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In such a fragile time as the present, celebrating such a long trajectory is a milestone. This octogenarian news company is a palpitating reflection of what Spain has been from the civil war to the present day. Some of the great paradoxes of our history are engraved in its flesh -in its words and images. The main one could be that what today we recognise as a great factory of freedom was, when born, an instrument of control at the service of a dictatorship. EFE was created in the spanish city of Burgos (north of Spain) on the 3rd of January 1939, three months before the end of the civil war, because Francisco Franco's first government had been formed there. Its inspirer was Ramon Serrano Suner, Interior Minister and head of its press and propaganda apparatus. In the report drawn up at the end of 1938 to justify the creation of a news agency, it was stated that it should be "a genuine expression of the Fatherland and an authentic voice of our spiritual Empire, disseminating the reasons for our uprising". Eighty-five years later, EFE has followed the same long trajectory as Spanish society as a whole. The same paradoxical parable. From the most brutal totalitarianism, through the developmentalism of the sixties, which sweetened the last years of Franco's regime, to the young and beleaguered democracy of the late seventies and eighties, now settled in the first quarter of the 21st century. The transition from one time to another is crucial to understand what EFE is today. It was the era of one of its legends: Luis Maria Anson. During those years of great expansion of the agency, the number of delegations in Spain multiplied and its presence in the five continents was consolidated, with Latin America as its main foreign muscle. Of all the steps taken, it is worth looking at the period between 1976 and 1978. This biennium proved to be a constituent period. Also in the journalistic field, since it was in 1976 when, under the impetus of Carlos Mendo, EFE published its first style manual, which would be perfected in 1978 under the direction of the academic Fernando Lazaro Carreter. That manual, the birth brother of the Constitution, was the embryo of the Department of Urgent Spanish. And this, in turn, was the genesis of the FundeuRAE, created during the mandate of Alex Grijelmo and which today maintains the pulse of the informative language in Spanish, under the honorary presidency of Queen Letizia. EFE's style guide has been updated several times since it was first published, thanks to the good and incalculable work of the most senior voices in the newsroom, with Emilio Crespo at the front. Today, on the eighty-fifth anniversary of the creation of the agency, a new cycle begins, one of the central elements of which is precisely the forthcoming distribution of a new manual, directed by veteran EFE journalist Javier Lascurain, which reviews the deontological and journalistic tools of its professionals and, of course, of a language used by a community of nearly six hundred million people around the world. "Language is both a science and an art", wrote Luis Maria Anson in the prologue to the first style guide. EFE has become, with the passing of these first eighty-five years, one of its main arms, the flask of the great laboratory of spoken and written language, the portraitist of its best works. Democracy, freedom of expression and truthful information, among them. Miguel Angel Oliver -------------------------------------------
AMAN PRESS RELEASE Anadolu Ajansi (AA) has informed AMAN Secretary General Mr. George Penintaex that AA freelance cameraman Montaser Al-Sawaf, reporting in Gaza, was killed during Israeli airstrikes. "We are fighting to ensure the safety of our colleagues who are carrying out their duties under extremely difficult conditions in Gaza with great dedication", said AA in a press release. As a matter of principle and in line with previous announcements, the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN) condemns any form of violence and attack against journalists and other media people while doing their job and providing information, pictures and videos from a conflict zone. AMAN expresses heartfelt condolences to the family and colleagues of the AA freelance cameraman and repeats its solidarity with the journalists, photoreporters and tv crews in war-torn areas. ALLIANCE OF MEDITERRANEAN NEWS AGENCIES 12.12.2023 --------------------------------------
AMAN STATEMENT AMAN calls for free coverage and safety of media people in Middle East. The Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN) expresses its sorrow and concern over media reports about tragic incidents against journalists and media people in the war-torn area of Middle East. There have been reports that a Reuters video journalist and Palestinian journalists were killed, journalists from AFP and Al Jazeera were wounded while the house of an Anadolu photojournalist has been bombed and members of his family were killed. AMAN strongly condemns attacks on media people while doing their job in Israel, Gaza and South Lebanon and urgently calls upon all sides involved in this conflict to protect journalists, photoreporters and tv crews and facilitate them in reporting from conflict zones. AMAN joins forces with other news agency alliances and media groups in protecting the free press coverage and the safety of journalists in war-torn areas. ALLIANCE OF MEDITERRANEAN NEWS AGENCIES =========================
Mr. Arif also holds the Presidency of the Atlantic Federation of African Press Agencies (FAAPA), with which AMAN had signed a cooperation agreement. The new MAP Director General is a holder of a diploma of Higher Specialised Studies from the King Fahd Higher School of Translation in Tangier, obtained in 1993. He started his career as a journalist at MAP in 1994, before serving in various posts within the Agency. He held the post of International Editor-in-Chief, before being appointed Head of MAPs office in Paris, then in Washington as Director of the North America pole. Mr Arif was elected in 2018 as Secretary General of the National Press Club (NPC), in Washington D.C., one of the most prestigious press organizations in the world, founded in 1908. He was advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates since 2019. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Dear Rashid, It is with great sorrow that we have received the news about the death of our beloved Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, MAP Director General. All AMAN member-agencies join me in expressing condolences and sympathy for the great loss of a man that devoted his life in serving his country with different posts, MAP and AMAN. We remember his dedication to the principles of our Alliance and his determination, willingness and readiness to help and contribute to the solution of any problems and obstacles prevailed in the smooth operation of AMAN. He took a number of initiatives aiming to further develop and expand AMAN. Khalil Hachimi Idrissi served AMAN as follows:
May rest in peace.
George Penintaex ===================================
Morocco-Media-Death  Rabat,
08/04/2023 (MAP) - The Director General of the Moroccan News Agency
(MAP), Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, died Saturday morning in Rabat, at the
age of 67, following a long illness.The late Khalil Hachimi had been buried Sunday after the prayer of Addohr in the cemetery Achouhada in Rabat. Born on August 14, 1956 in Casablanca, the late Khalil Hachimi was very early involved in developing media and was, in the early eighties, one of the actors of the creation and development of intercultural and community communication in France where he worked in several radio stations. A graduate of the Institute of Geography at the University of Paris I-Pantheon-Sorbonne, he was a columnist, a reporter and then Editor-in-Chief for many years of the weekly newspaper "Maroc Hebdo international" before creating, in 2000, "Aujourd'hui Le Maroc", a generalist French-speaking daily. In 2007, he was President of the Jury of the Grand National Press Prize before being elected, in 2008, President of the FMEJ (Moroccan Federation of Newspaper Publishers), a position to which he was re-elected in 2011. The late Khalil Hachimi Idrissi has to his credit several publications including "Billets Bleus" Moroccan chronicles 1994-2000. In 2011, he was appointed by HM King Mohammed VI, Director General of MAP. During the era Khalil Hachimi, the Moroccan News Agency has experienced a great expansion by becoming a public information pole. HM MAP 081551 GMT April 2023 ===================================
Under strict embargo until 5
April 2023, 11:15 am EDT UNITED NATIONS, 5 April 2023 - Amid growing food and energy crises, an uncertain global economic outlook, and the escalating impacts of climate change, the UN today said that a sustainable industrial transformation is needed to close the widening development gap between countries, meet climate targets and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. (Read the Complete Article)
Financing for Sustainable
Development Report 2023: Financing Sustainable Transformations
=================================== AA - Anadolu correspondent Burak Milli, family pass away after major Trkiye earthquakes Late correspondent covered many stories from Hatay and Syria border Erdinc Aksoy | 09.02.2023
Anadolu Agency's Hatay correspondent Burak Milli, his wife, and five-month-old baby passed away on Thursday in the aftermath of the twin quakes the epicenters of which were southern Kahramanmaras province's Pazarcık and Elbistan districts. Burak Milli, aged 31, his wife Aysen Milli (30), and their daughter Eylul Lina were left under the rubble as a result of the destruction of the apartment they were living in Hatay's Iskenderun district. Search and rescue teams and volunteers reached the lifeless body of the Milli family on the fourth day of the earthquake. The remains of Burak Milli, his wife, and their babies were taken to the hospital morgue. Burak Milli covered many stories in region Milli, who graduated from Hatay Mustafa Kemal University's Iskenderun Vocational School, had closely witnessed the developments on the Syrian border as well as in Hatay. The late journalist, who also has a war correspondent certificate, has written many news stories and taken photos, which also made an impression in the international media. His photo showing a Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicle in front of the full moon during the Turkish military's Olive Branch anti-terror operation in 2018 attracted great attention. * Writing by Emre Basaran ----------------------------------------------
The Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA) organized in Thessaloniki a three-day Conference (20-22/3) at its capacity as the holder of the Presidency of the Association of Balkan News Agencies - Southeastern Europe (ABNA-SE) in the current period. The conference, titled "The role of news information in the new Balkan reality", discussed the geopolitical developments in S.E. Europe and the importance of news media, the path of the Western Balkans to Europe and the interconnection of networks - Bridges of cooperation and growth in the region. Among the esteemed speakers was the European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas. At the initiative of AMNA, news agencies that are members of the ABNA-SE signed a declaration pledging to combat fake news at the end of the conference. It was thus decided by ABNA-SE members that in their fight against fake news they will intensify their cooperation for providing more complete and objective information etc. The three-day proceedings of the ABNA-SE Conference organised by the Athens-Macedonian News Agency concluded with the completion of the ABNA-SE General Assembly. AMNA bilateral agreements On the sidelines of the ABNA-SE general assembly, the Athens-Macedonian News Agency signed bilateral cooperation agreements with the Albanian news agency (ATA) and the Romanian press agency (Agerpress) as well as the Diversity Charter, a European Commission initiative for the promotion of diversity in Greek businesses. The signature of a bilateral agreement between the AMNA and the Moldovan news agency Moldpres, which had also been planned, was ultimately not possible due to a sudden illness of the Moldovan news agency's representative. In February, the AMNA also signed a cooperation agreement with the Serbian news agency Tanjug, in Belgrade. The agreement was signed by the president and general manager of the Athens-Macedonian News Agency Emilios Perdikaris and the editor-in-chief of the Tanjug news agency, Jovana Joksimović. Earlier this month, AMNA also signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Athens Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ACCI) for the promotion of entrepreneurship. In particular, within the framework of the cooperation, AMNA will assume the role of "Media Partner" of the largest chamber of the country and the two bodies, among other things, will cooperate:
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ANSA - ANSA signs partnership deal with Moldovan agency Moldpres
Like the others, the accord with the Chisinau-based agency envisages an exchange of content and forging an enriched offering of international news for clients as well as developing joint commercial offers to boost the communication of institutions and businesses in their respective countries. Italian Ambassador to Chisinau Lorenzo Tomassoni took part in the signing ceremony remotely. "Today's accord helps further consolidate the excellent Italo-Moldovan relations," he said. 6 "Rome is now closer than ever to Chisinau. It is no accident that ANSA is the second EU news agency after Agerpres of Romania to start a structured collaboration with Moldpres," Tomassoni went on, adding "the deal boots the freedom of the press and the fight against fake news, two essential components of the commitment which Moldova, a candidate for EU accession, is deepening with determination and success in order to belong to the free world". Moldocan Ambassador to Rome Anatolie Urecheanu, present in the ANSA office, said "this agreement completes and diversifies the excellent political rapport which already exists between our countries. We are opening a new chapter in sector cooperation, competing and broadening bilateral ties with a new concrete ambit". Urecheanu stressed the importance of this collaboration in view of Moldova's bid to join the EU, "which presupposes that it is working to reach the standards set by the European Union in all sectors". Moldpress Director-General Petru Beregoi, on a videolink from the agency's HQ, thanked the ambassadors as well as ANSA Managing Director Stefano De Alessandri for their receptiveness and opening and observed that Moldpres is guided by the democratic principles and dispositions of the universal code of journalistic ethics, with a rigorous observation of the dispositions. "Today's accord will be a new step towards the cooperation of the Moldpres Agency with similar media institutions of the European Union," he said. De Alessandri also voiced satisfaction with the signing of the accord and the exchange of newswires, saying that the agreement was "the first step towards a wider collaboration also from a commercial standpoint and a technological ambit". (ANSA). ANSA signs partnership deal with Mauritania agency AMI
Like the others, the accord with the Nouakchott-based agency envisages an exchange of content and forging an enriched offering of international news for clients as well as developing joint commercial offers to boost the communication of institutions and businesses in their respective countries. Italian Ambassador to Marocco and Mauritania, attending the signing via videolink, stressed how the agreement is a great step forward between the two countries. "This is a crucial moment in the history of relations between Mauritania and Italy," he said. "Ever since I was installed I have worked to develop ties between our two countries; we consider Mauritania an important partner in the region, also for the fundamental role it plays in the stability of the area, and strong cooperation is necessary between the two press agencies ANSA and AMI, also within the framework of collaboration between Rome and Nouakchott". Mauritanian Ambassador to Italy Zeineb Ely Salem, present at the signing at ANSA HQ in Rome, said "information is vital and the accord signed today boosts relations between Mauritania and Italy. As an embassy we are ready to support this cooperation that we deem decidedly important." AMI Director General Mohamed Fall Oumeir Beye stressed that the accord was the first agreement of its kind between the the Agence Mauritanienne d'Information and ANSA, saying "this will enable both agencies to benefit from mutual experience in their respective working fields; thanks to this accord, both parties will be able to benefit from the information services provided by each partner in their respective countries and in the other geographic zones covered by their journalists". He also said the deal would enhance the communication of businesses and institutions in both countries, and stressed its importance for bilateral cooperation and cooperation "between our country and the ambits in which Italy plays a leading role, such as the European Union, the 5+5 Dialogue, and the Sahel Alliance". ANSA Managing Director Stefano De Alessandri said "I'm happy to sign this accord through which we will start the exchange of news on Italy and Mauritania which will help improve the mutual knowledge of our two countries," and added "I consider this accord an important starting point for substantive collaboration which I hope will soon produce communication projects in support of businesses and institutions in the two countries". (ANSA). -------------------------------------------- APS - International Women's Day: APS honors female workers
ALGIERS - March 8, 2023 - On the occasion of International Women's Day, the Algeria Press Service (APS) news agency held Wednesday a ceremony in honor of the female workers of the various editorial departments. The APS Director General, Samir Gaid chaired this ceremony during which he reiterated his esteem and recognition to the women of APS, highlighting their commitment and dedication in the performance of their professional duty in the best interests of the company and the country. During this ceremony, which was attended by officials of the Participation Committee and the union section of the company, Gaid emphasized the achievements of the agency and its pioneering role in the national media scene and in defending the interests of the country. He reiterated his determination to make more achievements for the benefit of APS workers. Lower Houses Committee on Culture, Communication and Tourism hears DGs of public media institutions
ALGIERS-The Committee on Culture, Communication and Tourism of the People's National Assembly (Lower House) heard Wednesday the Director General of the Public Television Establishment (EPTV), Nadir Boukabes, the Director General of the Algerian Radio, Mohamed Baghali, and the Director General of the Algeria Press Service (APS) agency, Samir Gaid on the two bills relating to the written and online press, and the broadcasting activity, said the assembly in a statement. The session, chaired by the committee Chairman, Mouaz Ahmed, was attended by the Vice-President of the Lower House, Nacer Battiche. It is part of the continuation of hearings of journalists, directors of media institutions, and academics working in the media field. Mouaz stressed the commitment of the members of the committee to "hear all stakeholders, experts, and workers in the information sector for the thorough review and enrichment" of these two bills to develop regulations "in accordance with the Constitution and the commitments of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune." On this occasion, the directors general said they were "willing to address all the concerns" of the members of the committee on the two bills under discussion, "which are eagerly awaited by the corporation to develop laws that lay the foundation for a new media landscape to meet the aspirations of journalists. The Committee members welcomed the series of laws aimed at "regulating the media activity", expressing the wish that "holders of dirty money are excluded from investment in the information sector." The concerns of these members have focused on "improving the quality of all information services, the creation of new media and modern competitive media content to meet the growing needs of society," as well as the need to "preserve public order," including security, health, tranquility, morals, ethics, principles and foundations of Algerian society. They also rose "two concerns about the willingness of channels and media institutions to broadcast programs produced 60% in Algeria and to invest in the field of information, calling for the "reorganization of the field of advertising." Moreover, the speakers made some proposals relating to the expansion and diversification of programs of regional television and radio stations. Algeria Press Service, Congolese Press Agency ink cooperation agreement
ALGIERS - March 12, 2023 - Algeria Press Service (APS) and the Congolese Press Agency (CPA) signed Sunday, in Algiers, a cooperation agreement on the exchange of information and media contents. The agreement was signed by the director general of the APS, Samir Gaid, and his counterpart of the CPA, Bienvenu-Marie Bakumanya, at a ceremony held in the headquarters of APS. 11 The agreement is related to the exchange of information, photos, computer graphics, and other items regarding the audiovisual field. In an address, the director general of the Congolese Press Agency said that it was the first agreement the CPA had signed under her leadership, adding that she had insisted that it must be done with an African country, namely Algeria. "To me, the goal is achieved with regard to the conclusion of an agreement with the Algeria Press Service. We will now have information from Algeria and the region, well-sourced and reliable, which we will publish, to our subscribers, without hesitation, because we trust APS as a source," she stressed. "African press agencies should give voice to Africa. African history must not always be told by others." Prior to the signing ceremony, the two directors-general held discussions on the ways and means to develop cooperation between the APS and the CPA and extend it to other African press agencies, to defend the interests of the continent and fight fake news. ---------------------------------------------- EFE - KING OF SPAIN JOURNALISM AWARDS 2023
The investigative report "Fentanyl: future for drugs, death for humanity", published in the Mexican media N+, won the Narrative Journalism award. "J'accuse! El saqueo de la casa de Rosario", published in Spain's Frontera Digital, won the International Cooperation award. The Spanish state radio and television network RTVE won the Environmental Journalism award for its report "Suelos vivos" (Living Soils), which focused on regenerative agriculture. "El segundo exilio de Sergio Ramirez" (Sergio Ramirez's second exile), an extensive profile of the Nicaraguan writer published by the Mexican newspaper "Milenio" was awarded the prize for Cultural Journalism. In the Photography category, the winner was Colombian Manuel Salvador Saldarriaga with his series on immigrants crossing the jungle to reach Panama entitled "Arrisgar la vida cruzando el Tapon del Darion" (Risking life crossing the Darien Gap), published in El Colombiano of Medellin. Finally, the Colombian investigative journalism digital newspaper Cuestion Poblica was awarded the prize for the most remarkable media in the Spanish-speaking world. (https://agenciaefe.es/mexico-colombia-y-espana-copan-los-premios-rey-de-espana-de-periodismo-2023/) EFE'S SCOOP ON THE DEATH BY POISONING OF THE CHILEAN NOBEL PABLO NERUDA
EFE had access through the poet's family to the report that the experts delivered to the judge about the causes of his death, at the beginning of Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship. Agencies, newspapers, radio and television stations on five continents reported EFE's scoop on the death of one of the great literary figures of the 20th century. (https://agenciaefe.es/gran-impacto-de-la-exclusiva-mundial-de-efe-chile-sobre-la-muerte-de-neruda/) THE PRESIDENT OF EFE HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL NEWS AGENCIES FACT-CHECKING
Canas pointed out to the students of the IIMC the value of news agency journalists to offer "contrasted and verified" information, with the "well told facts" as a basis for forming a "solvent opinion". In this sense, he emphasized the work of EFE's Fact-Checking department in the fight against disinformation and false news. The IIMC, which has an internship agreement with EFE, has 600 postgraduate students spread across campuses in six regions of India. THE PATH OF SPANISH WOMEN TOWARDS EQUALITY EXHIBITED BY EFE IN NEW DELHI
"Almost a century of images from EFE's photographic collection helps us understand how different ideological and social changes have converged into a more just and hopeful reality," said EFE president Gabriela Canas at the inauguration. She also participated in a round table on the evolution of the challenges faced by women in Spain and India. She was joined by renowned Indian women's rights activist Ranajana Kumari and journalist Megha Sharma, from the local news channel News X. (https://agenciaefe.es/imparables/) EFE-PTY COLLABORATION
"We live in a very strong political polarization, social networks immediately report everything without fact-checking, and a voice of greater reflection is needed," said Canas, during the meeting. The PTI director pointed out that verification is an essential activity for agencies in the face of the proliferation of disinformation, which must be countered. Both executives agreed that EFE and PTI, by expanding their current collaboration and through their informative work, can also help to dispel stereotypes about India and Spain. THE EUROPEAN UNION TRAINING PROGRAM FOR YOUNG JOURNALISTS STARTS IN SPAIN WITH EFE
