In Berlin, Journalists Reflect on Reporting from Ebola's Frontlines

When a deadly virus ravages through villages and across borders, journalists must dive headfirst into its path. The world relies on reporters to reveal the political and cultural truths of these emergencies, often at personal expense. What does it take to report from such regions? What opportunities, challenges, and findings during the Ebola epidemic coverage affected them most?

Join global health journalists Amy Maxmen and Carl Gierstorfer as they reflect on the realities of covering a deadly virus and vulnerable populations.

Maxmen is a journalist who covers disease, science policy and evolution among other topics. Maxmen, who earned a Ph.D. in evolution from Harvard University, also writes about how scientists interact with the world. In her most recent collection of stories reported from Sierra Leone, she covered Ebola for several outlets, including National Geographic, Newsweek, The Economist, Al Jazeera, and Nature. Maxmen reported on the vital role of anthropological and medical research during the Ebola emergency. She wrote about the cultural aspects that fueled the outbreak, and those that diminished it. She also covered the failures and obstacles in international aid, including the lack of pay for health workers on the front lines. (Twitter: @amymaxmen)

Gierstorfer is a journalist and filmmaker with a background in biology. He has produced and directed documentaries for ARTE, ZDF, Smithsonian Channel and the BBC. As a videographer, he has reported from all corners of this world. His most recent Pulitzer Center-supported film "We Want You to Live - Liberia's Fight against Ebola" (co-produced by SWR/ARTE, Al Jazeera, Sales: PBS International) reveals one community's fight for survival against Ebola through the eyes of Liberians battling to bring the outbreak to an end. The film follows four characters over the course of five months in their struggles against the disease. An earlier film, "The Bloody Truth," is a detective-like medical documentary following researchers in their efforts to determine the origins of HIV. The film premiered on ARTE for World AIDS Day 2014. (Twitter: @carlgierstorfer)

This event is free, but please register.

Reporting from the Frontlines: The Battle Against Ebola
Wednesday, October 14
6:30 pm-7:45 pm
BMW Foundation
Reinhardtstraße 58
10117 Berlin
Germany

A reception follows the event.

If you have any questions, please email Global Health Projects Coordinator Emily Baumgaertner at ebaumgaertner[at]pulitzercenter.org