Fischer, Saban Discuss Foreign Policy and Media Management at 2006 Alumni Dinners

By: Tom Albrecht | 06/30/2006

Haim Saban discusses the differences in German and U.S. media companies.

Former German Minister Joschka Fischer

The Burns social season has been in full swing with the annual awards dinner in Berlin on May 5 and the alumni dinner in New York on June 13. With impressive speakers and strong alumni attendance, both events were a great success.

Haim Saban discusses the differences in German and U.S. media companies.

On May 5, alumni and trustees gathered in the Deutsche Bank Atrium to hear Haim Saban, a global media mogul, discuss the differences in running a media company in Germany and the United States. The lively discussion also touched on politics and German foreign policy, among other issues. Saban’s entertainment company is best known for creating the “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,” among many other children’s programs. He was half-owner of Fox Family Worldwide and is chairman of the supervisory board of Sat.1 Media. The 2005 Arthur F. Burns and George F. Kennan awards were also presented that evening. After the official dinner ended, nearly a hundred alumni continued to talk and exchange memories at the Regent bar until the early hours of the morning.

Haim Saban discusses the differences in German and U.S. media companies.

On June 13, approximately 100 alumni, trustees and other guests gathered at the Ritz-Carlton Battery Park in New York City to hear former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer discuss international relations. Fischer’s speech covered a range of policy issues, from U.S. world leadership, to rising energy consumption in China and India, to the distribution of wealth in the world. He highlighted both the challenges and the success of the European Union, stating that “the E.U. is one of those rare win-win situations…We created democracy, stability and a modern society in Europe.” But he felt there must be an “ongoing process of enlargement,” specifically including Turkey. Fischer also emphasized the need for a “stronger U.N. and stronger alliances,” as well as continuing leadership from the United States.

The Burns Fellowship program is grateful to Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Deutsche Bank for sponsoring these annual alumni events.

Latest News

Journalists to Investigate Education, Evictions & More With Support from ICFJ and News Corp

Four early-career journalists supported by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) will report on education, high school sports, eviction trends, and immigration enforcement. This financial support and mentorship are made possible by an ICFJ program supported by News Corp. It is designed to support early-career journalists around the world through training and reporting grants.

Sharon Moshavi on Journalism, Disinformation and Why Facts Still Matter

Sharon Moshavi, the president of the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), recently joined the Ink and Insights podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of journalism and the evolving information ecosystem. The interview, hosted by author and storyteller Sumit Sharma Sameer, touched on the growing role of AI in both enhancing and undermining journalistic work, the importance of audience-centric innovation and why young reporters must build subject-matter and tech fluency to stay resilient in the industry.

ICFJ Knight Fellow Sannuta Raghu Says “Fidelity to Source” is Vital When Using AI

Newsrooms globally have begun exploring ways to convert their journalism into different formats using AI: for example, from text articles to videos, podcasts, infographics and more. As they do so, the core challenge isn’t just accuracy – it’s rigor. Journalists strive to get facts right and attribute them clearly, avoid bias, verify claims, and maintain transparency. When AI is used to convert a work of journalism from one form to another, the same rigor may not carry over.