SarahSaeger's Blog

After visiting two television stations, one radio station, and meeting with several German reporters one topic that comes up again and again is the cost each household here must pay for the media.  That's right, each family or single person must pay 17 euros a month even if they don't have a televison.  This money goes towards the public television and radio stations.  As you can imagine, folks at the private stations do not think it's fair.  But besides that issue, it is amazing how alike the media issues are for those working in the industry in the United States or Germany.  In speaking with reporters at a local Bavarian Restaurant in Leipzig last night, I learned their jobs are a lot like mine.  We also had the pleasure of telling one reporter his job in the U.S. would actually be translated to assignment editor, something he found hilarious.  Tonight is Germany versus Turkey in the European Cup Semifinals.  Germany is being picked to win, but it should be interesting to see what happens in the streets either way.