The Sylke Tempel Fellowship 2025 focuses on the topic “Limitations of Reporting: Media in Times of War and Polarization”. Together with our partners from the American Jewish Committee (AJC) Berlin, the foreign policy magazine Internationale Politik (IP) and Women in International Security Deutschland e.V. (WIIS.de), we will examine a complex topic that is particularly relevant in light of the ongoing war in the Middle East.
In both traditional and social media, a battle of narratives is taking place over the interpretation of events on the ground. Media coverage of the war and its political and societal implications vividly illustrates the crucial importance of balanced journalism. At the same time, media professionals face enormous challenges when reporting on war, as they must uphold journalistic standards, maintain access to reliable information and protect their personal safety. In addition, the selection and evaluation of topics for reporting is often politicized, raising the question of whether media outlets themselfes become part of the conflict.
The Sylke Tempel Fellowship 2025 is dedicated to examining reporting on the conflict in the Middle East since October 7, 2023, with the goal of analyzing the role of access, interests, and responsibility in media coverage. During the Fellowship Program, our eight Fellows will focus on topics of their choice and write articles that will be published in the December 2025 special issue of International Politics (IP). In addition, the fellows will participate in workshops that explore key aspects of the annual topic and provide opportunities for discussions with international experts. If security conditions permit, we also plan a joint research trip to Israel.