The aim of the course is that the journalists learn how to tell "better" the EU in order to explain to the citizens the functioning of its institutions and how the policies agreed in Brussels affect them. The 25 journalists, selected among 270 applications, will develop the program in newspapers, agencies, television and radio and will also receive two training modules, one at the School of Journalism of EFE and RTVE facilities in Madrid, and another in Brussels. Spain is one of the eight European Union countries where this pilot program, supported by the European Parliament, is being launched. ---------------------------------------------- MAP - MAP Hosts 4th Colloquium of Arab Women Journalists Working in Arab News Agencies
Organized by the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA), this two-day symposium aims to highlight the presence of women in media institutions, especially in decision-making bodies, in addition to sharing experience among women journalists in Arab news agencies. In a message to the participants, FANA Secretary General Farid Ayar expressed his thanks and gratitude to the Kingdom of Morocco for hosting this event, as well as his sincere appreciation to MAP's Director General and the Agency's team for the initiative of hosting this colloquium, which comes four decades after the first edition held in 1981 in Beirut. On the other hand, Ayar stressed that the access of women journalists working in Arab news agencies to decision-making positions "requires enormous efforts to develop the activity of the Arab media and place them at the level of advanced organizations in the world". She also stressed "the need to take the initiative to counter the spread of hate speech and takfirist terrorist thinking that now threatens our Arab societies and advocates the exclusion of women." Ayar affirmed that focusing on human beings, especially Arab media professionals, men and women, expanding their knowledge, providing them with the necessary training and making them benefit from regional and international knowledge, cultures and experiences, will certainly have a positive impact on media institutions and their performance, so that they can adequately fulfill their missions. For his part, MAP Director General Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, in a message read on his behalf by Director of Communication and Cooperation Rachid Tijani, welcomed the participants to this symposium, which MAP is hosting for the first time. "MAP is committed to hosting every year all the sessions programmed by the FANA General Assembly and related to women," declared Hachimi Idrissi, adding that in order to break with the traditional organization that characterized previous symposiums, it was decided "the participation of two male journalists colleagues from the Agency", in consecration of the "fraternity between men and women". The representative of UN Women in Morocco, Leila Rhiwi, welcomed the efforts made by MAP and its commitment to gender equality and the fight against all forms of discrimination, especially through its Joint Committee. In this regard, Rhiwi highlighted the crucial role of women journalists in strengthening women's rights and the principles of gender equality, considering that women journalists report "facts on the ground and people's experiences, which enables them to advocate and mobilize for essential causes." Director of the Department of Information and Institutional Communication of the World Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Samy El Kamhawy, recalled that ICESCO has declared 2021 the Year of Women, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, noting that the Organization implements and supports numerous programs and projects aimed at supporting women in member states. ICESCO's support for women did not stop with the end of the celebration year, but "has continued and will continue in deeds and words, with the increase in the percentage of women in the Organization's leadership to reach 50% of managerial positions in ICESCO's departments, administrations and specialized centers," she said. The program of the symposium, which will be attended by women journalists representing various Arab news agencies, includes two workshops on the first day and two more on the second day, as well as a visit to the exhibition and the International Museum of the Srah of the Prophet and Islamic Civilization at ICESCO headquarters. MAP Ombudsman Portal Launched
Available on the address "lemedialogue.map.ma", this portal is a means to make contact with MAP ombudsman accessible to the greatest number, not only in Morocco but also abroad, where both the network of MAP agents and Moroccans of the world can be found. Available in three languages (Arabic, French and English), the ombudsman's portal provides access to various sections presenting, in particular, the history of the institution of the ombudsman, MAP in dates, the status of the ombudsman, as well as the book "Figures of the Moroccan press". This website also allows to consult the 2020-2022 report of MAP Ombudsman, which was adopted during the Board of Directors meeting, held under the chairmanship of Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, and in the presence of MAP Director General, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi. Presenting his report to the Board, MAP ombudsman Driss Ajbali said that the Agency, in deciding to create the function of ombudsman, has included the latter in a global strategy that it has been conducting in a determined manner for ten years. "The primary motivation of MAP seems to participate in a desire to strengthen its ties with its public," noted Ajbali, who presented, at the same time, the various questions he received in the context of his mission. For Ajbali, the arrival in January 2020 of the ombudsman at MAP is seen as a further step in building the new strategy initiated by the Agency over the past ten years. The renovation and innovation of MAP products were framed by a whole architecture of mechanisms dedicated to the management and rigorous monitoring of projects and management of this enterprise resolutely committed to the adaptation of information to the technological and digital revolution that the world knows, he stressed in his 2020-2022 report. He referred, in this regard, to the governance bodies of MAP, "which ensure, each in its own area, the smooth running of the Agency," citing, in particular in this context, the Board, the Editorial Board, the Joint Management Board and the Strategic Committee of technology monitoring. The Board of Directors of the Moroccan News Agency has approved the action plan and budget for the year 2023, as well as the moral and financial report for the year 2021. "Magical Rabat", New MAP Publication, First in Series of Books on Moroccan Cities
This 180-page book highlights the rich heritage of the Kingdom's capital and invites the reader to a journey through time and space where the history, architecture, cuisine and spirituality of the city are in the spotlight. Published in French and English, "Magical Rabat" sheds light on the potential of Rabat at the tourist, cultural, economic and environmental levels, which, grouped together in a single collection, makes it possible to discover "The City of Light" in all its splendor. Rabat, as described by MAP Director General, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, in the presentation of "Magical Rabat" is "a cultural melting-pot that absorbed various affluents throughout history. In an almost geological process, strata accumulated, solidified, sedimented and gave birth to a unique identity. In this presentation entitled "The Parable of the Storks", Hachimi Idrissi notes that "the dimension of the city as a political capital of the country, the Royal Palace, the Mechouar and the neighboring Touarga quarter, the 'Ahl Fez' mosque with its centuries-old makhzanian character, bestow on the city a sort of patina that gives the whole population a certain urban 'sacrality' rendering profane all the other agglomerations of the country, except, naturally, for the imperial cities of the Cherifian Empire." The city is obviously winning its urban challenge, he said, adding "the cultural field, personally looked after by the Sovereign, is yet to be taken. Rabat will be the cultural capital without ado." "Foreign tourists, especially cultural tourism lovers, flock to Rabat in a growing number. Its like the parable of the storks, wherever there are tourists, there is tolerance, living-together, joy of life and peace," writes Hachimi Idrissi. The series "Magical" of MAP aims to promote the cities of the Kingdom and through them the regions to which they belong, presenting their potential through a rich and varied rubric, which goes from history to technology, through culture, places and monuments, spirituality, sports, nature ... etc.. In addition to rich and well-documented texts, these books will be, like the first issue "Magical Rabat", illustrated with photos. In addition to bookstores, "Les Magiques" are intended to furnish rooms and reception areas of hotels, travel agencies ... etc., a contribution of MAP to the promotion of national tourism. After "Magical Rabat", other books will follow to highlight the assets of cities that have written glorious pages of the history of the Kingdom, such as Fez, Meknes, Casablanca, Tangier, Tetouan, Marrakech, Agadir, Laayoune, Dakhla, Oujda, etc. MAP Journalists Choose 2022 Personalities
These personalities, from various backgrounds, were chosen after an internal survey conducted among some 300 journalists of the Agency, distributed between the Headquarters, the 12 regions of the Kingdom and the international hubs of MAP. This poll is intended to elect the best personality/institution of the year 2022 in six different categories that distinguished itself by a project, an approach or an exceptional achievement during this year. Moroccan producer Nadir Khayat (alias RedOne), who has brought the colors of Morocco to the top of the world music scene, was chosen in the category "Arts and Culture" for his realization of one of the official songs of the World Cup Qatar-2022, after his appointment by FIFA to the post of executive director of entertainment of this body. In the "Sport" category, the national coach Walid Regragui was awarded for his exceptional achievement in getting the Atlas Lions to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, a first in the history of national, Arab and African soccer. In addition to the unprecedented achievement with the Atlas Lions at the World Cup, Walid Regragui won with the WAC the African Champions League in May 2022 and one month after the title of champion of Morocco. In the "Economy and Finance" category, Bank Al Maghrib was chosen for its efforts to make the Moroccan economy more resilient and competitive despite the difficult international situation. In the "Media, Communication, Internet and Social Networks" category, the title of MAP's Personality of the Year went to the Moroccan yachtswoman Ihssane Benalluch, European Union Goodwill Ambassador, who won the "Best Influencer" award in the Arab world. In the category, "Social action, civic initiative and human development", it is the Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech, one of the architects of the exceptional career of the Atlas Lions in Qatar, who was elected personality of the year for his good works for the benefit of poor families and charities. The journalists of MAP have also chosen, in the category "Politics and Governance", Faouzi Lekjaa as personality of the year for his good governance of public finances and Moroccan soccer through the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), as well as for his actions at the head of the budget department at the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Through the Personalities of the Year poll, the Moroccan Press Agency intends to highlight proven talents in fields as varied as the arts, culture, politics, economics-finance, sports, social action and the world of media and communication. March 8: MAP Female Staff Take the Helm of Editorial Services
A laudable intention that has become, over the years, a tradition at MAP which never ceases to value its female capital. Indeed, the Agency tends through this day to pay a tribute to its brave and valiant ladies and to express its deep gratitude and recognition to their daily efforts and their sense of professionalism, insight, self-sacrifice and self-denial. Several topics are thus on the menu of the meeting of the editorial staff. Chaired by the directors of information and media, respectively Lamya Dakka and Fatima Zahra Errajy, the editorial board was composed, on this occasion, of eleven editors. The function of chief editor Nation is entrusted to Meriem Rkiouak, while the positions of international, regional and multilingual editors are assigned to Karima Hajji, Soumia Arkoubi and Safae Aghoutane respectively. Salma Badaoui is in charge of the economics-finance editorial staff, while Rabi Salhane leads the commands of the sports editorial staff. Khadija Sabih is the editor in chief of photo and computer graphics and her colleague Hind Sadki is the head of the publishing department, while Hiba Es-sbih is the editor in chief of MAP-Intelligence. Asmae Houri and Loubna Sbiti are respectively in charge of the Documentation and Digital Production departments. At the level of the Media Department, the chief editor MAP audio (RIM Radio) is entrusted to Jihan Mourchid, while Sanae Benhammou takes control of the chief editor MAP TV (M24). Meryem Oulad Belmoudden occupies, for her part, the position of editor in chief Archives and animation. The strength of this institution lies in the fact that the female editorial staff, alongside their male counterparts, plays an essential role in the development and influence of MAP on both a national and international scale. This day is also an opportunity to shed light on the achievements and expectations of women and testify to the development of female potential within the Agency, while acknowledging their professional capabilities and human qualities. The celebration of March 08 is part of the new vision advocated by MAP based on modernization, strengthening governance and openness, as well as efforts to encourage women to access positions of responsibility and decision both in central services, in its regional and international offices but also at the level of the administration. Convinced of the importance of enshrining the gender approach in its development strategy, MAP currently has 193 conscientious, meticulous and highly creative women in its ranks, i.e. 37.4% of its total workforce, with a 36% access rate to positions of responsibility. For its part, MAP's Parity Committee, concerned about the well-being of its particularly female staff, has launched "SOS coute", a special number dedicated to gathering the views of its staff, women and men, who are going through a difficult period in their professional or personal lives, with the aim of improving the professional environment. In order to keep pace with the constant changes that the world is experiencing, MAP is constantly working to support its female capital in order to strengthen its leadership and devote the culture of parity, through a hiring policy based on equal opportunities between the two sexes and which ensures to offer women journalists a timely career plan with many promising future prospects. BAB magazine dedicates its March issue to "women ambassadors of the Kingdom of Morocco"
This issue, 100% feminine, honors in a special file entitled "His Majesty's ambassadors", the 19 women ambassadors, through portraits and interviews, mainly realized by MAP's correspondents abroad, tracing the brilliant and remarkable career of these exceptional women who carry high the Kingdom's colors and who work tirelessly to preserve the supreme interests of Morocco and to make its image shine internationally. Their significant contribution to the diplomatic scene and their success in a field that was traditionally the prerogative of men, has broken gender stereotypes and contributed to changing mentalities and encouraging more women to embark on responsible careers. Thus, BAB magazine introduces its readers to these senior officials who carry the voice of Moroccan diplomacy to the four corners of the world. "The performance of an ambassador is measured by the achievements he or she makes in favor of the national causes of his or her country, but also by his or her ability to make it known and to highlight its economic and investment potential, as well as the diversity of its culture, its history and its civilization (...)", underlines Nadia Abram, editorialist of this special issue of BAB. She adds that "In all these missions, our ambassadors have succeeded in bringing a feminine touch brimming with creativity and commitment to diplomatic action". "These brilliant women, endowed with an impressive capacity of adaptation with the specificities of the countries of residence, thanks to their professionalism, their know-how and their perfect mastery of languages, key point of the communication, the art of the dialogue and the persuasion, give a radiant image of the Moroccan woman and Morocco, crossroads of civilizations", concludes Nadia Abram, one of the pioneer journalists at the Moroccan News Agency. "BAB" is a monthly generalist magazine, published in Arabic and French and distributed in Morocco and abroad. With an editorial staff present in the four corners of the world and covering the twelve regions of Morocco, BAB offers each month to the fans of the paper press a magazine of 132 pages rich in information, reports and discoveries embracing national and international subjects. Senegalese Press Agency's New Chief Visits MAP to Strengthen Partnership
During this visit, the first abroad of Amadou Sy since his appointment as the new Director General of the APS, explanations were presented on the major developments that the Moroccan news agency has experienced in the last ten years to establish itself as a public pole of multimedia information in the era of new technologies and social networks. Amadou Sy, who led a large delegation from APS, also learned about MAP's various products (photography, computer graphics, video, multilingual publishing, etc.) and its new audiovisual pole, in addition to the use of artificial intelligence to increase its productivity and consolidate its position as the first African news agency. This visit also served to highlight the special partnership between the two media institutions, which dates back to the opening of the first MAP office in Africa in Dakar in 1980, and to underline the willingness of the Moroccan agency to support APS in the projects it has launched to keep pace with the rapid development of the media sector. The new Director General of APS, who visited the various premises, departments and branches of the agency, took this opportunity to express his firm commitment to benefit from the rich experience of MAP, known and recognized for its leadership at regional and continental levels. In a statement to M24, MAP's news channel, he hailed the long-standing friendship between the two agencies, stressing that his visit aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the media field. Recalling the efforts made to revitalize the Senegalese news agency and strengthen its audiovisual and computer graphics capabilities, Amadou Sy expressed his desire to benefit from MAP's experience in order to make the APS a news agency of "great importance."
==================================================== AA - Anadolu correspondent Burak Milli, family pass away after major Trkiye earthquakes Late correspondent covered many stories from Hatay and Syria border Erdinc Aksoy | 09.02.2023
Anadolu Agency's Hatay correspondent Burak Milli, his wife, and five-month-old baby passed away on Thursday in the aftermath of the twin quakes the epicenters of which were southern Kahramanmaras province's Pazarcık and Elbistan districts. Burak Milli, aged 31, his wife Aysen Milli (30), and their daughter Eylul Lina were left under the rubble as a result of the destruction of the apartment they were living in Hatay's Iskenderun district. Search and rescue teams and volunteers reached the lifeless body of the Milli family on the fourth day of the earthquake. The remains of Burak Milli, his wife, and their babies were taken to the hospital morgue. Burak Milli covered many stories in region Milli, who graduated from Hatay Mustafa Kemal University's Iskenderun Vocational School, had closely witnessed the developments on the Syrian border as well as in Hatay. The late journalist, who also has a war correspondent certificate, has written many news stories and taken photos, which also made an impression in the international media. His photo showing a Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicle in front of the full moon during the Turkish military's Olive Branch anti-terror operation in 2018 attracted great attention. * Writing by Emre Basaran ----------------------------------------------
The Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA) organized in Thessaloniki a three-day Conference (20-22/3) at its capacity as the holder of the Presidency of the Association of Balkan News Agencies - Southeastern Europe (ABNA-SE) in the current period. The conference, titled The role of news information in the new Balkan reality, discussed the geopolitical developments in S.E. Europe and the importance of news media, the path of the Western Balkans to Europe and the interconnection of networks - Bridges of cooperation and growth in the region. Among the esteemed speakers was the European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas. At the initiative of AMNA, news agencies that are members of the ABNA-SE signed a declaration pledging to combat fake news at the end of the conference. It was thus decided by ABNA-SE members that in their fight against fake news they will intensify their cooperation for providing more complete and objective information etc. The three-day proceedings of the ABNA-SE Conference organised by the Athens-Macedonian News Agency concluded with the completion of the ABNA-SE General Assembly. AMNA bilateral agreements On the sidelines of the ABNA-SE general assembly, the Athens-Macedonian News Agency signed bilateral cooperation agreements with the Albanian news agency (ATA) and the Romanian press agency (Agerpress) as well as the Diversity Charter, a European Commission initiative for the promotion of diversity in Greek businesses. The signature of a bilateral agreement between the AMNA and the Moldovan news agency Moldpres, which had also been planned, was ultimately not possible due to a sudden illness of the Moldovan news agency's representative. In February, the AMNA also signed a cooperation agreement with the Serbian news agency Tanjug, in Belgrade. The agreement was signed by the president and general manager of the Athens-Macedonian News Agency Emilios Perdikaris and the editor-in-chief of the Tanjug news agency, Jovana Joksimović. Earlier this month, AMNA also signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Athens Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ACCI) for the promotion of entrepreneurship. In particular, within the framework of the cooperation, AMNA will assume the role of "Media Partner" of the largest chamber of the country and the two bodies, among other things, will cooperate: ----------------------------------------------
ANSA - ANSA signs partnership deal with Moldovan agency Moldpres
Like the others, the accord with the Chisinau-based agency envisages an exchange of content and forging an enriched offering of international news for clients as well as developing joint commercial offers to boost the communication of institutions and businesses in their respective countries. Italian Ambassador to Chisinau Lorenzo Tomassoni took part in the signing ceremony remotely. "Today's accord helps further consolidate the excellent Italo-Moldovan relations," he said. 6 "Rome is now closer than ever to Chisinau. It is no accident that ANSA is the second EU news agency after Agerpres of Romania to start a structured collaboration with Moldpres," Tomassoni went on, adding "the deal boots the freedom of the press and the fight against fake news, two essential components of the commitment which Moldova, a candidate for EU accession, is deepening with determination and success in order to belong to the free world". Moldocan Ambassador to Rome Anatolie Urecheanu, present in the ANSA office, said "this agreement completes and diversifies the excellent political rapport which already exists between our countries. We are opening a new chapter in sector cooperation, competing and broadening bilateral ties with a new concrete ambit". Urecheanu stressed the importance of this collaboration in view of Moldova's bid to join the EU, "which presupposes that it is working to reach the standards set by the European Union in all sectors". Moldpress Director-General Petru Beregoi, on a videolink from the agency's HQ, thanked the ambassadors as well as ANSA Managing Director Stefano De Alessandri for their receptiveness and opening and observed that Moldpres is guided by the democratic principles and dispositions of the universal code of journalistic ethics, with a rigorous observation of the dispositions. "Today's accord will be a new step towards the cooperation of the Moldpres Agency with similar media institutions of the European Union," he said. De Alessandri also voiced satisfaction with the signing of the accord and the exchange of newswires, saying that the agreement was "the first step towards a wider collaboration also from a commercial standpoint and a technological ambit". (ANSA).
