the impact of the It’s bittersweet, and all wrapped up in AEJMC conference on the SUSI scholars the SUSI-at-AEJMC experience.

SUSI scholars (from left) Anand Pradhan, Sleiman El Bssawmai, Yuriy Zaliznyak, Beatriz LOVO Reichmann and Carole Chibbonta participate in an AEJMC panel on Aug. 8 in Washington D.C. page 14 Institute for International Journalism, E. W. Scripps School of Journalism Vol. V Issue 2 - 2013 SUSI in D.C. The 2013 SUSI program scholars concluded their six-week study in the U.S. by attending AEJMC, one of the largest North American academic conferences for journalism and mass communication instructors and researchers. The scholars spent their final week visiting media and cultural stops including The Newsuem, National Geographic, Voice of America, National Public Radio headquarters, touring the U.S. Capitol and the U.S. Department of State before returning to their respective homelands.

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