NZZ launches podcast series on migration and human trafficking

The "Neue Zürcher Zeitung" is launching a five-part podcast series on the topic of migration in cooperation with the Brost Foundation. "250 Dollar - Wie ich einen Menschen freikaufe" tells the true story of a man who is captured by Libyan human traffickers on his way to Europe. The first two episodes are now available on nzz.chfree of charge in the NZZ app and all popular podcast apps.

Journalistic journey with moral dilemmas

In "250 Dollar - Wie ich einen Menschen freikaufe", Alex Spoerndli, host of the podcast and author of the documentary film series "NZZ Format", sheds light on the various dimensions of migration: What motivates people to make this dangerous journey? What routes do migrants from Africa take to Europe? How does the network of human traffickers work? And how can ransom money be paid in Libya?

Alex Spoerndli places the phenomenon of migration in a geopolitical context and tells his own story at the same time. While working on a film for "NZZ Format", he meets Christian from Nigeria, who is planning to reach the Mediterranean coast via the Sahara and Libya in order to get to Europe from there. The two remain in contact even after filming - until Spoerndli learns that Christian is being held by human traffickers.

"Suddenly the question arose: Do I pay a ransom for a friend? Am I allowed to do that as a journalist? And what is his life worth to me?" says Spoerndli. "In the podcast, we want to make it possible to experience the moral challenges that migration brings with it and how we deal with them as journalists and as people." In 30- to 40-minute episodes, the NZZ host reconstructs the events - based on exclusive original material such as voice messages from Christian's hostage situation.

Expansion of the podcast offering

The NZZ is further expanding its podcast offering with "250 dollars - How to buy a person's freedom". "There is a great need for a well-founded assessment of global developments," says Sarah Ziegler, Head of Podcast at the NZZ. "With the narrative format, we are reaching a new target group, telling a story full of ethical questions and at the same time remaining true to our analytical view of geopolitical contexts."

The podcast is a cooperation between the NZZ and the Brost Foundation. The Brost Foundation supports the high-quality and independent journalism of the NZZ as part of a three-year project sponsorship. With the joint educational program, it contributes to the NZZ's goal of stimulating a political discourse in Germany that contributes to strengthening democracy. The NZZ is solely responsible for the content concept and implementation of the podcast. The editorial independence of the NZZ is guaranteed at all times.

New episodes are released on Fridays.