ANSA signs partnership deal with Mauritania agency AMI
Like the others, the accord with the Nouakchott-based agency envisages an exchange of content and forging an enriched offering of international news for clients as well as developing joint commercial offers to boost the communication of institutions and businesses in their respective countries. Italian Ambassador to Marocco and Mauritania, attending the signing via videolink, stressed how the agreement is a great step forward between the two countries. "This is a crucial moment in the history of relations between Mauritania and Italy," he said.
"Ever since I was installed I have worked to develop ties between our two countries; we consider Mauritania an important partner in the region, also for the fundamental role it plays in the stability of the area, and strong cooperation is necessary between the two press agencies ANSA and AMI, also within the framework of collaboration between Rome and Nouakchott". Mauritanian Ambassador to Italy Zeineb Ely Salem, present at the signing at ANSA HQ in Rome, said "information is vital and the accord signed today boosts relations between Mauritania and Italy. As an embassy we are ready to support this cooperation that we deem decidedly important." AMI Director General Mohamed Fall Oumeir Beye stressed that the accord was the first agreement of its kind between the the Agence Mauritanienne d'Information and ANSA, saying "this will enable both agencies to benefit from mutual experience in their respective working fields; thanks to this accord, both parties will be able to benefit from the information services provided by each partner in their respective countries and in the other geographic zones covered by their journalists". He also said the deal would enhance the communication of businesses and institutions in both countries, and stressed its importance for bilateral cooperation and cooperation "between our country and the ambits in which Italy plays a leading role, such as the European Union, the 5+5 Dialogue, and the Sahel Alliance". ANSA Managing Director Stefano De Alessandri said "I'm happy to sign this accord through which we will start the exchange of news on Italy and Mauritania which will help improve the mutual knowledge of our two countries," and added "I consider this accord an important starting point for substantive collaboration which I hope will soon produce communication projects in support of businesses and institutions in the two countries". (ANSA). -------------------------------------------- APS - International Women's Day: APS honors female workers
ALGIERS - March 8, 2023 - On the occasion of International Women's Day, the Algeria Press Service (APS) news agency held Wednesday a ceremony in honor of the female workers of the various editorial departments. The APS Director General, Samir Gaid chaired this ceremony during which he reiterated his esteem and recognition to the women of APS, highlighting their commitment and dedication in the performance of their professional duty in the best interests of the company and the country. During this ceremony, which was attended by officials of the Participation Committee and the union section of the company, Gaid emphasized the achievements of the agency and its pioneering role in the national media scene and in defending the interests of the country. He reiterated his determination to make more achievements for the benefit of APS workers. Lower Houses Committee on Culture, Communication and Tourism hears DGs of public media institutions
ALGIERS-The Committee on Culture, Communication and Tourism of the People's National Assembly (Lower House) heard Wednesday the Director General of the Public Television Establishment (EPTV), Nadir Boukabes, the Director General of the Algerian Radio, Mohamed Baghali, and the Director General of the Algeria Press Service (APS) agency, Samir Gaid on the two bills relating to the written and online press, and the broadcasting activity, said the assembly in a statement. The session, chaired by the committee Chairman, Mouaz Ahmed, was attended by the Vice-President of the Lower House, Nacer Battiche. It is part of the continuation of hearings of journalists, directors of media institutions, and academics working in the media field. Mouaz stressed the commitment of the members of the committee to "hear all stakeholders, experts, and workers in the information sector for the thorough review and enrichment" of these two bills to develop regulations "in accordance with the Constitution and the commitments of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune." On this occasion, the directors general said they were "willing to address all the concerns" of the members of the committee on the two bills under discussion, "which are eagerly awaited by the corporation to develop laws that lay the foundation for a new media landscape to meet the aspirations of journalists. The Committee members welcomed the series of laws aimed at "regulating the media activity", expressing the wish that "holders of dirty money are excluded from investment in the information sector." The concerns of these members have focused on "improving the quality of all information services, the creation of new media and modern competitive media content to meet the growing needs of society," as well as the need to "preserve public order," including security, health, tranquility, morals, ethics, principles and foundations of Algerian society. They also rose "two concerns about the willingness of channels and media institutions to broadcast programs produced 60% in Algeria and to invest in the field of information, calling for the "reorganization of the field of advertising." Moreover, the speakers made some proposals relating to the expansion and diversification of programs of regional television and radio stations. Algeria Press Service, Congolese Press Agency ink cooperation agreement
ALGIERS - March 12, 2023 - Algeria Press Service (APS) and the Congolese Press Agency (CPA) signed Sunday, in Algiers, a cooperation agreement on the exchange of information and media contents. The agreement was signed by the director general of the APS, Samir Gaid, and his counterpart of the CPA, Bienvenu-Marie Bakumanya, at a ceremony held in the headquarters of APS. 11 The agreement is related to the exchange of information, photos, computer graphics, and other items regarding the audiovisual field. In an address, the director general of the Congolese Press Agency said that it was the first agreement the CPA had signed under her leadership, adding that she had insisted that it must be done with an African country, namely Algeria. "To me, the goal is achieved with regard to the conclusion of an agreement with the Algeria Press Service. We will now have information from Algeria and the region, well-sourced and reliable, which we will publish, to our subscribers, without hesitation, because we trust APS as a source," she stressed. "African press agencies should give voice to Africa. African history must not always be told by others." Prior to the signing ceremony, the two directors-general held discussions on the ways and means to develop cooperation between the APS and the CPA and extend it to other African press agencies, to defend the interests of the continent and fight fake news. ---------------------------------------------- Journalists from Mexico, Colombia and Spain have won the King of Spain Journalism Awards 2023, organized by Agencia EFE and considered the most prestigious in the Hispanic world. An international jury chose the six winners from among 133 entries from 17 countries. The awards, endowed with 10,000 euros, celebrate their 40th anniversary this year and will be given in Madrid by the King of Spain, Felipe VI. The investigative report "Fentanyl: future for drugs, death for humanity", published in the Mexican media N+, won the Narrative Journalism award. "J'accuse! El saqueo de la casa de Rosario", published in Spain's Frontera Digital, won the International Cooperation award. The Spanish state radio and television network RTVE won the Environmental Journalism award for its report "Suelos vivos" (Living Soils), which focused on regenerative agriculture. "El segundo exilio de Sergio Ramrez" (Sergio Ramrez's second exile), an extensive profile of the Nicaraguan writer published by the Mexican newspaper "Milenio" was awarded the prize for Cultural Journalism. In the Photography category, the winner was Colombian Manuel Salvador Saldarriaga with his series on immigrants crossing the jungle to reach Panama entitled "Arrisgar la vida cruzando el Tapn del Darin" (Risking life crossing the Darin Gap), published in El Colombiano of Medelln. Finally, the Colombian investigative journalism digital newspaper Cuestin Pblica was awarded the prize for the most remarkable media in the Spanish-speaking world. (https://agenciaefe.es/mexico-colombia-y-espana-copan-los-premios-rey-de-espana-de-periodismo-2023/) EFE'S SCOOP ON THE DEATH BY POISONING OF THE CHILEAN NOBEL PABLO NERUDA
EFE had access through the poet's family to the report that the experts delivered to the judge about the causes of his death, at the beginning of Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship. Agencies, newspapers, radio and television stations on five continents reported EFE's scoop on the death of one of the great literary figures of the 20th century. (https://agenciaefe.es/gran-impacto-de-la-exclusiva-mundial-de-efe-chile-sobre-la-muerte-de-neruda/) THE PRESIDENT OF EFE HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL NEWS AGENCIES FACT-CHECKING
Canas pointed out to the students of the IIMC the value of news agency journalists to offer "contrasted and verified" information, with the "well told facts" as a basis for forming a "solvent opinion". In this sense, he emphasized the work of EFE's Fact-Checking department in the fight against disinformation and false news. The IIMC, which has an internship agreement with EFE, has 600 postgraduate students spread across campuses in six regions of India. THE PATH OF SPANISH WOMEN TOWARDS EQUALITY EXHIBITED BY EFE IN NEW DELHI
"Almost a century of images from EFE's photographic collection helps us understand how different ideological and social changes have converged into a more just and hopeful reality," said EFE president Gabriela Caas at the inauguration. She also participated in a round table on the evolution of the challenges faced by women in Spain and India. She was joined by renowned Indian women's rights activist Ranajana Kumari and journalist Megha Sharma, from the local news channel News X. (https://agenciaefe.es/imparables/) EFE-PTY COLLABORATION
"We live in a very strong political polarization, social networks immediately report everything without fact-checking, and a voice of greater reflection is needed," said Caas, during the meeting. The PTI director pointed out that verification is an essential activity for agencies in the face of the proliferation of disinformation, which must be countered. Both executives agreed that EFE and PTI, by expanding their current collaboration and through their informative work, can also help to dispel stereotypes about India and Spain. THE EUROPEAN UNION TRAINING PROGRAM FOR YOUNG JOURNALISTS STARTS IN SPAIN WITH EFE
The aim of the course is that the journalists learn how to tell "better" the EU in order to explain to the citizens the functioning of its institutions and how the policies agreed in Brussels affect them. The 25 journalists, selected among 270 applications, will develop the program in newspapers, agencies, television and radio and will also receive two training modules, one at the School of Journalism of EFE and RTVE facilities in Madrid, and another in Brussels. Spain is one of the eight European Union countries where this pilot program, supported by the European Parliament, is being launched. ---------------------------------------------- MAP - MAP Hosts 4 th Colloquium of Arab Women Journalists Working in Arab News Agencies
Organized by the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA), this two-day symposium aims to highlight the presence of women in media institutions, especially in decision-making bodies, in addition to sharing experience among women journalists in Arab news agencies. In a message to the participants, FANA Secretary General Farid Ayar expressed his thanks and gratitude to the Kingdom of Morocco for hosting this event, as well as his sincere appreciation to MAP's Director General and the Agency's team for the initiative of hosting this colloquium, which comes four decades after the first edition held in 1981 in Beirut. On the other hand, Ayar stressed that the access of women journalists working in Arab news agencies to decision-making positions "requires enormous efforts to develop the activity of the Arab media and place them at the level of advanced organizations in the world". She also stressed "the need to take the initiative to counter the spread of hate speech and takfirist terrorist thinking that now threatens our Arab societies and advocates the exclusion of women." Ayar affirmed that focusing on human beings, especially Arab media professionals, men and women, expanding their knowledge, providing them with the necessary training and making them benefit from regional and international knowledge, cultures and experiences, will certainly have a positive impact on media institutions and their performance, so that they can adequately fulfill their missions. For his part, MAP Director General Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, in a message read on his behalf by Director of Communication and Cooperation Rachid Tijani, welcomed the participants to this symposium, which MAP is hosting for the first time. "MAP is committed to hosting every year all the sessions programmed by the FANA General Assembly and related to women," declared Hachimi Idrissi, adding that in order to break with the traditional organization that characterized previous symposiums, it was decided "the participation of two male journalists colleagues from the Agency", in consecration of the "fraternity between men and women". The representative of UN Women in Morocco, Leila Rhiwi, welcomed the efforts made by MAP and its commitment to gender equality and the fight against all forms of discrimination, especially through its Joint Committee. In this regard, Rhiwi highlighted the crucial role of women journalists in strengthening women's rights and the principles of gender equality, considering that women journalists report "facts on the ground and people's experiences, which enables them to advocate and mobilize for essential causes." Director of the Department of Information and Institutional Communication of the World Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Samy El Kamhawy, recalled that ICESCO has declared 2021 the Year of Women, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, noting that the Organization implements and supports numerous programs and projects aimed at supporting women in member states. ICESCO's support for women did not stop with the end of the celebration year, but "has continued and will continue in deeds and words, with the increase in the percentage of women in the Organization's leadership to reach 50% of managerial positions in ICESCO's departments, administrations and specialized centers," she said. The program of the symposium, which will be attended by women journalists representing various Arab news agencies, includes two workshops on the first day and two more on the second day, as well as a visit to the exhibition and the International Museum of the Srah of the Prophet and Islamic Civilization at ICESCO headquarters. MAP Ombudsman Portal Launched
Available on the address "lemedialogue.map.ma", this portal is a means to make contact with MAP ombudsman accessible to the greatest number, not only in Morocco but also abroad, where both the network of MAP agents and Moroccans of the world can be found. Available in three languages (Arabic, French and English), the ombudsman's portal provides access to various sections presenting, in particular, the history of the institution of the ombudsman, MAP in dates, the status of the ombudsman, as well as the book "Figures of the Moroccan press".
