A trial scheme to bring news journalists from EBU Members' newsrooms to Geneva on six-month placements has been so successful it will be extended for the foreseeable future. 

The scheme embeds senior journalists who use the Eurovision News Exchange daily for their bulletins in the EBU newsroom. The aim is to offer direct input about working practices and other issues so the Exchange can better serve Members' news needs.

Geertje Bal, from the foreign desk at Belgian Member VRT, was the first to be assigned after a selection process following standard EBU recruitment procedure.

"This experience has made clear just how hard Eurovision News Exchange staff work to give Members the material they need," she said.

"It has also shown me the importance of cooperation within the News Exchange, which should not be seen as just another source of news material. The Exchange is enriched by Members' contributions, and it is the Members who benefit most when they contribute."

Head of News Exchanges Sam Dubberley said the arrangement had proven hugely beneficial to both News Exchange staff and Members.

He said: "This has been an invaluable experience that embodies the EBU spirit of pooling knowledge to fortify the EBU news community. We hope that Geertje will take away from this as much as we have learnt from her."

Geertje's assignment will end in late May, and the search for her replacement is underway. Interested parties can still contact Sam Dubberley at [email protected].