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1 The practice
2 Hints for an evaluation
2.1 Strenghts and Critical Points
It is clear that the approach of the GZ seems very unusual and questionable. To follow to some extent the way of the yellow-press can be criticised of course. But the “Integrationhaus” has chosen this way deliberately in order to reach “normal people”. Simplifying the problematic is an important element in its conception. “Otherwise most of the people wouldn’t have a look at the paper at all,” argues Gabi Ecker, who is very convinced that the more intellectual magazines don’t get any attention from the broader public. Reactions of readers reveal the success of this approach. Very often it can be found there are angry or irritate persons amongst them. Probably they would not otherwise get in contact with this topic or if they did it would rather be through the common mainstream media, which as explained above often reflects the issue in an unfavourable light.
Another strength from the point of the organization is the consistency and the easily recognisable appearance of the newspaper. This is said to give the people the feeling that a positive view of refugees and migrants has a firm and regular place in the public sphere.
The main critique results logically from this conception. Mostly the articles are rather superficial. “According to the title it is easy to associate a group of do-gooders with the project,” acknowledged Gabi Ecker. So the appeal often seems to be a little bit platitudinous and without deeper reflection.
In regards to real intercultural practise, the GZ comprises mainly of the views of members of the majority in society, even though they have goodwill and helping intentions. It is also targeted at the majority. Thus the migrants’ perspective and their own voice talking about things, which don’t belong immediately to the asylum or migrant projects, is very rare in the paper. The picture of victims and not of self acting subjects remains.
Moreover the project can be criticised because of the permanent request for donations, which is one of the main elements of every issue. As content plays a secondary role, the paper can be seen to a wide extent as a means to an end.
But this leads to the complementary purpose of the paper, which has to be considered as one part of the whole project “Integrationshaus”. For within the range of the “Integrationshaus” itself, the principle of empowerment and autonomy for refugees and migrants plays an important role. The newspaper just has the function of a fund-raiser in order to enable the actual activities of the “Integrationshaus”. Given the bad situation of official and state support in this area, it seems to be legitimate to use the paper in such a way.
Moreover the idea to oppose the mainstream with its own weapons might be an interesting approach. And it cannot be denied that the GZ has an influence in mainstream society. This is proven by the enormous reactions which follows every issue.
2.2 Lessons Learnt
According to Gabi Ecker, the idea to confront people with the topic of asylum seekers and migrants without being condescending and to set a point in the medial landscape, which speaks to people in the same language of the mainstream, should be adopted in other countries.
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