This website also allows to consult the 2020-2022 report of MAP Ombudsman, which was adopted during the Board of Directors meeting, held under the chairmanship of Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, and in the presence of MAP Director General, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi. Presenting his report to the Board, MAP ombudsman Driss Ajbali said that the Agency, in deciding to create the function of ombudsman, has included the latter in a global strategy that it has been conducting in a determined manner for ten years. "The primary motivation of MAP seems to participate in a desire to strengthen its ties with its public," noted Ajbali, who presented, at the same time, the various questions he received in the context of his mission. For Ajbali, the arrival in January 2020 of the ombudsman at MAP is seen as a further step in building the new strategy initiated by the Agency over the past ten years. The renovation and innovation of MAP products were framed by a whole architecture of mechanisms dedicated to the management and rigorous monitoring of projects and management of this enterprise resolutely committed to the adaptation of information to the technological and digital revolution that the world knows, he stressed in his 2020-2022 report. He referred, in this regard, to the governance bodies of MAP, "which ensure, each in its own area, the smooth running of the Agency," citing, in particular in this context, the Board, the Editorial Board, the Joint Management Board and the Strategic Committee of technology monitoring. The Board of Directors of the Moroccan News Agency has approved the action plan and budget for the year 2023, as well as the moral and financial report for the year 2021. "Magical Rabat", New MAP Publication, First in Series of Books on Moroccan Cities
This 180-page book highlights the rich heritage of the Kingdom's capital and invites the reader to a journey through time and space where the history, architecture, cuisine and spirituality of the city are in the spotlight. Published in French and English, "Magical Rabat" sheds light on the potential of Rabat at the tourist, cultural, economic and environmental levels, which, grouped together in a single collection, makes it possible to discover "The City of Light" in all its splendor. Rabat, as described by MAP Director General, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, in the presentation of "Magical Rabat" is "a cultural melting-pot that absorbed various affluents throughout history. In an almost geological process, strata accumulated, solidified, sedimented and gave birth to a unique identity. In this presentation entitled "The Parable of the Storks", Hachimi Idrissi notes that "the dimension of the city as a political capital of the country, the Royal Palace, the Mechouar and the neighboring Touarga quarter, the 'Ahl Fez' mosque with its centuries-old makhzanian character, bestow on the city a sort of patina that gives the whole population a certain urban 'sacrality' rendering profane all the other agglomerations of the country, except, naturally, for the imperial cities of the Cherifian Empire." The city is obviously winning its urban challenge, he said, adding "the cultural field, personally looked after by the Sovereign, is yet to be taken. Rabat will be the cultural capital without ado." "Foreign tourists, especially cultural tourism lovers, flock to Rabat in a growing number. Its like the parable of the storks, wherever there are tourists, there is tolerance, living-together, joy of life and peace," writes Hachimi Idrissi. The series "Magical" of MAP aims to promote the cities of the Kingdom and through them the regions to which they belong, presenting their potential through a rich and varied rubric, which goes from history to technology, through culture, places and monuments, spirituality, sports, nature ... etc.. In addition to rich and well-documented texts, these books will be, like the first issue "Magical Rabat", illustrated with photos. In addition to bookstores, "Les Magiques" are intended to furnish rooms and reception areas of hotels, travel agencies ... etc., a contribution of MAP to the promotion of national tourism. After "Magical Rabat", other books will follow to highlight the assets of cities that have written glorious pages of the history of the Kingdom, such as Fez, Meknes, Casablanca, Tangier, Tetouan, Marrakech, Agadir, Laayoune, Dakhla, Oujda, etc. MAP Journalists Choose 2022 Personalities
These personalities, from various backgrounds, were chosen after an internal survey conducted among some 300 journalists of the Agency, distributed between the Headquarters, the 12 regions of the Kingdom and the international hubs of MAP. This poll is intended to elect the best personality/institution of the year 2022 in six different categories that distinguished itself by a project, an approach or an exceptional achievement during this year. Moroccan producer Nadir Khayat (alias RedOne), who has brought the colors of Morocco to the top of the world music scene, was chosen in the category "Arts and Culture" for his realization of one of the official songs of the World Cup Qatar-2022, after his appointment by FIFA to the post of executive director of entertainment of this body. In the "Sport" category, the national coach Walid Regragui was awarded for his exceptional achievement in getting the Atlas Lions to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, a first in the history of national, Arab and African soccer. In addition to the unprecedented achievement with the Atlas Lions at the World Cup, Walid Regragui won with the WAC the African Champions League in May 2022 and one month after the title of champion of Morocco. In the "Economy and Finance" category, Bank Al Maghrib was chosen for its efforts to make the Moroccan economy more resilient and competitive despite the difficult international situation. In the "Media, Communication, Internet and Social Networks" category, the title of MAP's Personality of the Year went to the Moroccan yachtswoman Ihssane Benalluch, European Union Goodwill Ambassador, who won the "Best Influencer" award in the Arab world. In the category, "Social action, civic initiative and human development", it is the Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech, one of the architects of the exceptional career of the Atlas Lions in Qatar, who was elected personality of the year for his good works for the benefit of poor families and charities. The journalists of MAP have also chosen, in the category "Politics and Governance", Faouzi Lekjaa as personality of the year for his good governance of public finances and Moroccan soccer through the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), as well as for his actions at the head of the budget department at the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Through the Personalities of the Year poll, the Moroccan Press Agency intends to highlight proven talents in fields as varied as the arts, culture, politics, economics-finance, sports, social action and the world of media and communication. March 8: MAP Female Staff Take the Helm of Editorial Services
A laudable intention that has become, over the years, a tradition at MAP which never ceases to value its female capital. Indeed, the Agency tends through this day to pay a tribute to its brave and valiant ladies and to express its deep gratitude and recognition to their daily efforts and their sense of professionalism, insight, self-sacrifice and self-denial. Several topics are thus on the menu of the meeting of the editorial staff. Chaired by the directors of information and media, respectively Lamya Dakka and Fatima Zahra Errajy, the editorial board was composed, on this occasion, of eleven editors. The function of chief editor Nation is entrusted to Meriem Rkiouak, while the positions of international, regional and multilingual editors are assigned to Karima Hajji, Soumia Arkoubi and Safae Aghoutane respectively. Salma Badaoui is in charge of the economics-finance editorial staff, while Rabi Salhane leads the commands of the sports editorial staff. Khadija Sabih is the editor in chief of photo and computer graphics and her colleague Hind Sadki is the head of the publishing department, while Hiba Es-sbih is the editor in chief of MAP-Intelligence. Asmae Houri and Loubna Sbiti are respectively in charge of the Documentation and Digital Production departments. At the level of the Media Department, the chief editor MAP audio (RIM Radio) is entrusted to Jihan Mourchid, while Sanae Benhammou takes control of the chief editor MAP TV (M24). Meryem Oulad Belmoudden occupies, for her part, the position of editor in chief Archives and animation. The strength of this institution lies in the fact that the female editorial staff, alongside their male counterparts, plays an essential role in the development and influence of MAP on both a national and international scale. This day is also an opportunity to shed light on the achievements and expectations of women and testify to the development of female potential within the Agency, while acknowledging their professional capabilities and human qualities. The celebration of March 08 is part of the new vision advocated by MAP based on modernization, strengthening governance and openness, as well as efforts to encourage women to access positions of responsibility and decision both in central services, in its regional and international offices but also at the level of the administration. Convinced of the importance of enshrining the gender approach in its development strategy, MAP currently has 193 conscientious, meticulous and highly creative women in its ranks, i.e. 37.4% of its total workforce, with a 36% access rate to positions of responsibility. For its part, MAP's Parity Committee, concerned about the well-being of its particularly female staff, has launched "SOS coute", a special number dedicated to gathering the views of its staff, women and men, who are going through a difficult period in their professional or personal lives, with the aim of improving the professional environment. In order to keep pace with the constant changes that the world is experiencing, MAP is constantly working to support its female capital in order to strengthen its leadership and devote the culture of parity, through a hiring policy based on equal opportunities between the two sexes and which ensures to offer women journalists a timely career plan with many promising future prospects. BAB magazine dedicates its March issue to "women ambassadors of the Kingdom of Morocco"
This issue, 100% feminine, honors in a special file entitled "His Majesty's ambassadors", the 19 women ambassadors, through portraits and interviews, mainly realized by MAP's correspondents abroad, tracing the brilliant and remarkable career of these exceptional women who carry high the Kingdom's colors and who work tirelessly to preserve the supreme interests of Morocco and to make its image shine internationally. Their significant contribution to the diplomatic scene and their success in a field that was traditionally the prerogative of men, has broken gender stereotypes and contributed to changing mentalities and encouraging more women to embark on responsible careers. Thus, BAB magazine introduces its readers to these senior officials who carry the voice of Moroccan diplomacy to the four corners of the world. "The performance of an ambassador is measured by the achievements he or she makes in favor of the national causes of his or her country, but also by his or her ability to make it known and to highlight its economic and investment potential, as well as the diversity of its culture, its history and its civilization (...)", underlines Nadia Abram, editorialist of this special issue of BAB. She adds that "In all these missions, our ambassadors have succeeded in bringing a feminine touch brimming with creativity and commitment to diplomatic action". "These brilliant women, endowed with an impressive capacity of adaptation with the specificities of the countries of residence, thanks to their professionalism, their know-how and their perfect mastery of languages, key point of the communication, the art of the dialogue and the persuasion, give a radiant image of the Moroccan woman and Morocco, crossroads of civilizations", concludes Nadia Abram, one of the pioneer journalists at the Moroccan News Agency. "BAB" is a monthly generalist magazine, published in Arabic and French and distributed in Morocco and abroad. With an editorial staff present in the four corners of the world and covering the twelve regions of Morocco, BAB offers each month to the fans of the paper press a magazine of 132 pages rich in information, reports and discoveries embracing national and international subjects. Senegalese Press Agency's New Chief Visits MAP to Strengthen Partnership
During this visit, the first abroad of Amadou Sy since his appointment as the new Director General of the APS, explanations were presented on the major developments that the Moroccan news agency has experienced in the last ten years to establish itself as a public pole of multimedia information in the era of new technologies and social networks. Amadou Sy, who led a large delegation from APS, also learned about MAP's various products (photography, computer graphics, video, multilingual publishing, etc.) and its new audiovisual pole, in addition to the use of artificial intelligence to increase its productivity and consolidate its position as the first African news agency. This visit also served to highlight the special partnership between the two media institutions, which dates back to the opening of the first MAP office in Africa in Dakar in 1980, and to underline the willingness of the Moroccan agency to support APS in the projects it has launched to keep pace with the rapid development of the media sector. The new Director General of APS, who visited the various premises, departments and branches of the agency, took this opportunity to express his firm commitment to benefit from the rich experience of MAP, known and recognized for its leadership at regional and continental levels. In a statement to M24, MAP's news channel, he hailed the long-standing friendship between the two agencies, stressing that his visit aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the media field. Recalling the efforts made to revitalize the Senegalese news agency and strengthen its audiovisual and computer graphics capabilities, Amadou Sy expressed his desire to benefit from MAP's experience in order to make the APS a news agency of "great importance."
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AA - Anadolu Agency photojournalists win international photo award Photojournalists Alejandro Martinez Velez and Omar Marques receive ND Awards Tugba Altun and Sumeyye Dilara Dincer | 21.11.2022
Two photojournalists from Trkiye's leading news provider Anadolu Agency on Monday were recognized for their work at the ND Awards, a prestigious international photography contest. Alejandro Martinez Velez was awarded the Photographer of the Year by the ND Awards for his photography series, Desolation, which include images captured during the Russia-Ukraine War. The images show the houses destroyed by the bombardment, the people who lost their lives due to the war, and the people who lost their loved ones.
Velez, who lives in Madrid, focuses on social crises, human rights and political issues in his work. Omar Marques was awarded the Honorable Mention in the category of "editorial environment" by the ND Awards for his photograph "The worst drought in Portugal in the last 100 years."
The photograph, which was taken on Aug. 8, shows how the village of Vilarinho da Furna in Campo do Geres city in Portugal, which was flooded 50 years ago due to a dam project, has resurfaced due to climate change and increasing drought. Portuguese photojournalist Marques, who lives in the Krakow city in Poland, focuses on Central Europe, Eastern Europe and the Balkans in his work. * Writing by Zehra Nur Duz. Anadolu Agency trains over 2,400 journalists in News Academy last year News Academy holds 41 training programs, with almost 800 course hours Gozde Bayar | 09.01.2023
Anadolu Agency's News Academy trained 2,439 journalists from different countries last year. Aiming to share the agency's more than a decade of journalistic experience with media representatives from different continents, the News Academy conducted 41 training programs in 2022. The News Academy, which added online training programs to its curriculum for the first time in 2020 due to the outbreak of COVID -19, organized both online and classroom training in 2022 and held nearly 800 course hours. In addition to Turkish and English, Arabic and Russian were added to the News Academy curriculum. The News Academy also incorporated new topics such as live broadcasts and news announcements, reporting in crisis areas, cybersecurity and drone training. A total of 71 media representatives attended the war journalism training organized in cooperation with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and the Police Academy. The training is aimed at reporters who are deployed in war, disaster and emergency situations. The News Academy has also expanded its cooperation with various institutions, including the Turkish Communications Directorate, TIKA, the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), and the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Anadolu Agency's experienced reporters gave lectures in areas such as internet journalism, diplomatic reporting, energy journalism, interview techniques, social media applications, news and infographic relations, and image and photo shooting. The News Academy organized 10 different training programs for international media representatives, including 50 participants from Africa, 24 from Asia Pacific, 14 from the US-Europe, 30 from Central Asia-Russia, and 24 participants from the Middle East. It provided training to a total of 142 people from Algeria, Bangladesh, Georgia, Egypt, Iraq, Latvia, Kenya, Ukraine, Pakistan, Zambia and other countries. *Written by Gozde Bayar
Istanbul Photo Awards announces jury for 2023 contest Getty Images chief sports photojournalist Cameron Spencer 'excited' to see depth of contestants' works Merve Berker | 24.12.2022
The jury for the Istanbul Photo Awards 2023, organized this year for the ninth time by Anadolu Agency, Trkiye's premier news source, has been announced. Photojournalist Yuri Kozyrev from NOOR Agency, photojournalist Goran Tomasevic from The Globe and Mail, visual storyteller Marion Mertens, visual media consultant Michel Scotto, chief sports photojournalist Cameron Spencer from Getty Images, photojournalist Ahmet Sel and Firat Yurdakul, the editor-in-chief of Anadolu Agency's Visual News Department, are all among the jury members of the prestigious international photo contest. National Geographic photographer and filmmaker Ami Vitale, who has worked in more than 100 countries, and photojournalist Carol Guzy, who has over 40 years of experience in the field of photography, rejoined the jury this year after their important role in last year's contest as well. Speaking to Anadolu Agency about the contest, seasoned jury member Cameron Spencer said 2022 had been a year full of significant events, including "major international conflicts, borders reopening, a continued focus on climate change and a busy calendar of international sporting events." He expressed how "excited" he felt about seeing "the depth and skills of diverse photojournalists from around the world visually documenting the year with powerful photography" as well as having a seat among the other jury members. The jury of the contest, which attracts hundreds of entries from many staff photographers along with a sizeable number of freelance journalists worldwide annually, will meet online in March. Information on the jury members, all of whom are prestigious members of the world of photography, can be accessed at istanbulphotoawards.com/Jury/. Deadline for entries Jan. 15 Participants can apply with photographs related to the year 2022 in ten different categories: Single News, Story News, Single Sports, Story Sports, Single Nature and Environment, Story Daily Life, and Story Portrait, along with the newly added Story Nature and Environment, Single Portrait and Single Daily Life. There are three awards in every category and the total amount of the prize is $58,000. Participants can apply in all categories, with every photographer eligible to send four different pictures in single categories and two different series in the story categories. Terms and conditions for applications can be found on the contest website. The winners will be selected through a platform specially prepared for the contest by Anadolu Agency's dedicated tech team. Applications are open for professional photographers until Jan. 15, via istanbulphotoawards.com. 9 Anadolu Agency panel marks Womens Rights Day Womens Rights Day in Trkiye celebrates adoption of law granting Turkish women right to vote, be elected in 1934 under leadershipof Mustafa Kemal Atatrk Busra Nur Cakmak | 05.12.2022
ANKARA Anadolu Agency on Monday hosted a panel on being a woman in the media in an event to mark Womens Rights Day in Trkiye. Speaking at the panel, Serdar Karagoz, Anadolu Agencys chairman of the board and director general, said that when women in the Republic of Trkiye were given the right to vote under the leadership of its founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, 88 years ago, women in many Western countries were deprived of the same rights. Karagoz noted that Anadolu Agency journalist Esma Nayman was among the 17 women elected as lawmakers in Trkiyes 1935 general elections, adding that one of the agencys founders, Halide Edip Adivar, was also a woman. "Halide Edip also gave the name Anadolu to our agency during the War of Independence," said Karagoz. He underlined that Anadolu Agency had more women during his tenure, while work on increasing the number of women in management positions also continues. Karagoz vowed to support women in the media with "our solution-oriented journalism approach that takes action against injustice and discrimination." At the beginning of the program, Anadolu Agencys Discrimination Line was introduced to the participants. Trkiye named Dec. 5 Womens Rights Day to celebrate the adoption of a law granting Turkish women the right to vote and be elected in 1934.
Anadolu Agencys News Academy holds forum for international journalists Zehra Nur Duz | 27.10.2022
Anadolu Agencys News Academy on Thursday organized a forum for international journalists at its headquarters in Ankara, the Turkish capital. The War Journalism and Reporting in Crisis Zones forum was held with support of the Turkish Presidency's Communications Directorate
Nearly one-third of the participants are foreign journalists, Karagoz said, adding that this demonstrates the uniqueness of the training program provided by Anadolu Agency.
Over the last decade, said Karagoz, 22 such training opportunities have been offered by Anadolu Agency with the support of leading Turkish institutions such as the Security General Directorate, Turkish Armed Forces, Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), and Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). "We provided both practical and theoretical courses during war journalism training, from journalism in emergency situations to personal security, from chemical and biological attacks to media management," Karagoz noted. Underlining that war correspondents should be able to withstand harsh conditions on the ground, Karagoz said: "With this training, we prepare reporters for all the challenges they may face on the battlefield."
Unparalleled forum with seasoned hands A total of 15 international journalists who were trained earlier by the agency from Georgia, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Albania, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Nigeria, Algeria, Chad, Kenya, Sarajevo, and Kyrgyzstan took part in the forum. The forum aims to boost the interest of the international media in Trkiye and to help promote the country by providing interaction between foreign and Turkish war correspondents. During the forum, war correspondents shared their experience in the field, and exchanged ideas on the difficulties of the profession, the dangers they faced, and new technologies as well as rules that need updating. A range of issues was discussed at the forum, including sessions on Changing Conflict Conditions and War Correspondence, War Correspondents in Trkiye, and Global Communications in Wartime. Speakers with significant success in war journalism stressed the importance of the war journalism training offered by Anadolu Agency. Senior journalist Coskun Aral said that during his professional life he had reported from various war zones. He said he had his first foreign war correspondence experience in Iraq during the 1980s, reporting on the Iraq-Iran war. Praising Anadolu Agencys war journalism training, Aral said: "If I had gotten such training, I would have been able to go to the war zones better prepared and equipped." Ukrainian journalist Anastasia Fedchenko, for her part, touched on the war in her country, saying: "Russia is bombing electrical systems and critical infrastructure in Ukraine." Underlining her deep concern about recent developments, Fedchenko said it is very difficult for a journalist to describe the war in her country. "Ukrainian journalists are not only reporters but also civilians. I lost many people I know in this war," she said. Telling how she had recently lost a friend, Fedchenko fought to hold back tears. War journalism training, a discipline available from only a few institutions in the world, has been offered by Trkiye since 2012. --------------------------- ANSA signs new partnership deal with Serbian agency Tanjug Also important for bilateral ties says ambassador Luca Gori
