Obituaries

Werner Dollman
Managing Editor, ZDF

Werner Dollman died suddenly on 18 September at the age of 58. He had been involved with the Rory Peck Trust since it began. We are sorry to have lost such a good friend and supporter, and extend our deepest sympathy to his family and colleagues.

Werner joined ZDF in 1981 after eleven years with the German news agency DPA. During his years at ZDF he edited the news programmes Heute and Heute Journal, and was responsible for series and special programmes on foreign affairs. He also originated the very successful Docu-Soap format, a new form of television documentary in Germany. In 1993 he became Editorial Programme Coordinator for all ZDF's news and current affairs output. His expertise and unpretentious manner were highly valued by all his editorial colleagues. He also represented ZDF within the European Broadcasting Union, where he was held in high regard by other television networks for his journalistic wisdom and gentlemanly charm.

ZDF Editor in Chief, Klaus Bresser paid tribute to Werner's editorial integrity and organisational skills and said the company had lost a highly valued colleague. Werner leaves a wife and one son.

Ramzan Mezhidov
Freelance Cameraman

Ramzan Mezhidov, a 32 year old Chechen freelance who had been working for Centre TV Moscow, was killed on October 29th in Chechnya. The refugee convoy he had been filming was bombed. Mezhidov continued to film. He was shot and died in hospital in Grozny. He leaves a wife and two daughters, aged one and two years.

Olaf Ullmann
Freelance Cameraman

Olaf Ullmann died on 6 August 1999. He contracted yellow fever whilst on a trip to the Ivory Coast, filming a nature documentary. His death followed days of media speculation that he was suffering from the Ebola virus. Ullmann had been a well-known and respected freelance cameraman in East Germany, working for many broadcasters, including MDR and ORB. Ullmann was planning for a more financially stable future. He and his wife, Kordula had bought an old house which they were in the process of renovating at the time of his death. Ullmann left three dependents: his wife, stepson and disabled sister.

How the Rory Peck Trust is helping…

Kordula Ullmann

In order to relieve her immediate financial stress, the Rory Peck Trust has made a grant that will cover her mortgage repayments for the next two years. Freed of this responsibility, Kordula will be able to take a training course so that she can improve her career prospects

The family of Ramzan Mezhidov

The Trust is currently investigating this case.

Issue 4
December 1999

• Letter from Paddington
• The 1999 Rory Peck Awards
• Pictures from the 1999 Rory Peck Awards
• Freelance Realities: Internet Rights
• What will you do Without us?
• Obituaries
• Global Billboard
• Letters

• Issue 9
• Issue 8
• Issue 7
• Issue 6
• Issue 5
• Issue 3
• Issue 2
• Issue 1

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