America Abroad Media Journalism Fellowship
The AAM Foreign Journalism Fellowship brings prominent broadcast journalists from the Muslim World to the United States to learn about and report on key foreign and domestic issues, and to educate American journalists, experts, and policy makers about their countries and cultures. While in America, AAM Journalism Fellows learn about U.S. foreign policy, the policymaking process, and U.S. civil society, and receive training on production techniques from experienced broadcast media professionals.
Fellows spend time in Washington and other locations meeting with influential US decision makers and experts, attending relevant events, and participating in panel discussions. Most importantly, they produce a series of television programs on topics important to their audiences at home. America Abroad Media chooses Fellows based on their professional careers, but also based on their knowledge of popular opinion and the driving political forces in their home countries. Fellows have the opportunity to host live town hall programs bringing together audiences in Washington and their home countries, which facilitate dialogue, form relationships and lead to a better understanding between the U.S. and Muslim world. The AAM Journalism Fellowship program fills a critical gap in U.S. exchange programs with the Muslim world.
Meet the AAM Journalism Fellows
Kareem Hamadi, Al Iraqiya
Kareem Hamadi has been a leading anchor and news director for Al-Iraqiya since 2003. He currently hosts the weekly primetime program "The Fourth Estate, where he interviews prominent policy makers and influential figures on issues ranging from democratic reform, elections, security, economic development, and freedom of the press in Iraq. Read more.
Shanti Ruwyastuti, Metro TV
Shanti Ruwyastuti, Deputy Chief Editor of Metro TV, worked with AAM in Washington to produce a one-hour documentary about US-Indonesian relations, which will broadcast in anticipation of President Obama’s visit this summer. Read more.
Rasha Serry, Nile News
Rasha Serry is the senior news and program presenter for Egypt’s Nile News as well as the host of the bi-weekly prime time talk show, “Live from Cairo.” Rasha started her career as a reporter to the English and Arabic desk with Reuters News Agency. Read more.
Sear Zia, Tolo TV
Sear Zia is the primary anchor for the nightly news on Afghanistan's Tolo TV. Sear has worked as a reporter with Tolo since 2006. In an exclusive interview for Tolo TV, Sear spoke with Defense Secretary Robert Gates about the Obama administration's new regional strategy, concerns over Afghan civilian casualties and a new US approach to breaking up the Afghan narcotics trade. Read more.
Zelda Savitri, Metro TV Indonesia
Zelda Savitri is the anchor of the English-language weekday news program "Indonesia This Morning." Her professional career began on a Metro TV show business program in 2003. She is also actively involved in the production of programs, proficient in script-writing and editing, serving as assistant producer of Metro TV's international program "Indonesia Now." Read more.
Muntaha Al-Ramahi, Al Arabiya
Muntaha Al-Ramahi, one of Al-Arabiya's leading anchors and host of the daily, prime time talk show "Panorama" (which has been called one of the most important news programs on Arab television) spent two weeks in Washington with AAM immediately following the historic presidential election, producing a special series of programs on important issues concerning America’s relationship with the Arab World. Read More.
Amer Smadi, Jordan Television
Amer Smadi is one of JTV's leading hosts and news anchors, hosting a weekly prime time talk show on social, political, and cultural issues, and topics particularly relevant to Muslim youth. Amer produced a special series from the US after the presidential elections, looking ahead to US relations with Jordan and the Middle East, and exploring religion, culture, and the Muslim community in America. Read More.
Hina Bayat, Geo TV Pakistan
Hina Bayat, one of Geo TV's leading hosts, spent two weeks with AAM in Washington and New York producing a special series of programs on US-Paksitan relations, religion, arts, and culture within the Pakistani-American community. Geo is the leading independent television station in Pakistan, and is the most watched satellite channel for its news, entertainment, and talk shows. Hina Bayat's show is described as "a talk show with a difference…celebrating life and acknowledging greatness in people who may be celebrities or everyday, ordinary citizens …because they make a difference." Read More.
Mithat Bereket, TRT
Mithat Bereket hosts the bi-weekly news and foreign affairs documentary "PUSULA," which means "compass". Pusula is broadcast on TRT, Turkey's national public broadcasting network. Read More.
Kania Sutisnawinata, Metro TV Indonesia
As AAM's Inaugural Foreign Journalism Fellow, Kania spent 10 days in Washington, DC in late October reporting on US foreign policy towards Indonesia, Muslim life in America, and the perceptions and misperceptions of both Indonesians and Americans. Kania met with leading US policy makers and Muslim scholars to discuss these issues. Read More.