(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 21 - ANSA has signed a renewed partnership deal with Serbian news agency Tanjug as it expands its international collaboration network after similar deals with Dutch agency ANP, India's PTI, Argentina's TELAM, Uruguay's Uypress and Filipino press agency PNA. Like the others, the accord with the Belgrade-based agency envisages an exchange of content and forging an enriched offering of international news for clients as well as developing joint commercial offers to boost the communication of institutions and businesses in their respective countries. Italian Ambassador to Serbia Luca Gori, present at the ceremony in Belgrade, said "the confirmation of the historic collaboration between ANSA and Tanjug is important also for the bilateral relations between Rome and Belgrade. All the more so in view of the next few months in which, at the behest of (Foreign) Minister (Antonio) Tajani, we foresee holding many events of political dialogue and economic cooperation between Italy and Serbia. These are appointments whose media coverage will be able to enjoy the effects of this accord also". Tanjug Director General Manja Grcic said "this is a very important accord for our press agency. Cooperation between the two agencies already existed before, but this is the first time we have met, since Tačno Company acquired the rights to use Tanjug's brands. This is a very important collaboration for us, ANSA is the biggest Italian press agency, it has over 500 staff and is the oldest in Italy, and we are very happy that all the major global agencies want to work with us. We will exchange information and content and today we are discussing for the first time to discover what there is to be 14 done and what to work on; I think that the exchange of know-how and new technologies is very important, since it is fundamental that Tanjug should continue its development and its growth". ANSA Managing Director Stefano De Alessandri voiced satisfaction with this major new collaboration deal with a historic partner: "This new accord constitutes a confirmation and a broadening of the great work that we have already been doing with Tanjug for some time within the framework of the principal European news agency association, of the Mediterranean area, of the Balkans and in the European Newsroom. As well as widening the availability of news and mutual knowledge between Serbia and Italy, this new accord also constitutes an opportunity for the exchange of technological best practices, and a further opportunity to develop projects supporting the communications of the two countries' institutions and businesses". (ANSA). ANSA signs new partnership deal with Filipino agency PNA Italy's top agency boosts international news offering further
(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 20 - ANSA has signed a new partnership deal with Filipino news agency PNA as it expands its international collaboration network after similar deals with Dutch agency ANP, India's PTI, Argentina's TELAM and Uruguay's Uypress. Like the others, the accord with the Philippines agency envisages an exchange of content and forging an enriched offering of international news for clients as well as developing joint commercial offers to boost the communication of institutions and businesses in their respective countries. Italy's Ambassador to Manila Mauro Clemente said "I hail the signing of the accord between ANSA and the Filipino agency PNA, and I am certain that it will help further strengthen, in such an important sector as that of the media, the ties between the two countries coinciding this year with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations. "I express my congratulations to ANSA and warm wishes for a fruitful collaboration with PNA for many years to come." PNA Director Robert Burgos said "this accord boosts PNA's relations abroad and brings the Philippines closer to another part of the world where many Filipinos work. This is an important development as far as PNA's relations with foreign news agencies are concerned." PNA's Executive Director Demetrio Pisco underscored that the agcny "has 80 offices all over the Philippines and supplies news to national newspapers and radio stations as well as Filipino-language in the USA, in New York and Los Angeles", and voiced the wish that "the signing of this accord will also boost the flow of news about the Philippines abroad, and that this may attract Italian firms to turn to Manila for business opportunities." ANSA Managing Director Stefano De Alessandri also expressed satisfaction with the accord stressing the importance of "exchanging news wires with PNA and the possibility of having a broader vision of what is happening in the two countries. "The second step of the accord," De Alessandri went on, "concerns the possibility of developing commercial relations with the Philippines: that means that Italian clients, public and private businesses, which are interested in being more present in the Philippines, and vice versa, will be part of this accord". (ANSA). ANSA seals coop deal with Uruguayan news agency Uypress Envoy Iannuzzi, MD De Alessandri, Director Valenti hail accord
(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 5 - ANSA at the weekend sealed a cooperation deal with Uruguayan news agency Uypress. The collaboration accord, the latest in a string of such deals worldwide, was signed in Montevideo in the presence of Italian Ambassador Giovanni Battista Iannuzzi. The accord envisages an exchange of content and forging an enriched offering of international news for clients as well as developing joint commercial offers to boost the communication of institutions and businesses in their respective countries. It follows similar deals with Dutch agency ANP, India's PTI, Argentina's TELAM and other news agencies. Ambassador Iannuzzi said: "I'm happy that the collaborations in the media field between Italy and Uruguay have been boosted and they can therefore promote a greater mutual knowledge and a projection of Italy into a very important country for us." ANSA Managing Director Stefano De Alessandri also voiced satisfaction with the deal saying "The accord we have sealed marks another important partnership on our path of growth on the international market, and after that with TELAM it is a second step towards broadening ANSA's already important presence in Latin America, an area that hwas always been strategic for us". Uypress Director Esteban Valenti said "ANSA is a first-class agency. We studied the content of the Italian and Spanish news wires for a long time, observing their excellence...in Uruguay, news on Italy is among the few topics of an international nature that is read". photo: De Alessandri (ANSA). ---------------------------
APS - APS, Cuban agency Prensa Latina sign cooperation agreement Thursday, 19 January 2023 17
APS - ALGIERS- Algeria Press Service (APS) and its Cuban counterpart Prensa Latina news agency signed an agreement to enhance bilateral cooperation on information on Thursday, in Algiers. The two agencies, represented respectively by the director general of APS, Samir Gaid, and the chairman of Prensa Latina, Luis Enrique Gonzalez Acosta, agreed on boosting bilateral cooperation on information, mainly through the mutual use of multimedia content. Under the agreement, the two agencies provide each other access to their respective news content and offer each other the right to use multimedia content (photos, videos, infographics), and launch joint projects. The director general of APS stressed the importance of the agreement that shows the determination of both sides to step up their cooperation, in the historical and special relations between the two countries. Tackling the phenomenon of fake news, Gaid insisted on the necessity to fight this scourge that threatens the stability of countries, through close cooperation and the establishment of a mechanism for prevention and fighting back. The chairman of Prensa Latina dubbed "strategic" the agreement signed between the two agencies, as it will allow them to "more effectively deal with media campaigns against our countries." The speaker called for strengthening relations between the two countries in this era of new technologies of information communication, expressing the availability of his agency to contribute to the promotion of relations between Algeria and Latin American countries, mainly in the media field. Bouslimani urges unified concept to protect Arab interests from digital hegemony Saturday, January 14, 2023
Speaking at the 2nd edition of the Arab Media Conference on "Global Domination and Ways to Cope with it at the Arab level", held on 13-14 14 January, Bouslimani explained that the world is experiencing "a digital transition that has brought new opportunities and created major challenges, leading the orientation of the Arab public to digital platforms and the hegemony of social networks on the media market." "These challenges require us to initiate serious steps to put an end to their adverse effects through the establishment of a unified strategy in dealing with its companies, especially with regard to media content and making joint and fast Arab decisions," he continued. "I hope that the results of this conference will be a cornerstone for the establishment of a comprehensive and unified concept to cope with the digital hegemony of international media tenors in the framework of a common and effective Arab cooperation aimed at protecting our common interests, as well as the values and principles of our Arab societies," he said. Bouslimani highlighted the importance for countries to "review their laws, including those relating to the protection of personal data, cyber security, and digital identity, in addition to everything that relates to technological development such as systems and legislation to ensure the digital protection of all." "The exchange of expertise and experience in the fight against cybercrime with the establishment of mechanisms for firm Arab action will ensure the required protection against any possible hack of local networks and ensure their security," stated Bouslimani. The Minister also recalled that "Algeria, which successfully organized the first Arab Digital Summit last November, will spare no effort against the global digital domination," stressing that "Algeria works, as part of this approach, to establish an adequate legislation, to find companies specializing in data security and credibility of information, and to revitalize the role of the media through training." He stressed that "the new crimes of cyberspace can undermine national security, hence the imperative activation of the computer watch", especially with some actors holding capabilities not to be underestimated in terms of hacking protection systems. Speaking about this Conference, Bouslimani welcomed the "tireless efforts of the Arab League to unify the Arab ranks in dealing with the giants of technology and facing the digital monopoly imposed by these global companies." He commended "the efforts of the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) in organizing this second Conference and the relevant choice of its theme." Bill on information consolidates press freedom in accordance with Constitution Wednesday, January 11, 2023
APS - ALGIERS- Minister of Communication Mohamed Bouslimani affirmed Tuesday, in Algiers, that the organic bill on information consolidates the freedom of the press in accordance with the Constitution and enshrines the citizens right to unbiased information. Presenting the bill to the Committee on Culture, Communication and Tourism at the Peoples National Assembly, the minister of Communication said that "the freedom of the press is part of the public freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, notably the articles 54 and 55, in addition to the international treaties ratified by our country," pointing out that the current bill "comes to translate the provisions of the Constitution, in order to control the media activity and enshrine the citizens right to a real and unbiased information." The new provisions in the bill focus on consolidating the different media components. As regards written and electronic press, the bill provides for the "establishment of the declarative system based on the simplified implementation to create media outlets, instead of the accreditation system currently in force." The bill also provides for the creation of an authority to regulate written and electronic media, namely "a public authority enjoying a financial autonomy and carrying out missions aimed to regulate the activity of written and electronic media," said the minister. 20 Concerning the audiovisual activity, Bouslimani said the bill provides for the amendment of the statutes of the Audiovisual Regulatory Authority (ARAV), by granting it a specific character, while extending its missions to include the regulation and control of the audiovisual communication services via the net. This bill, said Bouslimani, "strengthens the right of journalists to access information and protect their sources by recognizing their right to professional secrecy and by obliging the bodies to facilitate their access to information." ---------------------------
On the sidelines of the Global Media Congress that is being held in Abu Dhabi the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) and the News Agency of the United Arab Emirates, WAM signed a cooperation agreement. General Director of ATA Valbona Zhupa and General Director of WAM Mohammed Jalal Al Raisi signed the agreement. Zhupa stated that, "Thanks to this agreement of cooperation, both agencies join in sharing efforts for promotion of tourism, culture and creativity as the most important economic drivers that create jobs, stimulate economic growth and have a positive impact on urban development". Zhupa and Al Raisi discussed the innovations and topics being addressed in the first edition of the Global Media Congress, as a platform that has brought together media representatives, organizations and businesses from 6 continents. Likewise, the object of this cooperation agreement between the two agencies is the development of bilateral cooperation in the field of news exchange. ATA and WAM will exchange news, photos and videos to give more access to the economy, tourism, culture, etc.
The Albanian Telegraphic Agency, the main news agency in Albania, and ANSA have signed an important agreement of cooperation in the presence of the Italian Ambassador to Albania, Fabrizio Bucci. The partnership between the two agencies envisages the availability and exchange of news via the respective information platforms. The range of international information services is expanded for the subscribers of the two agencies, as this agreement provides the possibility for the partners to access their respective information services for use and have joint commercial offers to support the communication of institutions and companies from respective countries. 21 The signing of this important agreement between ANSA and ATA confirms the intensity of bilateral relations between Italy and Albania. It is symbolic that this agreement was signed at the end of the Italian Week, during which the Embassy has organized 54 artistic and cultural events throughout Albania. Italy is the principal partner in Albania in a number of sectors and thanks to this agreement it will be as such in the field of information as well," ambassador Fabrizio Bucci said. ANSA Director General Stefano De Alessandri expressed satisfaction with this cooperation. "This agreement signed today with ATA signifies a new and further step to complete our strategy of international agreements with the main news agencies in the Balkan area. The goal is to expand the availability of news for our journalists and the public and to implement commercial projects with companies in the respective countries," De Alessandri. "I am glad to be here to sign the agreement with ANSA, one of the leading news agencies in the world, which has been and continues to be a reference point for our agency," ATA director general, Valbona Zhupa said.
The European Newsroom (ENR) project is officially launching, including 16 news agencies from across Europe, including the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA). ENR aims to stimulate cooperation among news agencies having their correspondents in Brussels, towards improving information exchange, training, fact checking and journalism standards. German agency dpa and Frances AFP are the project carriers, whereas AGERPRES, ANSA, APA, ATA, Belga, BTA, EFE, Europa Press, FENA, HINA, MIA, STA, Tanjug and TASR are also taking part. The project is funded through a European Commission grant worth EUR 1,76 million. The news items are published by each agency in the respective mother tongue every Monday and Thursday. Once a week, ENR picks a European topic in which national agencies provide their input and the story is published in English./ ---------------------------
EFE - Gabriela Caas: Information hoaxes are "really a bombardment to democratic standards"
information and images "force us to deactivate each one of them and, it is at that point, where technology plays an important role." For this reason, EFE has joined the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI), a global association of technology companies, social networks and media that seeks to guarantee the authenticity of visual content through an encrypted security protocol. Initially promoted by Adobe, Twitter and The New York Times, the CAI currently has around 800 members worldwide, including the main international news agencies and companies such as Microsoft, Nikon and Qualcomm. The president of EFE underscored that readers and viewers are increasingly "looking for reliable media". https://agenciaefe.es/gabriela-canas-los-bulos-son-un-bombardeo-a-nuestros-estandares-democraticos/ ___________________ Efeminista, EFE's gender equality website, has received the Culture and Media prize at the Progressive Women Awards 2022 in Spain. The jury, which also awarded other prizes, recognized the work of Efeminista in the Culture and Media category for "having become a reference website and an indispensable loudspeaker for the achievement of equal opportunities". It also highlighted its commitment to "making visible the different forms of discrimination suffered by women around the world and promoting the defense of their rights, their empowerment and their participation in different areas". Organized by the Federation of Progressive Women, the award ceremony was attended by the Spanish Minister of Finance and Public Function, Mara Jess Montero, who highlighted the "real terrorism" that women still suffer today. https://agenciaefe.es/efeminista-y-la-activista-amelia-tiganus-premio-mujeres-progresistas-2022/ _____________ Agencia EFE, the Gabo Foundation and Colombia's Universidad del Norte have signed a collaboration agreement to offer training and incentives to students, teachers and people interested in practicing journalism in Colombia and the rest of Latin America. The three institutions will cooperate to offer professional programs, workshops, courses and seminars related to journalism, its professional practice and research. The agreement was signed by the president of EFE, Gabriela Caas, and the directors of the other institutions. This year the three entities have already carried out activities for journalism students and professionals, including one to develop a mobile application to assist Colombian journalists working in dangerous areas. https://agenciaefe.es/efe-sella-una-alianza-estrategica-con-la-fundacion-gabo-y-la-universidad-del-norte/. _________________ EFE has celebrated its 50th anniversary in Central America with a photography exhibition highlighting half a century of the region's history through 50 images on display at the Museum of Freedom and Human Rights in Panama City. EFE's president, Gabriela Caas, said that this event is a very special birthday for the agency which, with twelve Central American media, created ACAN-EFE in 1972. It was a journalistic adventure that we continue today with the work of EFE in the region, added Caas, who was accompanied at the event by personalities from the journalistic, political, social and cultural spheres. Panama's Minister of Culture, Giselle Gonzlez, stressed that Agencia EFE has "impressive credibility" given its "honesty and objectivity in the information" it produces and distributes. https://agenciaefe.es/efe-celebra-su-50-aniversario-en-centroamerica-con-una-muestra-de-fotografia/ _________________ EFE has celebrated its 84th anniversary and has entered 2023 with numerous milestones accomplished and with the firm intention of continuing to grow and consolidate its work. It leaves behind a 2022 with 55 recognitions and awards to its journalists, who cover global news from 180 cities in 110 countries. Among the highlights of the last year for EFE, which adopted a new logo to renew its corporate image, are the creation of the integrated newsroom at its headquarters in Madrid and the unification of the former radio, photo and television departments into a large audiovisual area. One of the first products of this area, short news podcasts, awarded in September by the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA), has had a successful daily distribution on major audio platforms such as Spotify, Amazon and Ivoox. EFE also created a new digital newsroom, revamped its website, expanded its fact-checking work and joined the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI). https://agenciaefe.es/en-2023-efe-cumple-84-anos-de-historia/ ___________________ EFE and Radio Televisin Espaola (RTVE), in collaboration with the European Parliament (EP), will train young journalists in Spain to report on the European Union and explain to citizens how its institutions work and how the decisions they make affect them. The training program was presented in Madrid at a ceremony attended by the Director of Communication of the EP, Jaume Duch, who explained that Spain is one of the eight EU countries which are going to implement this project financed by his institution through two public companies "of the size and credibility" of EFE and RTVE. 24 The project has a total duration of four years and will be developed in eight six-monthly editions. The training, with theoretical and practical classes, will be given at EFE's headquarters and at RTVE's facilities with a teaching team made up of professionals from both media, as well as university professors, academics and experts. https://agenciaefe.es/programa-formacion-parlamento-europeo/ ____________________ EFE will once again be the official media of the Spanish Pavilion at the next edition of the Mobile World Congress (MWC), from February 27 to March 2, following its agreement with the Spanish public business institution RED.ES. The news agency will have its own space in the Spanish Pavilion at the Congress, from which it will conduct multimedia interviews and report on the day-to-day running of the event, one of the most important in the global technology industry organized by the GSMA association. A total of 38 companies will join the tenth edition of the Spanish Pavilion at the MWC, which is 8% more than the previous year. In an interview with EFE, GSMA CEO John Hoffman estimated that the 2023 MWC will surpass the 60,000 attendees it had in 2022. https://agenciaefe.es/efe-volvera-a-ser-el-medio-oficial-del-pabellon-de-espana-en-el-proximo-mwc/ _____________________ The Foundation of Urgent Spanish (FunduRAE), promoted by EFE and the Royal Spanish Academy of Language, chose the expression "inteligencia artificial" (artificial intelligence) as "word of the year 2022" in the Spanish-speaking world. The president of EFE, Gabriela Caas, said that this choice reflects that in some way "human fantasies" have been fulfilled and, although it is not a new concept, in the last year AI has made a qualitative leap and for the first time "people have the feeling that it has entered their daily lives". FundeuRAE chose "confinamiento" (lockdown) as word of the year in 2020 and "vacuna" (vaccine) in 2021, two years marked by the pandemic. https://agenciaefe.es/inteligencia-artificial/ _____________________ The 57 Spanish journalists who have covered the war in Ukraine, including 19 from EFE, have been awarded by the Association of Information Media (AMI), the main organization of the journalistic industry in Spain. The award was given in recognition of their "indispensable informative work" on the scene of the conflict. The president of EFE, Gabriela Caas, expressed her "great joy" at AMI's decision to recognize the work that 15 men and 4 women from EFE have done and continue to do on the ground since the beginning of the war. They have worked "with the highest responsibility, in difficult situations and in hostile and dangerous conditions, on many occasions," she emphasized. https://agenciaefe.es/los-reporteros-enviados-a-ucrania-premiados-por-estar-donde-hay-que-estar/ ______________________ ==================================================
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'We face a collective enemy that affects us all regardless of our difference: environment and climate crisis,' says Director-General Serdar Karagoz at Anadolu Agency's Environment Forum
ISTANBUL The first Environment Forum organized by Anadolu Agency, Turkiye's leading news provider, kicked off Thursday in Istanbul to raise awareness of the climate crisis and environmental issues. "Today, we came together to share the need of fighting against the environment and climate crisis from the media perspective with the initiative of Anadolu Agency," said Serdar Karagoz, Anadolu Agency's director-general and chairman, addressing the forum which is being held at Istanbul Renaissance Polat Hotel with the main theme Reshaping the Narrative of Environmental and Climate Crises.
"As journalists, we cannot stay far away from this matter. 'Reshaping the narrative of environment and climate crisis is not an option for us, it is our responsibility. So, how do we reshape this narrative?" he added.Noting that Anadolu Agency has been dealing with these questions for a long time, Karagoz said: "After long-lasting discussions, we recently founded Greenline, one of the most comprehensive media platforms narrating environment and climate issues.""Our main goal is 'remaining responsive' to the world, while nature and the environment are getting destroyed," he added. "Greenline platform reports on climate change, green economy, zero waste, and environment stories from all aspects." Pointing out that climate journalism should be of greater importance to all media outlets all over the world, Karagoz said: "As journalists, we not only inform, but also transform the public by revealing man-made disasters behind this crisis." "From forest fires in Europe to the disappearance of rainforests in the Amazon, we tell the world the tragedy of climate disaster with Greenline platform," he added. "However, we tell not only the tragedy, but also share the stories giving us hope." Karagoz also highlighted that Environment Forum would become "an excellent focal point to discuss both man-made disasters and hope behind this crisis from the media perspective." "Journalists, experts, and decision-makers, gathered at the Environment Forum today, will debate on a new narrative on the environment and climate change," he said. "The forum participants' profiles remind us that these issues concern all of us. From Zimbabwe to Spain, Somalia to Albania, from Norway to Italy, we all came together with the same concern," he noted. 4 "We hope that the Environment Forum will be a milestone in the steps taken against the climate crisis. We hope that it will contribute to a more livable world," he explained.Karagoz also noted: "I would like to remind you again that as Anadolu Agency, we do not question the need for action. We do inspire, we do act, we do change. We say 'a word for a better world'."
