Anja Kretschmer

Anja Kretschmer is a Lecturer at the Institute of Journalism and Communication Studies, Department of Political and Social Sciences, Freie Universität Berlin. She holds teaching responsibilities with a focus on practical journalism skills and has established herself as both an educator and professional journalist.

• Education: M.A. in German Studies, Philosophy, and Journalism, Freie Universität Berlin (1988)
• Professional Background: Founded Berliner Journalistenbüros (1989), completed editorial traineeship at SFB (1990/91)
• Current Position: Lecturer with permanent teaching tasks at FU Berlin
• Office: Garystr. 55, Room 273, 14195 Berlin
• Consultation Hours: Wednesdays by appointment via email

Her research and professional interests center on journalism practices, media representation of social issues, documentary production, and the intersection of media with social policy. Kretschmer's work particularly examines family dynamics, migration issues, gender representation, and social inequality through documentary filmmaking and journalistic reporting. Her teaching emphasizes the practical application of journalism in contemporary media environments, focusing on television, radio, and digital production techniques.

Her documentary work shows a consistent focus on social issues, with particular attention to family structures, social inequality, and the human impact of policy decisions. Over her career, she has produced numerous award-winning documentaries for major German broadcasters including ARD, ZDF, and rbb, covering topics ranging from patchwork families to elder care in international contexts.

• 1999: 1. Medienpreis der Ideal-Versicherung für die Reportage "Anonym bestatten", SFB
• 2002: Geisendörfer-Preis für die Dokumentation "Lehrer - ungeliebt und ausgelaugt?" SFB
• 2003: Journalistenstipendium der Rias-Kommission, Duke Universität, USA
• 2015: Karl Kübel Medienpreis für die Reportage "Meine, deine, unsere Kinder – Herausforderung Patchwork-Familie", ZDF
• 2018: Medienpreis der Deutschen Kinder- und Jugendhilfe für den Film "Krieg um's Kind - Wenn Eltern Betreuung brauchen", WDR "Menschen hautnah"

As an educator, Kretschmer has taught various iterations of "Methods and Structures of Journalistic Practice" and specialized seminars in television, radio, and podcast production. She is actively involved in research projects related to media representation of migration, gender issues in journalism, and emotional repertoires in media, collaborating with colleagues at the Institute on various research initiatives examining contemporary media landscapes.