Sometimes the most valuable lessons in journalism come when you step outside your newsroom

By Shkumbin Osmanaj

When I first arrived at the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC), I didn’t know exactly what to expect. I was eager, curious, and ready to explore how another public broadcaster works - especially in a country so full of history, diversity, and contrasts like Cyprus.

What I found there went far beyond my expectations. My three-week stay, supported by the Goethe-Institut and DW Akademie, became much more than a professional exchange; it was a journey of learning and rediscovery. CyBC opened its doors and its newsroom to me, revealing the rhythm behind editorial meetings, the care with which stories are shaped, and the delicate balance between tradition and innovation that defines public service media.
 

Because CyBC did not yet have a dedicated digital or social media department, I saw an opportunity to share what we’ve been developing at RTK. Together with their editors and journalists, we explored how to transform television content into digital storytelling, creating short video formats, experimenting with new editing styles, and using tools such as Canva, CapCut, Adobe Premiere, and Photoshop. Watching curiosity turning into creativity was truly inspiring, as these methods began to take shape in their daily work. Beyond the technical lessons, Cyprus reminded me that journalism itself is a bridge - not just between cultures, but between understanding and empathy. I observed how CyBC approaches editorial integrity with patience, depth, and a strong commitment to balance. Their example encouraged me to reflect on RTK’s own evolution, as our public broadcaster continues its journey toward a more digital, inclusive, and audience-focused future.

Outside the newsroom, Cyprus became a classroom of its own. Conversations with local journalists, editors, and people from diverse backgrounds reminded me that media is not only about producing content but about listening, understanding, and connecting. Each exchange deepened my awareness of how stories can foster empathy and dialogue across cultures. Professionally, this experience broadened my perspective on how public service media can operate in multicultural societies. It helped me refine my creative and technical skills, gain confidence in international collaboration, and find new motivation to contribute to the modernization of RTK’s digital presence. Personally, it was a journey of rediscovery, of the values that make journalism meaningful and of the quiet power that authentic storytelling holds.

I left Cyprus with new knowledge, friendships, and inspiration. And sure, with the conviction that media, at its best, connects people, cultures, and ideas in ways that words alone often cannot.

Funded by the European Union, the Innovation. Media. Minds Program: Support to Public Service Journalism in the Western Balkans, is managed by the Goethe-Institut on behalf of the European Commission and in collaboration with its implementing partner DW Akademie. The contents of this story are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.