Lauding the mission statement of Anadolu Agency's Environment Forum "reshaping the narrative" on environment, UN Development Program (UNDP) Turkiye Resident Representative Louisa Vinton said participation of the country's top officials in the forum "is vital to effective action on climate change at the national level." Vinton said this shows "the potential" of Turkiye "to serve as a leader globally ... for positive change" in climate action. Expressing the urgency of "getting away from horror movie style coverage of climate (issues)," the UN official called on media to cover climate change "in a way that doesn't inspire fear and paralysis, but rather a kind of solutions-(based) journalism, where policymakers and the public alike can see a path of actions where there is an impact towards a shared goal of protecting the planet." Noting the challenges in motivating people towards the goal of protecting the planet, Vinton said the community is grappling with "how to spur action, how to raise awareness, without creating a threat." Strongly suggesting replacing fossil fuels with renewables, the UN official said: "We need to respect nature," calling for a united approach at all levels of the government on climate action and adding that there was "no need to panic." Vinton said the world was at a stage "where we need to act to minimize that (climate) change and try to reverse (it in) future," adding: "We are moving into something very, very scary," she said, warning of a "suicidal war against nature." Calling on governments to stand on the right side of history, the UN official said this is where "the media narrative has a crucial role to play." Vinton also noted that the climate change action was a "decisive moment" for Turkiye. Expressing support to Turkiye on behalf of the UN and UNDP, Vinton called ratification of Paris Agreement by Ankara last year as "one of the greatest and visionary decisions." 5 Praising Turkiye's aim to be a leader in the green revolution, she said: "It's a very, very important step." She said the UNDP office was working closely with Turkiye's Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Ministry, along with other parts of the Turkish government.The UNDP is helping prepare long-term strategic and action plans on Climate Change action of Turkiye, said Vinton, suggesting the use of solar power and wind-based electricity as a solution. Besides bringing in the technology in the climate change action, Vinton said lack of resources was also a challenge, calling for the creation of "financing mechanism so that every family in the forest, village can afford to put a solar panel on the roof and generate power not just for households, but also (for) income."Referring to narrative building on alternate resources of energy production, Vinton said: "People tend to assume that the more radical the change, the more expensive it becomes. But, she said "this is not the way to think about it." "This is a story that needs to be told that there are solutions that investing in climate action is not just environmentally sound (but it) makes good economic sense," she added. 'Turkiye, a great example of what nations can do in climate change action' Ovais Sarmad, the deputy executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), said it was important to understand "what we are up against and what can be done" with regard to climate change action. "Climate change takes on us no matter whether we are rich or poor," he said, referring to the displacement caused by the climate change with recent example from Pakistan. "So, events like this are coming in. It doesn't really take long," Sarmad said, adding that there is a "fatigue of doom and gloom" in media. Lauding the Anadolu Agency Environment Forum, the UN official said the event was "important because we need to change habits. Because there are a lot of opportunities and positive aspects of climate change." Sarmad said scientists are working on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report to know "why it is happening and what can be done to prevent the changes." The UN official also said there was "still time to reverse this (climate change) impact that we are experiencing." Urging reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions, he said it "very clear how that needs to be done." 6 "It comes down to each one of these governments, civil society. ... We all need to take actions in our way," Sarmad said. Calling for "championship" among the tourism stakeholders from the government in the private sector to "boost efficiency and investing in renewables," he called for improving passenger transportation, and increasing the infrastructure for electric vehicles." "Investment in transformational accommodations creates jobs and stronger, more resilient economies," he noted .Urging companies in adopting environment-friendly approaches, the UN official said the role of news agencies like Anadolu Agency is "extremely important and Turkiye is a great example of what nations can do."Sarmad said that since the ratification of the Paris Agreement by Turkiye in 2021, "The (Turkish) government has announced a series of policies on (carbon) neutrality by 2053." Stressing the planning and positive narrative on climate change action, he said there were "so many solutions and innovations" and the UN's main role "is to support the governance of parties or negotiations as well implementation of the decisions essentially the Paris Agreement." "In climate change, the narrative is very clear. There is mitigation and adaptation (planning) in the UN as a whole," he said. Emphasizing "reshaping the narrative" and educating people on climate change at national levels through public broadcasters, Sarmad expressed support for the initiative taken by Anadolu Agency. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the opening of the forum via a video message. As part of the forum, a session titled Media Responsibility on Climate Change will be moderated by Yusuf Ozhan, Anadolu Agency 's deputy director-general and editor-in-chief, under the title of Media Responsibility on Climate Change.Representatives of many local and foreign NGOs and international organizations, politicians, academics, and journalists are participating in the event which is featuring sessions on Clean Energy for Sustainable Development, The Media's Approach to Natural Disasters, and Climate Crisis and Responsibility Sharing, 7as well as issues such as climate change, energy, the media's view of climate change and environmental education. Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay and Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change minister Murat Kurum will also address the event. Turkiye's first lady Emine Erdogan, who has spearheaded the nation's Zero Waste project since 2017, is expected to deliver a closing speech.The event aims to tackle issues such as the need to create a new media language on environmental and climate issues, international news agencies raising global awareness, the duties of traditional and new media outlets, and the pursuit of environmental awareness in new news areas. "We aim to redefine the relationship between media and environment by creating a medium for environmental experts to voice their opinions and discuss solutions," according to the forum's website. Among the forum's international participants are Portugal's former Minister of Europe Bruno Macaes, Deputy Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC Ovais Sarmad, CEO and General Director of Italian news agency ANSA Stefano De Alessandri, global climate and environment news editor at Associated Press (AP) Peter Prengaman, climate director of Spain's EFE Agency Arturo Larena. The Environment Forum can be followed live by registering at its website at environment.aa.com.tr. as well as issues such as climate change, energy, the media's view of climate change and environmental education. Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay and Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change minister Murat Kurum will also address the event. Turkiye's first lady Emine Erdogan, who has spearheaded the nation's Zero Waste project since 2017, is expected to deliver a closing speech.The event aims to tackle issues such as the need to create a new media language on environmental and climate issues, international news agencies raising global awareness, the duties of traditional and new media outlets, and the pursuit of environmental awareness in new news areas. "We aim to redefine the relationship between media and environment by creating a medium for environmental experts to voice their opinions and discuss solutions," according to the forum's website. Among the forum's international participants are Portugal's former Minister of Europe Bruno Macaes, Deputy Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC Ovais Sarmad, CEO and General Director of Italian news agency ANSA Stefano De Alessandri, global climate and environment news editor at Associated Press (AP) Peter Prengaman, climate director of Spain's EFE Agency Arturo Larena. The Environment Forum can be followed live by registering at its website at environment.aa.com.tr. 4 Mediterranean news agencies sign declaration to protect forests, combat wildfires Anadolu Agency's Director General Serdar Karagoz hosts signing ceremony in Istanbul on sidelines of Turkiye's 1st Environment Forum Riyaz ul Khaliq | 20.10.2022
Three Mediterranean region news agencies joined Anadolu Agency, Turkiye's global news wire, on Thursday to jointly combat wildfires. The four news agencies signed the Joint Declaration on the Mediterranean Wildfires to cooperate in protecting the forests of the Mediterranean, as well as raising public awareness. 8 Chairman of the Board and Director General of Anadolu Agency Serdar Karagoz led the ceremony in Istanbul with counterparts from Greece's Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA), Italy's Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA), and Spain's Agencia EFE. The meeting aims to establish a common ground to cooperate among the above-mentioned news agencies on covering the wildfire news and to raise awareness on Mediterranean countries. Anadolu Agency also signed a cooperation deal with news agencies of Bulgaria (BTA), Belgium (BELGA), Croatia (HINA), Kosovo (Kosovapress) and Zimbabwe (New Ziana). The deal will enable the agencies to exchange some visual content, news, photos and videos in specific languages. The parties will transfer their experience and technical assistance to each other through contacts and will cooperate closely in following the news and providing information about the mutual visit of the leaders and official delegations of their countries. Anadolu Agency has presence in more than 100 countries, and provides news and digital content to thousands of its subscribers in 13 languages. The signing ceremony was held on the sidelines of Turkiye's first Environment Forum organized by Anadolu Agency. The panelists, which included journalists, academics as well as representatives of international organizations, addressed the responsibility of media in the climate crisis, sustainable development, media's approach to natural disasters, as well as responsibility sharing on climate and environment. Anadolu Agency signs cooperation deal with Italian news agency ANSA Signing of agreement comes after meeting of European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) in Zurich Omer Faruk Yildiz | 01.10.2022
Turkiye's Anadolu Agency on Friday signed a cooperation deal with Italian news agency ANSA.After a meeting of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) in Zurich, Serdar Karagoz, Anadolu Agency's director general and chairman of the board, and Stefano de Alessandri, ANSA's general manager, renewed the agreement between the two news agencies. As part of the deal, Anadolu Agency and ANSA will exchange visuals and news items. 9 Speaking at the signing ceremony, Karagoz said: "We are happy to bolster our cooperation with Italy's global news agency ANSA. Anadolu Agency and ANSA are among the world's most important news sources." Underlining the importance of the deal, he said: "Exchanging news and visual content between us will contribute to the objective and reliable dissemination of information in our regions and at the global level. I believe that Anadolu Agency and ANSA will continue to deepen their cooperation further." Alessandri, for his part, said that with the signing of the agreement, "we have further strengthened our partnership, which we have maintained for years with mutual satisfaction."
Anadolu Agency's Green Line receives award from Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies Chairperson of South Korea's Yonhap News Agency presents award to Environment Editor Hale Aydogmus
TEHRAN, Iran The Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) on Wednesday presented its 2020-2021 Excellence in News Agency Quality Award to Anadolu Agency's Green Line, an editorial unit to raise awareness about climate change and environmental issues. 10 The three-day 18th OANA General Assembly was held in the Iranian capital Tehran. Hyeonjun Kim, chairperson of South Korea's Yonhap News Agency, presented the award to Anadolu Agency's Environment Editor Hale Aydogmus. Oguz Karakas, the Turkish news agency's project management coordinator, said Anadolu Agency will host the OANA Board of Directors Meeting in 2023. After voting, Iran's official news agency IRNA took over the OANA presidency for the next three years. The next general assembly will be held in the Russian capital Moscow in 2025. OANA was founded in 1961 on the initiative of UNESCO to ensure a free and direct exchange of news in the Asia-Pacific region, which is home to almost two-thirds of the world's population. News agencies of 43 countries are the association's members. About two-thirds of the total news circulation in the world is provided by the member agencies of the union. Anadolu Agency's war journalism trainees graduate in Turkish capital 25 journalists, including 14 foreign reporters, receive certificates at agency's headquarters
ANKARA Participants in the 22nd round of the War Journalism Training Program organized by Anadolu Agency graduated Friday. Twenty-five journalists, including 14 foreign reporters who took part in the Turkish news agency's war journalism training program, received certificates at the company's headquarters in the nation's capital of Ankara. The 12-day program from Sept. 26 to Oct. 7, trained journalists to work in war, disaster and emergency situations. The program was held in cooperation with state aid agency, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and the Turkish Police Academy. Anadolu Agency News Coordinator Yahya Bostan congratulated the journalists who completed the training. 11 Bostan said the agency will continue the war correspondent training in the spring of 2023 as he thanked everyone who contributed. "We would like to convey to you the knowledge and experience that will enable you to survive while doing your job during disaster and war," he said. "I believe the knowledge and experience you have gained is vital." Police Academy's Vice President Fatih Inal said that journalists in many countries have made great demands to attend the training. "We take care to meet these demands within our program," said Inal. Ugur Tanyeli, a senior TIKA official said that the organization's project activities in friendly and brotherly countries are an investment in human resources.Noting that one of TIKA's most critical project investments is the media sector, Tanyeli said: "More than 1,000 journalists have attended the training we have organized with Anadolu Agency since 2017."-----------------------------------------------
TRANSMIXR is a three-year project set to kick off in October 2022 under the leadership of the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Athlone campus, Ireland. The project has received 9 million euros in funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe program focused on research and innovation. With the development of extended Reality (XR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, a unique window of opportunity for the European Creative and Cultural Sector (CCS) exists to reimagine digital co-creation, interaction and partnerships. The TRANSMIXR platform will provide a distributed XR Creation Environment that allows people to collaborate in a virtual space, and an XR Media Experience Environment for the delivery and consumption of immersive media experiences. Ground-breaking AI techniques will provide users with access to a whole range of complex and heterogeneous media content via a single immersive platform using the Living Labs methodology. Thanks to this user-centric methodology, TRANSMIXR will develop and evaluate four pilots in four important CCS domains: news media, broadcasting, performing arts, and cultural heritage. -----------------------------------------------
October has been a month of new initiatives for Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA). It joined forces with BrainReGain - Hellenism in Action with the signature of a memorandum of cooperation that aims to systematically keep diaspora Greeks 12 informed of developments in Greece and of initiatives that create opportunities for Greeks abroad to be repatriated. BrainReGain is an initiative launched by the non-profit association "Greek Roots" for the professional repatriation of Greeks abroad. The ANA's collaboration with the largest news networks in the world and its extensive use of electronic media, social media and other technological and communications innovations, combined with BrainReGain's cooperation with foremost companies and organisations operating in Greece give significant and international value to the alliance that covers a broad range. Their collaboration will include the publication and dissemination of authoritative and exclusive financial and business news stories relating to the action of BrainReGain within and outside Greece, the organisation of events and actions to further inform Greeks throughout the world and the creation of relations with crucial bodies and productive forces that will help promote the country's growth and create a source of good news and prospects for Greece. "Our cooperation confirms the intention we have to, on the one hand, project a positive agenda, and, on the other hand, to make the ANA-MPA, through a series of actions, a two-way portal for news and communication with the expatriates and the Greeks of the diaspora, as well as for all the productive forces within and outside Greece", stated ANA-MPA's President Emilios Perdikaris. A memorandum of cooperation was also signed between ANA-MPA and the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE). On behalf of ANA, the memorandum was signed by the president and general director, Emilios Perdikaris and on behalf of TEE, by TEE president Giorgos Stasinos. The purpose of the cooperation is the provision by the Chamber to the Agency of technical advice on issues related to energy conservation and the promotion of TEE actions and work by ANA. The signing of the memorandum of cooperation is another step for the Athens-Macedonian News Agency in the new era that requires energy efficiency, sustainability and a shift to a "green" and circular economy, ANA president Emilios Perdikaris said in his statement, underlining that as a national agency, the ANA will assist TEE in promoting the activities, events and initiatives it undertakes. On his behalf, the president of the TEE, Giorgos Stasinos, said that the signing of the memorandum of cooperation is of strategic importance. ANA-MPA was also among the four news agencies that signed a joint statement on the protection of Mediterranean forests from fire, and awareness campaigns for the public. Greece's Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA), Italy's ANSA, Spain's EFE and Turkey's Anadolu Agency signed the agreement in Istanbul on the sidelines of the Environmental Forum organized by Anadolu. ANA-MPA was represented by its president and director general, Emilios Perdikaris. 13 The four news agencies will hold a working meeting on how to collaborate and how to best convey to the public the need for the protection of forests. Meanwhile, after 14 years, the historic Samothrace Journalistic Conference was revived on October 22-23, 2022. More than 80 journalists, researchers, representatives of the Greek Associations of Editors, as well as European organizations for Information and the Media, discussed the situation in the press within the framework "Safety of journalists" and "Freedom of the Press".
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ANSA and ANP have concluded a collaboration agreement that provides the possibility for partners to use their respective information services for editorial use and the opportunity to develop joint commercial offers to their customers - institutions and companies - from their respective countries. In this way, the offer of international information services is enriched for the subscribers and customers of the two Agencies. (link). Last month, a similar agreement was signed with Press Trust of India (PTI) - India's news agency. The signing of the agreement took place virtually, in the presence of the Italian Ambassador to India Vincenzo De Luca, who said that "the ANSA-PTI accord comes, 75 years after the start of diplomatic relations between Italy and India, at a moment of extraordinary development of relations between the two countries at a political, economic and cultural level".(link) ...and adds media monitoring services to its product offering ANSA is expanding its range of information services and entering the press review and media monitoring market through a strategic partnership with Volocom, one of the leading companies in the sector. Thanks to Volocom's cutting-edge technology, ANSA will be able to offer services to monitor the news landscape in an efficient and reliable way. More than 4 million news items per day, published by more than 200.000 national and international sources traditional newspapers, online media outlets, social media, radio and TV - will be monitored in real time. ANSA's information will also be monitored by Volocom's services, in full compliance with copyright regulations. This collaboration builds on technological innovation and Volocom's consolidated know-how in the field of press review and news intelligence, while fully embracing the values of independence, reliability and timeliness that characterize ANSA's brand. A new set of products will be introduced, ranging from traditional press reviews to monitoring services that allow for the full customization of content and mode of use, up to the design of dedicated portals for the clients' exclusive use. (link) ...and three new partners join ANSA's ownership cooperative The number of shareholders of ANSA continues to grow, as this month three new publishers - Il Centro, Il Manifesto and La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno - joined the cooperative that owns Italy's largest news agency. The new entries bring the number 14 of publishers in the cooperative up to 26, for a total of 42 daily newspapers and periodicals. Expressing satisfaction at the news, ANSA President Giulio Anselmi underlined the role played by ANSA's core values of reliability and independence not only in maintaining its position as a bulwark against the spread of misinformation, but also in attracting new partners. ANSA CEO Stefano De Alessandri noted that the agency is continuing the positive trend of the last four years, with positive balance-sheet results despite the serious problems faced by the sector, and that the entry of new partners shows that there is confidence in the solidity of the agency and the quality of its services. (link) -----------------------------------------------
Bouslimani urges development of capacities of Arab media system
Speaking at a conference themed "The Role of Arab Media in Boosting the Process of Unifying Arab Ranks", organized by the National Radio in collaboration with the National School of Journalism and Science of Information (ENSJSI), Bouslimani focused on the development of the capacities of the Arab media system so that it conveys its message at the regional and international levels. The media are among the most important tools of foreign policy used by the state, and a means of paramount importance to orient public opinion, he said. He also called for bringing views closer and strengthening cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral levels "to achieve our supreme goal, namely the unification of the Arab ranks to which the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has called since his announcement of Algeria's hosting of the Arab Summit". With regard to this Arab event, the minister highlighted the efforts made by Algeria to complete the preparations necessary for the holding of a successful Arab summit contributing to pooling the positions of the Arab countries to address current global challenges. 15 National Media Day: Opportunity to step up Algerian journalists' efforts
In an address at the ceremony awarding the winning journalists of the 8th edition of the President of the Republic Award for Professional Journalists, held under the theme "60th anniversary of independence: challenges of yesterday, challenges of today," Bouslimani said the event was an opportunity to recall "Algerian journalists' active role through the different processes the country has gone through." October 22, according to the minister, is an opportunity to express "the much deserved recognition" for the national media corporation's sacrifices in the service of Algeria, and its support of the efforts for the country's development and the preservation of its sovereignty and the dignity of its children wherever they are. Such a role, he carries on, is today one of the most prominent, as the media corporation "support the significant gains achieved in the implementation of the commitments made by the president of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, to restore State authority, and its influential and constructive role, and build a diversified, productive and competitive economy, and thus ensuring the dignity of Algerian citizens." "Considering the various attacks against our country, including cyber-attacks, the national media have to strongly contribute to counter them," Bouslimani said. The attacks, according to the minister, vainly seek to destabilize the country and influence its steadfast positions and sovereign decisions. 16 Croatia's ambassador pays courtesy visit to APS
This visit is part of the enhancement of cooperation relations between Algeria and Croatia in the field of information, especially in anticipation of a draft agreement of cooperation and exchange of information being developed between APS and the official Croatian news agency (HINA). APS held the presidency of the cooperation mechanism of the Mediterranean countries, namely the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN), for a term extended until October 2022. The next general assembly of AMAN will be held in Croatia and APS will pass on the presidency of AMAN to the HINA agency for a one-year term. -----------------------------------------------
ANA-MPA and CNA renew strategic agreement at special ceremony in Athens
