Amrita Cheema is a distinguished international journalist and former global news anchor. She is a Rhodes Scholar with a doctorate from Oxford University. After a long and successful tenure with Deutsche Welle in Germany, Amrita was appointed DW’s first Bureau Chief in Delhi and set up the organisation’s India operations. She is also well known for her moderations at high profile events including at the World Economic Forum. While she grew up in India, she has lived longer in Germany than any other country. Renowned for her integrity and multicultural outlook, she has interviewed figures such as the Dalai Lama and Sir Edmund Hillary, championed representation, and views discussions like the current “Stadtbild” discourse as divisive and outdated. She offers informed perspectives on Indo-German relations, the evolving challenges facing journalism, and guidance for aspiring journalists on ethics, substance, and finding their own voice.
Dear Amrita, you transitioned from academia into journalism, ultimately becoming a global news anchor across three continents. Looking back, what journalistic ethics or principles guided you most strongly over the past decades, and how have they evolved?
I slipped into journalism by accident. After finishing my doctorate in history at Oxford University, I moved to Germany. It was an exciting time with the fall of the Berlin Wall. I was rivetted by the experience of watching history unfold before my eyes. Especially the impact of the momentous events on people directly affected by the changes. My first television reports were from Berlin (East and West) on German Reunification. I later went on to make a documentary on Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, called “Die Flucht nach vorn – from Unification to Unity”.
Honesty and integrity were the key principles which guided my work from the outset. These values remained constant whether I was working in Bonn, Berlin, Delhi or Sydney.
What impact did academics have on your work?
My academic background profoundly influenced my work in media. I had years of training in fact-based research and analysis became my strength. Exploring issues in-depth, seeing patterns emerge and drawing conclusions, is what I enjoy. Also, interpreting how news/events touch the lives of people, shape their perceptions and inform their choices. People are always at the heart of my stories.
As a “news junkie” I was addicted to the buzz of rolling news – especially “breaking” news. I was aware that my role as an international news anchor came with great responsibility. Apart from accuracy and analysis, it was important for me to offer a plurality of opinions on contentious/controversial issues. I sought to reflect this through the variety of my interviews and the questions I posed during my news programmes.
I believe that the world of media has changed…
Indeed. Today the media is facing multiple challenges. These include the rise of fake news, an ideological backlash against liberal values, the manipulation of narratives and the rise of authoritarian governments which are targeting journalists and undermining independent media. At the same the time, technology is changing rapidly and so is the way people consume news. We clearly need to adapt to these developments but not at the expense of values which underpin journalistic integrity.
This calls for much agility among journalists today and raises questions on how they should navigate these changes. Their choices will define the future of media.
As someone who grew up in India, trained in the UK, and established a career in Germany and Australia, how has your multicultural identity influenced the way you approach stories about migration, belonging, and representation?
Identity as a subject deeply interests me since I transitioned from being primarily an Indian to acquiring layers which gave me a multi-cultural identity. There were racist experiences along the way, but I refused to fall into the trap of seeing myself as a victim.
Each country has its own understanding of identity, sense of belonging, the role of minorities and migration. Germany has changed over the decades from a place where I use to hear “die Bundesrepublik ist kein Einwanderungsland” to one which is actively recruiting overseas professionals to work in the country. We have come a long way since the controversial slogan “Kinder Statt Inder” in 2000! “Multi-Kulti” was once a pejorative term (Schimpfwort). And now there is a big push in many areas for diversity and inclusion, including at Deutsche Welle, Germany’s international broadcaster.
I was fortunate to be in a profession which gave me high visibility and put the spotlight on key issues. Many young colleagues saw me as a “path-breaker” because I was the first television news anchor of Indian origin at Deutsche Welle. Several told me I was the role model who had inspired them. That is when I realized the importance of representation. I also recognized I had a responsibility towards others who felt their aspirations were not being reflected in mainstream media.
How did you do that?
I made every effort to amplify these concerns in our newsroom through the choice of ours stories, the terminology we used to categorize people, calling for more sensitive and inclusive reporting and protecting the rights and dignity of those on whom were reporting. It was thrilling moment for me when Deutsche Welle’s annual Global Media Forum in 2017 was on “Identity and Diversity”. It was a recognition that these concepts were essential for the organization’s relevance to its audiences worldwide.
