Five weeks into the greatest adventure of my life – the World Press Institute Fellowship—I find a rare moment to reflect. As I savor a slow, rainy afternoon in Miami after a hectic week in New York, my thoughts drift to the remarkable individuals who have shaped the journeys of journalists from Bulgaria to this land of cherished free speech.
My heart fills with gratitude when I think of one extraordinary person I’ve met through the fellowship – 82-year-old retired journalist Terry Wolkerstorfer. Those who follow our fellows’ blog might know his impressive background as a Vietnam War soldier and a war correspondent for the Associated Press. What many may not realize is Terry’s pivotal role in enabling Bulgarian journalists to participate in this life-changing program.
In 2011, during a conversation with a friend on the board of the America for Bulgaria Foundation (ABF), Terry recognized the potential for collaboration.
“The objective of ABF was to encourage democratic institutions in Bulgaria and WPI’s mission is to nurture healthy, robust journalism all over the world, and freedom of the press particularly,” Terry explained. “I realized that this could be a great partnership in the future.”
I first met Terry early on during this fellowship. He is a host father to my Brazilian friend Luciana, whose second host family invited us shortly after our arrival in Minnesota to a boat ride on the Lake Minnewashta. While admiring a stunning sunset there, I was called over by a colleague.
“Terry wants to talk to you,” they said.
I sat beside Terry and he greeted me warmly: “I’ve been waiting to talk to you. I have a special connection with Bulgaria.”
Our brief conversation revealed that Terry was the reason a Bulgarian journalist has participated in the fellowship each year since 2012. I left the lake with tears in my eyes, eager to meet him again.
A week later, I visited Terry and his lovely wife, Susan, at their home. Terry recounted how he quickly informed David McDonald, the former executive director of WPI, about his idea.
“I was excited about Terry’s suggestion because we have had several great Bulgarian fellows in the past (before the America for Bulgaria fellowship) but normally wouldn’t be able to dedicate a fellowship for a Bulgarian every year without specific funding support,” recalls David. “The WPI Board agreed with me that it sounded like a great idea, good for both Bulgaria and for WPI.”
In 2012, the first journalist from Bulgaria, Ivan Georgiev from bTV, joined the fellowship, fully funded by the ABF. At that time, Bulgaria ranked a disappointing 81st on the Reporters Without Borders Index. In the years that followed, press freedom in Bulgaria deteriorated further, but Terry remained hopeful.
“I think it’s good that we’ve been able to support journalism in Bulgaria,” Terry said. “This connection has been a source of encouragement for journalists in difficult times.”
David adds: “The Bulgarians have been important contributors to the WPI fellowship program. I think they return to Bulgaria with a much deeper and more nuanced understanding of America and are better able to report and explain events in America to the Bulgarian public. It is my impression that this has led to more effective reporting and the improvement of journalism in general in Bulgaria”.
When I asked why a large country like the U.S. would support free speech in a smaller nation like Bulgaria, Terry responded wisely:
“It’s not just about what is important for America. It’s about what’s important for the world. You are ten people from ten very different countries in all of which journalists have problems of one kind or another. So it’s important to understand what journalists are experiencing in other countries and to feel a kind of solidarity. Freedom of the press is essential to a democratic society, and when freedom of the press is diminished in one place, it’s diminished every place. We’re in all this together”.
Twelve years after Terry’s pivotal involvement, ten Bulgarian journalists continue to fight for freedom of speech in one of the European Union’s poorest and most corrupt countries. In just four weeks, another journalist will join their efforts.