With the signing of the agreement by the President of ANA-MPA, Emilios Perdikaris, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the CNA, Iosif Iosif, the renewal of the cooperation between the two agencies on issues of content and know-how exchange was made official. 17 According to the two heads of the agencies, the aim of the renewal of cooperation is to coordinate using new technological media, which offer enhanced possibilities in the production of information, as well as to ensure a valid and timely cooperation in order to enable ANA-MPA and CNA to serve even better the goal of informing the Greek and Cypriot society. In his statements after the agreement was signed, Iosif noted that the renewal of the agreement was also prompted by the evolution of the media. "I am particularly happy because after consultation with the ANA-MPA President, we have reached a renewed strategic agreement, which allows the two agencies to offer more information, richer content and synchronise the various methods in order to meet their work to the societies of Cyprus and Greece," he said. "We live in a technological era and a new agreement would be needed so that all new media and ways of information are covered. With this agreement I believe that we will achieve our goals by giving more direct and better information to the public," Iosif noted. In his statements, Perdikaris stressed that the relationship between the two agencies is long standing and traditional and the agreements are not needed to seal it, but today's renewal sets a new framework for cooperation, more organised and modernised. "The relationship between the two agencies is traditional. It does not need agreements to seal it but it is good to renew this mutual trust from time to time," he noted. This, he added, "is what we have done today with the agreement we have signed and we look forward to strengthening our cooperation in a new context, shaped mainly by new media and the effort to upgrade journalistic content through technology." "The technological upgrading of the two agencies, moreover, is a common intention of both agencies" Perdikaris concluded. -----------------------------------------------
EFE revamps its website efe.com EFE has revamped its website efe.com with the objectives of offering relevant information, publishing a selection of news with its seal of quality, increasing the community of followers in social media and its brand credibility on the Internet. The home page features an image gallery with the most visible proposals, such as special coverage, news products, events, live broadcasts, promotional campaigns and corporate communication. A new feature of the website is a showcase where clients will find all of EFE's news offerings and different services that demonstrate the agency's ability to meet their specific needs with tailor-made projects. 18 The new efe.com reduces the information content to show only the most important news of the day, with a view to offering information that is also useful for citizens. EFE's website is published in three languages, Spanish, English and Portuguese. Its current affairs content is fed 24 hours a day by teams of multimedia journalists in Spain and Latin America, thanks to the daily work of the agency's 2,000 journalists around the world. The renewal of efe.com also involves an update of its technologies and design, designed for preferential consumption on mobile devices and the optimization of content. The website makes it easier for digital newsrooms to optimize SEO criteria so that content is easy to find on the Internet and the EFE brand reaches the audience through all possible channels. https://agenciaefe.es/la-agencia-efe-estrena-su-nueva-web/ An EFE photo receives five international distinctions A picture by EFE photographer in Guatemala Esteban Biba has obtained five international distinctions in different photographic competitions. The photo, taken in January 2021 in eastern Guatemala, shows soldiers and policemen pushing and shoving a caravan of Honduran migrants trying to reach the United States. The image published by EFE has been honorable mention in the London Photography Awards, finalist in the News Photo Award of the TASS agency, cover of the Central American photography catalog ESFOTOPERIODISMO, finalist in the International Photography Awards and, finally, first prize for News in the Andri Stenin International Photojournalism Competition awarded last September 27. https://agenciaefe.es/fotografia-esteban-biba-multiplica-premios-el-mundo/ EFE will help to promote the Arab culture Agencia EFE and Casa rabe (Arabic House) in Spain will jointly promote the dissemination of Arab culture in the world. The president of Agencia EFE, Gabriela Caas, and the director of Casa rabe, Irene Lozano, signed an agreement in Madrid to promote political and economic relations between Spanish and Arab entities. The organization of informative events on current affairs and a training program at EFE for journalists from the Arab world are some of the activities planned. In addition, there will be workshops in Spain to explain to journalists questions about the Arab world and Islam, to help them to use certain terms accurately or to avoid Islamophobic approaches, conferences and round table discussions, among others. The agreement, for four years, also includes the broadcasting by EFE of Casa rabe's activities that are considered to be of news interest. 19 Casa rabe is a public entity that has been operating since 2006 as a strategic center for Spain's relations with the Arab world, with offices in Madrid and the Spanish city of Cordoba. https://agenciaefe.es/la-agencia-efe-y-casa-arabe-impulsaran-la-difusion-de-la-cultura-arabe/ EFE's President on maintaining quality while embracing change Zaragoza, Spain. Spain's international news agency EFE is undergoing a transformation to offer new products underpinned by an innovative and transversal approach all the while upholding the quality of its information, the organization's president Gabriela Caas told the World News Media Congress Wednesday. In her address to the congress, which has convened up to 1,500 media leaders from 80 countries in the Spanish city of Zaragoza, Caas said EFE was adapting to meet the needs of its clients and was placing particular emphasis on multimedia formats. The conference, inaugurated by Spain's King Felipe VI earlier Wednesday, began with the showing of an EFE-produced video with audio and photographic elements that resumed the year's coverage so far, including the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II. The video's content included first-hand reporting of natural disasters, notable current events, sporting moments and war captured by the EFE's 2,000 professionals from across the globe. "We believe that the media needs more and more quality, especially within these subscription models, where it is very important that the public has confidence in the brand and in the news we give them," Caas told the conference. EFE has undergone internal changes to its workflow and organizational structure, including in the audiovisual sector, a strategic tack, Caas said, that does not come at the cost of quality. And while EFE has placed considerable focus on honing audiovisual products, it is also dedicated to areas of relevance and high demand, such as material on the environment and health. EFE's commitment to social sustainability was also highlighted in the address, underlined by the agency's services such as Efeminista and Efeverifica, its fact-checking department, and by the diversity of its workforce, with journalists representing 60 nationalities, as well as its gender equality figures. https://efe.com/en/other-news/head-of-spains-efe-on-maintaining-quality-while-embracing-change/ EFE's short podcasts awarded by the European Alliance of News Agencies EFE's short podcasts, a new format of the agency for broadcasting on audio platforms, have been awarded by the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) for their quality and innovation. The award was collected in Zurich by EFE's Innovation Coordinator, Javier Marn, during the general assembly of this entity, in which he highlighted "the great audiovisual team and the great effort" behind these "apparently small pieces of audio". EFE's short podcasts, which are distributed daily on the main audio platforms -Spotify, Amazon Music, Itunes and Google, among others- are informative pieces of about three minutes long narrated with a direct and agile language, which try to summarize and explain the most relevant issues of the day. They currently cover international news, sports and curiosities and are the result of a development process and numerous tests whose main objective was to adapt traditional news content to a language closer to the audience and a more current format. The three podcasts maintain the qualities of an agency: immediacy, universal coverage, reliability and brevity. They are also one of the first products of the new structure of EFE's audio service, previously focused on the production and broadcasting of programs and newscasts for the traditional radio market. EFE organizes a technology marathon to protect Colombian journalists EFE has organized a meeting of programmers (hackathon) in Bogot to collaboratively develop an application that reinforces the safety of Colombian journalists who work in places and risky news coverage. This initiative, carried out within the framework of the X Gabo Festival, emerged in response to the serious situation of the press in Colombia and, in general, in Latin America, where so far this year 31 journalists have been murdered, the most dangerous situation in the last three decades. For two days and with little rest, the hackathon "Journalism for Peace" has brought together in Bogot young developers, engineers and journalists who have worked in multidisciplinary groups to put together four different proposals. EFE promotes innovation and transversality in its news products EFE is transforming itself to offer new products thanks to innovation and transversality, with a change in the internal culture but maintaining the quality of the information, said the president of the news agency, Gabriela Caas, in her speech at the World Media Congress being held in Zaragoza (Spain). 21 Caas pointed out that EFE has had to adapt to the demands of its clients and is putting its efforts into multimedia formats. EFE's strategic bet is the improvement of audiovisual production, said Caas, but also the commitment to information in relevant areas and with "highly demanded" contents, such as Environment or Health. The engagement with social sustainability is another objective of the agency with services such as Efeminista or Efeverifica, member of the International Fact-Checking Network. https://agenciaefe.es/canas-efe-camina-hacia-la-transversalidad-con-nuevos-productos-de-calidad/ Mobile applications to protect Colombian journalists from violence Agencia EFE has organized a programmers' workshop in Bogota to develop software applications to strengthen the safety of Colombian journalists working in dangerous places. Within the framework of the X Gabo Festival, the workshop "Journalism for Peace" has gathered in Bogota young developers, engineers and journalists in response to the severe situation of the press in Colombia and, in general, in Latin America, where 31 journalists have been murdered so far this year. For two days the workshop worked in groups to prepare four different apps for Android and IOS devices. Among other elements, they all have a panic button that can be pressed by the journalist to warn if he or she is in an extreme situation of danger. They also have a geolocation system that warns about dangerous areas and the type of incidents that have been reported in them. https://agenciaefe.es/efe-organiza-un-maraton-tecnologico-para-proteger-a-los-periodistas-colombianos/ Training in health emergencies for journalists in risk environments EFE will provide specialized training to its journalists in risk environments through an agreement signed with the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES). EFE journalists will receive courses from that entity to face the dangers of the activity in conflict zones. "Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine we detected that an update of guidelines and recommendations was very necessary for our journalists to be able to work in 22 the field minimizing risks as much as possible," explained EFE's president, Gabriela Caas. The experience of SEMES, she added, "will be of great help" for the 2,000 journalists that EFE has around the world, in 110 countries, "where insecurity is often not directly related to an armed conflict, but to the exercise of the profession in troubled societies". https://agenciaefe.es/efe-abre-una-nueva-formacion-para-sus-periodistas-en-entornos-de-riesgo/ A report on the harsh migration routes to Europe wins the Saliou Traor Prize for Journalism in Spanish on Africa A report on the harshness and human drama of the migratory routes from Africa to Europe, entitled "The Backway", by journalist Agus Morales and photographer Pau Coll, has received the Saliou Traor Prize for Journalism in Spanish on Africa, organized every year by the EFE news agency and the Casa frica institution, based in the Canary Islands. The work, published in the Spanish magazine "5W", tells the hard journey and the precarious destiny that awaits immigrants in Spain, Italy, France and other European countries, who often risk their lives and leave their families behind in search of a dream. The award, endowed with a sculpture and 5,000 euros, was presented in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria by the mayor, Augusto Hidalgo, whose city is part of the Atlantic migratory route. https://agenciaefe.es/casa-africa-y-efe-premian-una-cronica-sobre-la-cara-oculta-del-sueno-europeo/ EFE awarded for its environmental news service The EFE News Agency has been recognized for its pioneering work in environmental information at the I Environmental Forum of the Turkish agency Anadolu, held in Istanbul. The award was given by the first lady of Turkey, Emine Erdogan, to Arturo Larena, director of Environment and Science of the EFE Agency and EFEverde. The former director of UNEP and former Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment, Eric Solheim, current president of the Green Belt Institute, was also recognized with another award. Prior to the presentation of the two awards, Emine Erdogan highlighted the importance of the media in addressing environmental issues. https://agenciaefe.es/efe-reconocida-por-su-labor-pionera-en-la-informacion-medioambiental/
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"Magical Rabat", New MAP Publication, First in Series of Books on Moroccan Cities The Maghreb Arabe Presse (MAP) agency has published "Magical Rabat", the first in a series of books on Moroccan cities. This 180-page book highlights the rich heritage of the Kingdom's capital and invites the reader to a journey through time and space where the history, architecture, cuisine and spirituality of the city are in the spotlight. Published in French and English, "Magical Rabat" sheds light on the potential of Rabat at the tourist, cultural, economic and environmental levels, which, grouped together in a single collection, makes it possible to discover "The City of Light" in all its splendor. Rabat, as described by MAP Director General, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, in the presentation of "Magical Rabat" is "a cultural melting-pot that absorbed various affluents throughout history. In an almost geological process, strata accumulated, solidified, sedimented and gave birth to a unique identity. In this presentation entitled "The Parable of the Storks", Hachimi Idrissi notes that "the dimension of the city as a political capital of the country, the Royal Palace, the Mechouar and the neighboring Touarga quarter, the 'Ahl Fez' mosque with its centuries-old makhzanian character, bestow on the city a sort of patina that gives the whole population a certain urban 'sacrality' rendering profane all the other agglomerations of the country, except, naturally, for the imperial cities of the Cherifian Empire." The city is obviously winning its urban challenge, he said, adding "the cultural field, personally looked after by the Sovereign, is yet to be taken. Rabat will be the cultural capital without ado." "Foreign tourists, especially cultural tourism lovers, flock to Rabat in a growing number. It's like the parable of the storks, wherever there are tourists, there is tolerance, living-together, joy of life and peace," writes Hachimi Idrissi. The series "Magical" of MAP aims to promote the cities of the Kingdom and through them the regions to which they belong, presenting their potential through a rich and varied rubric, which goes from history to technology, through culture, places and monuments, spirituality, sports, nature ... etc.. In addition to rich and well-documented texts, these books will be, like the first issue "Magical Rabat", illustrated with photos. In addition to bookstores, "Les Magiques" are intended to furnish rooms and reception areas of hotels, travel agencies ... etc., a contribution of MAP to the promotion of national tourism. 24 After "Magical Rabat", other books will follow to highlight the assets of cities that have written glorious pages of the history of the Kingdom, such as Fez, Meknes, Casablanca, Tangier, Tetouan, Marrakech, Agadir, Laayoune, Dakhla, Oujda, etc. Sixth FAAPA General Assembly Kicks Off in Rabat The sixth General Assembly (GA) of the Atlantic Federation of African Press Agencies (FAAPA) opened on October 6 in Rabat, with the participation of several heads of African agencies and experts and specialists in media and communication. The two-day GA was informed of the FAAPA activity Report, the 2022-2023 action Plan and the Report on the 8th Executive Board Meeting held in Dakar (Senegal). It discussed the report and statistics on the website of the Federation and approved the financial Report, the Regulation of FAAPA Grand Prix, the Amendment of the Statutes of the Federation, and elected the members of the FAAPA Executive Board. In addition, the General Assembly marked by the presentation of FAAPA 2020-2021 Grand Prix for the best article, best video report and best photo, as well as the signing of several partnership and cooperation agreements. The programme included the organization of a seminar under the theme "Post-Covid: Challenges and opportunities for African news agencies". Created in 2014 on the sidelines of the 1st Atlantic and West African News Agencies Forum in Casablanca, FAAPA is an essential milestone for the modernization of information and a professional platform that allows Africans to share their experiences and know-how in the field of news agencies. MAP DG Holds Talks with EU Ambassador in Rabat Director General of the Moroccan News Agency (MAP), Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, held talks, on September 16 in Rabat, with the EU Ambassador to Morocco, Patricia Llombart Cussac. The meeting was an opportunity for both parties to have an overview of the regional and international news and to review the depth of the links and the solidity of the partnership uniting Morocco and the European Union. Mr. Hachimi Idrissi took this opportunity to highlight the place Morocco enjoys today on the international and regional scene as an actor of peace and co-development hub of the African continent. He emphasized in this regard the need for Europe -- a region concerned today by several issues related to defense and energy security-- not to forget its southern neighborhood with whom it can build a space of shared prosperity. Morocco, thanks to the vision of HM King Mohammed VI, the structural reforms it has undertaken in various fields, the resilience and great adaptability of its economy and 25 the institutional stability it enjoys, has all the assets to be the pivot of this space, MAP's DG said. Referring to the prospects for development of the press sector in Morocco, Mr. Hachimi Idrissi stressed that in a context marked by the proliferation of electronic media and the scourge of citizen-journalism, the profession is experiencing a decline in ethics and a collapse of its economic model. He called, in that regard, for an Awakening and for a strategic vision developed by the profession itself that would get the sector out of this situation. For her part, the EU diplomat welcomed the excellent level of partnership with Morocco, praising the reforms carried out in the Kingdom under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI in many areas. "The European Union is a privileged partner of Morocco. It accompanies the Kingdom in the implementation of many projects," she told M24, MAP's 24-hour news channel. "The partnership between Morocco and the EU is enriched by history, culture, human ties, but also important economic exchanges. The two countries have a shared vision of the future," Llombart Cussac stated, adding that the challenges facing Europe today in terms of defense and energy security, in particular, require a new perspective on the partnership with the southern neighborhood. "The war in Ukraine, the energy crisis, food security, climate: all these are challenges that require greater solidarity and stronger cooperation," she said, noting that Morocco and the European Union have enormous opportunities to develop a triangular partnership with Africa turned to the future, especially in the energy transition. Regarding press and media, the diplomat recalled that the European Commission has recently adopted new legislation that consists of a set of rules to protect pluralism, transparency and independence of the media within the EU. The European Commission will soon launch a support and training program for the Moroccan media to which MAP could contribute, she noted. Tangier: Khalil Hachimi Idrissi Presents 'MAP, a Certain History of Morocco 1959-2020' Book Director General of the Moroccan News Agency (MAP), Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, presented, on September 9 at the American Legation in Tangier, the book "MAP, a certain history of Morocco 1959-2020". This meeting, organized by the Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies (TALIM), in partnership with Lions Club Morocco, in the presence of personalities from the worlds of culture, publishing, media and scientific research, was an opportunity to present this work of MAP, which was received with great interest, curiosity and benevolence by the audience. 26 This 600-page book, published in 2021, offers a valuable insight into the history of contemporary Morocco through the prism of MAP's news articles. It addresses a multitude of themes, including political pluralism as an irreversible choice of the Moroccan state, economic openness, water management, the Green Morocco Plan, the new professions promoted by the Emergence Plan, the fundamental role of the Commandery of the Faithful, cultural diversity and the Kingdom's international policy. Accompanied by a selection of photographs, the publication looks back at the high points and pivotal periods in the Kingdom's history, which the Agency's journalists have both witnessed and reported on. Speaking on this occasion, Hachimi Idrissi said he was pleased to present this work in a magical place full of history and memory before a knowledgeable audience, recalling that this historic building has played a key role in strengthening relations between Morocco and the United States. MAP Director General said that this book presents a specific reading of the history of Morocco, extending from the late 50s of the last century to the year 2020, through the news articles of the Agency and the pens of its journalists who are the historians of everyday life. "This publication has institutionalized this work of historical documentation of everyday life and presented to the public a panoramic view on the evolution of the political, social and cultural landscape of Morocco, which may be of interest to researchers and historians," he said, noting that the purpose of this colossal work is to restore the contemporary history of Morocco day by day, without any commentary, through real facts. The book offers readers a database grouped in a single publication, to present to future generations a new scientific and well documented reading of the contemporary history of Morocco, he said. "This book gives a result that amazes people by its density, but also by the fact that it offers a panoptic vision on a state that is being built, a democracy that is deepening, a society that is opening up, and a nation that shows in a brilliant way the fact that it belongs to a very great civilization," said Hachimi Idrissi, in a statement to M24, the continuous news channel of MAP, adding: "only civilized countries, sure of their history and identity can engage in exercises of this type and write their histories with verifiable facts on which there is a consensus, but whose analysis and interpretation is free". MAP Director General noted that this publication has the merit of being a corpus offered to historians, history professionals and academics to make a history of it with a scientific approach. For his part, director of Virgule Editions, Hamid Abbou, stressed that this meeting is an opportunity to discuss the plan of this publication and how to tell the story of Morocco from MAP news articles, describing as "very interesting" this book, since it has reported the contemporary history of the Kingdom in all objectivity. 27 Director of the American Legation, Jennifer Rasamimanana, said she was delighted to welcome a great man like MAP Director General, who comes to present an excellent book telling the history of Morocco, through the Agency's news articles. This event was also an opportunity for MAP Director General to present his collection of poetry entitled "Erratic anthology", published in 2022 by Virgule Editions, and to read some of his poems to the delight of the public, namely "the law of unlove", "the sublime hypocrite", "the small path" and "XL". On this occasion, the writer and journalist Khalil Hachimi Idrissi signed and dedicated the book "MAP, a certain history of Morocco 1959-2020" and his collection of poems. -----------------------------------------------
24/10/2022 19:31, TUNIS/Tunisia (TAP) - Tunisian films are among the 200 Mediterranean films on the agenda of the 44th edition of the International Festival of Mediterranean Cinema in Montpellier (Cinemed), France, which runs from October 21 to 29, 2022. Youssef Chebbi's first feature film Ashkal is among a selection of 9 films in the Feature Film Competition. Ashkal is a Tunisian-French co-production of Supernova Films (France), with Blast Film (Tunisia) and Poetik Film (France). International sales are handled by The Party Film Sales. The film will be distributed in France in January 2023 by Jour2Fte Distribution. This drama had its world premiere at the 54th edition of the Directors' Fortnight, a non-competitive independent section of the Cannes Film Festival scheduled from May 17 to 28, 2022. Recently, the film received a grant from the Saudi Red Sea Fund, financed by the Red Sea Festival Foundation. The jury chaired by the duo Rachida Brakni - Eric Cantona is composed of Delphine Gleize and Chlo Mazlo (directors) and Piers Faccini (musician). It will award the festival's grand prize to one of the films in the running for the Antigone d'or 2022. Gardien des Mondes by Lela Chabi (1h31', 2021) is in the documentary competition which includes 8 films competing for the Prix Ulysse Decipro-Montpellier Mditerrane Mtropole. This second feature film by the director, initially a cameraman, is a co-production between Tunisia, France and Qatar. Under the Fig Trees (1h32) by Erige Sehiri is scheduled among a selection of films in preview. Under the Fig Trees is the film that will represent Tunisia at the 95th Academy Awards, in the International Feature Film category.