People self-identify where their sense of belonging lies. My original “Heimat” (homeland) is India but Germany is my “Wahlheimat” (chosen homeland). I grew up in India but I have stayed longer in Germany than India and feel a strong sense to attachment to my adopted country.
I think the situation is more difficult for first generation immigrants who sometimes feel a sense of alienation in the country where they were born and live in. I have moderated several panels on this somewhat complex issue but there are no easy answers.
Migration has become one of the most polarizing issues in many countries, including Germany. I remember a time when there was much praise for Chancellor Angela Merkel’s principled and compassionate stand on refugees and her words “Wir schaffen das” in 2015. There is now a backlash. The recent controversy over “Stadtbild”, reminiscent of an earlier debate over “Leitkultur” 25 years ago, shows there are still unresolved fault lines. Such terminology is unhelpful and out of date. Even worse, it feeds into the far right’s divisive political agenda.
You have covered Germany-India relations extensively. From your vantage point, how do you assess the current bilateral ties – particularly in media, politics, migration – and what narratives tend to be overlooked in mainstream coverage?
For far too long the Germany-India relationship did not fully live up to its potential – even though successive governments talked about the closeness between the two countries. I was twice on trips by the German Chancellor to India when there was much goodwill though not enough to lift the relationship to a level beyond mutual respect and admiration.
But in recent years there is new momentum to transforming the Indo-German partnership which is embedded in policy and institutional frameworks. This was most visible during the G-20 summit hosted by India in 2023 when the German Chancellor and almost a dozen of his high-ranking ministers came to India for bi-lateral talks. A year before that the two countries had signed a landmark Migration and Mobility Agreement.
At times of political and economic uncertainty, countries look for stable allies. India’s demographic dividend has become an opportunity to offset Germany’s demographic deficit. And skill shortages in Germany have become an opportunity for young professionals from India. Both sides are looking for creative and sustainable solutions to make this work.
The geo-political churn in the world has led to a strategic realignment of interests. Despite some political differences, India and Germany have put the focus on a pragmatic and mutually beneficial relationship. Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific has become a priority with defense cooperation high on the agenda. The recent Indo-German naval cooperation is the most recent example of this.
In the media, there are regular exchanges between Indian and German journalists and there is also the Indo-German Media Network which facilitates contacts between the two countries. But the number of German journalists based in India is not high. India still does not feature heavily in mainstream German media. And when it does, it is often to cover disasters, or quirky, clichéd stories which only reinforces stereotypes. There are few heavy investigative reports on the big issues, like democratic freedoms being eroded, independent journalism being undermined, nor on many positive stories of change at the grassroots level. Conversely the Indian media shows more interest in Germany particularly in business, finance and technology.
This is very true. Let me ask you, as a pioneering female journalist of Indian origin on international media stages: what barriers did you face early in your journey? Which moments or decisions were pivotal in your rise?
Being a pioneer can be lonely business!I grew up in an Indian family. My parents gave me the same opportunities as my older brother. They encouraged me to be fearless and independent. I was amongst the first group of women to join a prestigious all-male college at Delhi University and the second group in my college at Oxford University. So, I was used to being in a male dominated environment and able to hold my own. To give you one example, when boys asked me if I wanted equality with men, I would give them cheeky replies like “No way. I do not want to stoop down to your level!” I guess this sense of confidence was a great asset in my professional life and allowed me to take tough decisions with ease.
Let’s talk about gender discrimination in media…
I do not recollect facing any gender discrimination when I joined the media world. In my first experience in journalism at All India Radio’s youth channel, I had a strong woman boss who taught me a lot. I am happy to say throughout my career I have either had competent women bosses or male bosses who did not feel threatened by women.
Many of the girls and women’s groups I have addressed over the years said, for them the key to female empowerment was to have women role models.
At the workplace, I intuitively felt the need to bond with other women colleagues and create a sense of solidarity amongst us. In most newsrooms where I worked, women were in a minority. I started organizing regular Girls Nights Out – with the simple aim of having fun together. Later some of the girls told me how important these outings were for bonding, which enhanced their sense of confidence, especially when they had to deal with bullying at the workplace. This was also the case when sexual harassment became an issue. Women supported their female colleagues when men often closed ranks denying anything was happening.
… and what advice would you give to aspiring journalists?
Be well informed, well qualified, and well prepared for your job, because I do not believe in “Fake it till you make it”. Be a team player, yet always find your own voice, and stay committed to your goals while being aware of your strengths and continuously improving on your weaknesses. Set high standards for yourself, never compromising the quality of your work for short-term gains, and always seek substance rather than show. Finally, choose your employer carefully, making sure that the company’s objectives align with your own journalistic ethics.
Over your career you’ve interviewed leaders, dissidents, and newsmakers. Could you share one or two memorable encounters or anecdotes that really shaped your understanding of journalism’s impact?
Yes, during my career I interviewed many prominent people from different walks of life. I also moderated high-profile debates at the World Economic Forum and other major events.The panels included an interesting mix of people with politicians, policy makers, experts, technocrats and civil society representatives. It was also very rewarding to deepen my knowledge onmajor issues close to my heart, like Food Security, Water Stress, Gender Disparity, Inequality, Environmental Degradation, Trust and so on.
But the interview I found most difficult was with Sir Edmund Hillary – the legendary mountaineer who was the first person to climb Mount Everest along with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953. He was warm, witty and modest. As a mountaineering enthusiast – I was in total awe of him. This made it difficult for me to keep my professional distance, which is essential for a good interview. I faced a similar situation when I met His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.
Looking back, if you could relive certain professional choices, which would you choose to repeat – and which would you change?
I did not plan to be a journalist, yet having become one is not something I regret. Especially since my academic background provided a solid foundation for my media work. I worked at organizations where journalistic values were a priority in a way which resonated with me. Though public broadcasters are facing some criticism these days, my experience was positive. During my career at an international public broadcaster I had the freedom to pursue interesting and relevant stories without political pressure. So, on the whole, I can say I was satisfied with my professional choices, though they may not have been what I had initially planned!
What early decisions would you advise young journalists to emulate or avoid?
I would encourage young journalists to have great clarity about why they want to become journalists. During my career I often came across young people who were dazzled by what they saw as the glamour of being a TV star. I advised them to first focus on becoming journalists and carving out an area of professional expertise. Being on air should be a side product of their journalist work. I explained the reason I could anchor news with skill (especially breaking news) was because I was well informed. I did not want to be an “autocutie” – someone who looked cute and read from an autocue (teleprompter)!! The role of the anchor /journalist is to inform audiences in a relatable way, offering them news which goes beyond the obvious, so that viewers are in a position to make informed decisions.
So, I would suggest to young people to find passion for their work. And never be afraid to change their direction, if they discover they are not happy with the path they have chosen. The key is to find satisfaction and joy in what you are doing.
I like that attitude. Finally, what advice would you offer to journalism students today about maintaining quality, ethics, and personal voice in an age of digital disruption, misinformation, and polarisation?
This is one of the most challenging questions facing young journalists.
But since they are growing up in the midst of these huge technological changes, they are not as afraid or shocked by this digital disruption as people of my generation. Disruption can be very creative because it unleashes new ideas and patterns of thought breaking with conventional thinking. But misinformation is a scourge – and we need to be very vigilant, not just as journalists but also citizens. Fortunately, there are tools which allow us to identify fake news and combat it, but there is still a long way to go. Polarisation is a more difficult issue, especially when state actors promote narratives which are politically and socially divisive. The emphasis on media literacy and fact checking workshops are some of the ways to raise awareness which have now become more important than ever.
Most of my working career was in Germany where I did not feel under pressure due to my chosen profession and the choice of my stories. But it was different when I set up Deutsche Welle’s bureau in Delhi. My team and I did all the stories we thought were important in a fair and balanced manner– and I remained undeterred when I got calls from authorities questioning our output.
Being a journalist is not just a job, it is vocation.
That’s a perfect ending – thank you for being with us and helping to inspire others.
Pictures: (c) Deutsche Welle, World Economic Forum