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Agence France-Presse (AFP) is now delivering breaking news stories and long-form journalism in English on the Bloomberg Terminal. Based in Paris, AFP is known around the world for its rapid, reliable, and complete coverage of general news, politics, global business and finance. "This arrangement is another valuable recognition of the quality work done by AFP journalists around the world" said Phil Chetwynd, global news director for AFP. "We remain focused on the continued addition of global news sources like AFP to the Bloomberg Terminal," said Ted Merz, Global Head of News Product at Bloomberg. "Providing our clients with real-time news and information through our aggregated news services delivers valuable intelligence to help support their strategies." AFP has journalists in 151 countries, producing original multi-media content in English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese and Arabic. Along with its regional HQs in cities such as Hong Kong and Washington, it also has staff operating from permanent bureaus in capitals such as Kabul, Tehran and Pyongyang where virtually every other news organization is absent. Despite its European roots, it has carved out a reputation for its boots-on-the-ground reporting in some of the most neglected parts of the world - in particular in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. It was the first independent media organization to enter Ethiopia's northern Tigray region after conflict erupted there in November 2020 with a government offensive to topple the regional ruling party. AFP scooped the top prize in the News category in last week's Rory Peck awards for its video coverage of the conflict. In build-up to the recent COP26 summit in Glasgow, it commissioned dozens of long-form reportages, including sending a team of text, photo and video journalists into the heart of the Amazon where they spent a month chronicling the impact of climate change on the world's largest rainforest. Another team travelled to the Arctic in Sweden's far north to describe the potentially devastating impact for the planet as permafrost melts below the earth's surface. Its reputation for delivering straight news without bias has won it a wide-ranging client base around the world and it has also become an industry leader for fact-checking, as well as a major actor on digital verification, part of the battle against online disinformation. --------------------------------------------
The Cuban authorities reinstated the accreditations of three journalists from the EFE team in Cuba, which were withdrawn in November, a decisive step towards the normalisation of the Spanish agency's journalistic activity on the island. The International Press Centre (CPI) took this step following a meeting in Havana of its senior officials with a delegation from the Spanish public media. The Cuban authorities also assured that in the next few days the press visa for the new EFE bureau chief in Havana, which had been requested in September, will be processed. When these two press visas are delivered, EFE will regain the reporting capacity it had at the beginning of last year, with seven working journalists (a delegate, three editors, two photographers and a cameraman). The Cuban government withdrew accreditations from five of the agency's journalists on 13 November and reinstated two the following day.
Latin America is a "treasure" for Spain's EFE news agency, which is looking to maintain its position and boost its capacity to grow in the region, the organization's President Gabriela Caňas said Friday. The agency is also looking to reach new deals with companies in the region with a remit in environmental causes and health, Caňas added during a meeting of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) as part of a monthly conference. This new initiative, called EANA Xchange, was opened last month by the Turkish news agency Anadolu. Caňas was the first of the EANA member agencies' Presidents to address the platform.
EFE's Environment newsroom, EFEverde, has received the Spanish Medal of Merit for Civil Protection 2021, which rewards collaboration in emergency situations. The award, which has also been received by other Spanish institutions, was presented at a ceremony chaired by the Spanish Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska. These medals are awarded to people or institutions that in the past year have carried out outstanding acts in the prevention and control of emergency situations or have collaborated significantly with the Spanish National Civil Protection System. EFEverde received the medal, which was received by its director, Arturo Larena, "for its contribution to the creation of a culture of prevention" in the face of disasters and in favour of sustainable development.
Agencia EFE and Casa de America in Madrid reaffirmed their commitment to Latin America, with the renewal of the collaboration agreement between the two institutions, which began almost a decade ago, and which has its maximum exponent in the celebration each year of the King of Spain International Journalism Awards, the most important in the region. The director of Casa de America, Enrique Ojeda Vila, and the president of Agencia EFE, Gabriela Caňas, signed the agreement to continue working on informative activities that promote knowledge of the member countries of the Ibero-American Community of Nations in the fields of economics, business, society and culture. 6 "The collaboration between Casa de America and EFE is an asset that has grown over the years, we are twinned institutions in our goal of working for and with Ibero-America," said Caňas during the signing ceremony. Agencia EFE has unveiled a new logo with the aim of renewing its corporate image, highlighting its position as an international media company, and reflecting a strong, dynamic and modern vision that represents its values and identity: objectivity, accuracy, credibility and impartiality. This is the fourth logo change since Agencia EFE was founded 83 years ago. EFE President Gabriela Caňas believes the change "has been a natural process that makes the current image clearer and easier to read". "It is the result of an evolution, of a need to modernize Agencia EFE's image and make the brand even more recognisable and visible," she said.
The King of Spain International Journalism Prizes on Wednesday recognized the work of Spanish and Portuguese journalists across Latin America and their important coverage of social movements, the environment and humanitarian work. The report "The broken promise: the collapse of social security in Venezuela" published on the Prodavinci news site won the prize for International Cooperation and Humanitarian Action Journalism. Photographer Cesar Luis Melgarejo Aponte scooped the International Photography Journalism award for his photograph "Resistir" ("Resist") published in Colombia's El Tiempo newspaper. The report "The Assassination of the president of Haiti" broadcast on Colombian TV programme Noticias Caracol won the Narrative Journalism Award "for sharing exclusive information about the assassination of Jovenel Moise in 2021". Spanish non-profit organization Civio was awarded with the Ibero-American Media award for its work based on "transparency, data veracity and accountability". The report "Daughter of Cotton: A Profile of Cristina Rivera Garza", published in the Mexican magazine Gatopardo, was awarded with the Cultural Journalism prize "for its ability to reflect on the contribution of Hispanics to the creation of the culture of the United States." Finally, the Environmental Journalism award was given to the report "Engolindo Fumaca" ("Swallowing Smoke") on the health effects of forest fires published in InfoAmazonia of Brazil. 7 Created by Spain's news agency EFE and the country's agency for international cooperation and development (AECID) in 1983, the annual media awards recognize some of the leading work done by Spanish and Portuguese-speaking journalists. The jury for this 39th edition of the prize ceremony selected media outlets and reporters from 17 Ibero-
The president of EFE, Gabriela Caňas, and the general director of the Gabo Foundation, Jaime Abello, have signed a protocol of intentions to bring the EFE School to Latin America. During her visit to Bogota, Caňas said it was "an honor to sign the agreement, which is just the beginning of a great friendship," insisting it does not amount to an "empty statement of intent". Abello thanked Caňas for "the decision to invite the Gabo Foundation and the University of the North (in Baranquilla) to taking advantage of all the potential that the EFE School of Journalism has", particularly because both are "friends" and "share many sympathies and common interests". With the signing of the agreement, EFE and the Gabo Foundation seek to promote the training and academic model that the agency has already deployed in Spain, with Colombia being the benchmark for the rest of the Americas. "It is something that I have been thinking about since I arrived at EFE. The Gabo Foundation is legendary, and the exchange between journalists from different countries is fundamental", so "this school is going to be something very positive", said the president of the Spanish agency, who also indicated that they will seek to add "other institutions" to achieve "much better results". For the time being, EFE and the Gabo Foundation have teamed up with the Universidad de Norte, which is based in the Colombian city of Barranquilla, and will host the first activities under the agreement. "Free and quality journalism is fundamental to progress", added Caňas. "Now more than ever, the ongoing training of journalists is essential, because the challenges we face are more complex".
Combating fake news is one of the main challenges for journalism in the digital age, according to what several experts said at a forum organized by Agencia EFE, Spain's international news agency, in Mexico City. 8 "Working with fake news is almost a must, and that makes it necessary to train journalists and citizens," said Gabriela Caňas, the president of Agencia EFE, at the Dialogos EFE forum titled "Journalism in the Mass Disinformation Age."
Spain's Efe news agency signed a deal with Mexico's Public Broadcasting System (SPR) to combat fake news and disinformation. The president of Efe, Gabriela Caňas, and president of SPR, Jenaro Villamil, signed the agreement during a ceremony held at the Museum of Memory and Tolerance in Mexico City. "Alliances like this make us stronger to fight against fake news and to safeguard citizens' right to truthful and quality information," Caňas said. Efe's president added the agreement would strengthen public media as well as Ibero-American society as a whole. "Journalism not only tells the truth but also dismantles lies," Villamil said. "Efe is the most important Spanish-speaking agency in the world. I believe that this alliance will also help the system and we hope that the agency will benefit from what we can offer in television, radio and expertise services," he added. In 2019, Efe launched a data verification service to respond to the increase in hoaxes and disinformation with the aim of training Latin American journalists on disinformation.
Gabriela Caňas, the president of Agencia EFE, Spain's international news agency, emphasized the "high level" of Colombian journalism, noting that Colombian press personnel have won the most Rey de Espaňa International Awards of any nation: 47. "You have a very high level that makes the rest of us a bit shy. Regarding the journalism awards that we give every year, the Rey de Espaňa Awards, which have been given for 39 years, the country with the most awards in history has always been Colombia," said Caňas at a luncheon in Bogota with media directors from the Andean nation. In the 2022 edition of the prizes presented by Agencia EFE, Colombia received two of the prestigious awards: the one for best work in Narrative Journalism for "The assassination of the president of Haiti," by Noticias Caracol, headed by Ricardo 9 Calderon, and the one for Best Photography, for the image "Resistir" by photographer Cesar Melgarejo, published in the daily El Tiempo.
EFE's president Gabriela Caňas explained the importance of the EFEComunica business line launched in 2020 to help companies generate new informative content that explains corporate responsibility projects and their contribution to sectors such as the environment, equality and health. "EFE feels comfortable with companies that believe in transparency and, of course, that believe in a free press," said Caňas in Mexico City. "We do not want to settle for the spreading of press releases, more or less elaborated on by the newsroom. We want to help companies communicate with customers, connect emerging markets, or help attract more investors and business," she added. "EFEComunica is already working as a crucial unit in charge of organizing events or products on demand, but it is working above all as an agitator of public debate, be it on European recovery funds, or on new techniques in the fight against cancer, or the promotion of sport and the desire to excel." At the meeting, Intel Mexico Country Manager Santiago Cardona said that the role of EFE is important because it helps to understand the role of companies like his, which is the largest semiconductor manufacturer in the world. He recalled that Intel recently announced an investment of more than 80 billion euros in the European Union. These investments, he added, will come to Spain to expand its manufacturing capacity but also in research and development. Referring to the Spain-Mexico relationship, Marco Antonio Soto, managing director of Ainvest, stated that Spanish investors "continue to turn to Mexico as a very interesting country to invest in (...) We want to be a part of this country's growth." More and more companies, he added, "seek to set foot in Spain to look at Europe," and the trade balance is "very balanced between the two countries." American countries spanning topics ranging from humanitarian, social, cultural and environmental.
Madrid, Mar 16 (EFE) - Agencia Efe has decided to resume from today its informative activity in Russia, after analyzing the content and the consequences for the journalistic work of the new Russian law that foresees fines and prison sentences for 10 disseminating what the authorities may consider "false information" in relation to the war in Ukraine. The Spanish news agency temporarily ceased its reporting activity from Russia on March 5, as some international media had previously done. The new Russian legislation also targets "public actions" aimed at calls for sanctions against Russia and discrediting the performance of the Russian army. EFE opened its permanent office in Moscow in 1970 and since then has never interrupted its journalistic activity in this key capital for global information, from where the Agency also coordinates the coverage of news related to the former Soviet republics. --------------------------------------------
The Gender Parity Committee of the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) has launched 'SOS ecoute'; a special phone service intended to welcome the calls of the agency's staff, men and women alike, who are going through a difficult period in their professional or personal lives. With this initiative, MAP is seeking to provide a safe haven to support its employees and help them overcome difficult situations, enhance their well-being and promote their empowerment. This initiative, which will contribute to the improvement of the professional environment, is being implemented in collaboration with the MAP Foundation. A contract will be signed with two psychologists, one male and one female, who can be called upon by the MAP Gender Committee to assist staff, if needed.
The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) received an award on February 26 in Essaouira, during a ceremony organized in honor of several personalities and national and foreign institutions, which have stood out in various fields in 2021. The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) received an award on Saturday evening in Essaouira, during a ceremony organized in honor of several personalities and national and foreign institutions, which have stood out in various fields in 2021. During this event, organized by a private company operating in the field of media, together with the International Center for Legal and Institutional Activities, the Provincial Council of Essaouira and other partners, an award was presented to MAP, on behalf of its Director General, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, as a sign of recognition of the efforts made by this pioneering national institution and its constant commitment to ensure its leadership role on the national, continental, regional and international media scenes in a continuously changing context. This distinction is also an eloquent testimony, by the organizers, of their gratitude for the unfailing commitment and the colossal and professional work accomplished by MAP throughout the year 2021, which has imposed itself as an agency of the 21st century and asserted itself as an irreversible and unavoidable real-time source of information. During this event, which blew its 4th candle this year, other prizes were also awarded to several institutions and national personalities who have marked the past year, namely the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans abroad, Nasser Bourita, the Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family, Aouatif Hayar, the Secretary General of the Department of Environment and Sustainable Development, Mohamed Benyahiya, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Redouane Arach, the Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, President of the Public Prosecutor's Office, El Hassan Daki, the member of the High Council of the Judiciary, Younes Zouhri, the former Moroccan ambassador to Norway in Iceland, Lamia Radi, the Secretary General of the Rabita Mohammedia of Ulemas, Ahmed Abbadi, the President of the Communal Council of Marrakech, Fatima Zohra El Mansouri and Salwa Idrissi Akhannouch and Meyrem Bensalah as businesswomen. The winners also include the artist Hamid Bouchnak, the assistant coach of the national soccer team, Mustapha Hajji, the athlete Soufiyane El Bekkali, the president of the Moroccan Federation of Newspaper Publishers (FMEJ), Noureddine Miftah, the director of production at the TV channel One minute TV and the digital expert, Fadoua Kamal. An array of foreign personalities were also awarded prizes on this occasion, such as the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates in Rabat, Al Asri Saeed Ahmed Aldhaheri, the dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in Morocco and Ambassador of Cameroon, Mohammedou Youssoufou and the Secretary General of the Council of the Jewish community of Morocco, Serge Berdugo. At the local level, other awards were given to the cell of fight against COVID-19 at the provincial delegation of health and to the commander of the Royal Gendarmerie company in Essaouira, Abderrahim Jouhari. In a speech, the chairman of the organizing committee, Youssef El Mourih, highlighted the importance of this event which aims to enshrine the culture of recognition and gratitude to all those who have rendered valuable services and contributed to the influence of Morocco both nationally and internationally, under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI. He also expressed his conviction that this culture will remain the breadcrumb trail of the action taken by the organizers in the service of the Kingdom's interests, recalling that a tribute was paid to about 300 people and institutions during the previous editions of this event which is in its fourth edition. 12 This initiative is, moreover, a contribution to consolidate this culture of recognition at the level of Essaouira as a city of coexistence, sharing and living together, he added. For their part, officials and personalities among the recipients of these awards, present at this ceremony, welcomed the organization of this event, while welcoming this kind of commendable and highly symbolic initiatives that tend to anchor this culture of recognition, celebrating personalities and institutions for their efforts and their actions, each in its field, for the development and influence of the Kingdom.
"M24" and "RIM Radio", the continuous news television and radio of the Moroccan News Agency (MAP), enjoy considerable assets and present a unique project of "Hard News" which aims to repatriate the Moroccan audience, said the director general of MAP, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, who animated, on February 19 in Sale, a day of study devoted to these two new media and their mode of governance. This study day brought together MAP DG and the Board of Directors of the Agency with all the staff (journalists, engineers, technicians ...) working at "M24" and "RIM Radio", for a frank and serious moment of exchange and sharing on the main issues that concern these two new media and their daily management. Hailing the rigor and professionalism of "M24" and "RIM Radio" teams, and MAP journalists in general, Hachimi Idrissi highlighted the importance of human capital in the success of this "natural media development" of the Agency, but also the latest IP technology acquired by MAP for the launch of "M24" and "RIM Radio", which makes them two leading media in Morocco, Africa and the MENA region with this type of technology. MAP DG took this opportunity to emphasize the road traveled and the achievements, but also the future challenges to continue on the path of excellence and success, and ensure the continued success of the Agency's both media. Hachimi Idrissi stressed, in this context, the need to preserve and respect the ethics and professional conduct of the profession of journalist, while recalling the various achievements at MAP. He also highlighted the important role of the various departments of the Agency in the success of this colossal project, which rely on a network of 300 journalists spread across the different regions of the Kingdom and in the four corners of the world, to ensure a rich, diverse, safe and credible information. "MAP is no longer an old-fashioned Agency to which some want to confine it but is a modern news Agency 360," said Hachimi who, to continue on the path of improving the working environment at the Agency, committed to two key points: "the establishment of a policy of retention of staff by offering attractive career 13 opportunities" and "the fight against all forms of harassment, injustice or illegitimate pressure that may sometimes exist".On this last point, the Committee of parity of the Agency, with a dedicated phone number, will have a central role to play through listening, support and search for solutions to problems that may face the staff of MAP, the goal being to break the silence and establish a culture of listening, welfare and living together among all staff, noted Hachimi Idrissi. In a statement to "M24", Broadcast Director of the channel, Noujoum Dabssi, said that this study day, which has the theme "What governance for the media of MAP?", provided an opportunity to share with all stakeholders in M24 and RIM Radio the performance achieved so far and the challenges to ensure the optimal success of the Agency's projects. The Directorate of Information has accompanied "M24" and "RIM radio" since the emergence of the idea, until the design and implementation phase, noted, for his part, the Chief information Officer, Mohamed Rida Braim, in a similar statement. For Braim, the Directorate of Information will continue to accompany the development and the rise of these two services, through the production of a rich, professional and diversified content, the training of journalists of the two media in journalistic techniques, as well as the guarantee of the necessary resources, within the framework of a policy of mutualization of efforts with the Media Directorate. In the same vein, Media Director, Hicham Lakhal, said that this meeting was an opportunity to praise the efforts made by journalists of the Agency that led to the birth of "M24" and "RIM Radio" in a media landscape that needed it.
The platform "Dib News" was crowned, in the evening of February 18, in the national competition "My initiative for life" 2022, organized by the National Road Safety Agency (NARSA), on the occasion of the National Road Safety Day, to reward actions and initiatives on this theme. The achievement of the platform "Dib News" of the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) took place during a special evening on the prevention of traffic accidents (2022 edition), broadcast by the channel "2M" and dedicated to the celebration of the qualifiers to this contest in the categories of Road Education, Civil Society and Good Practices, Road Safety within companies and professional environments, Invention & Innovation, Communication and Awareness and Songs and musical works. "Dib News" participated in this new edition, competing in the category "Communication and Awareness", with an awareness film with real scenes of the young Moroccan "Jihad Karmat", victim of a traffic accident. 14 This film aims to raise awareness of the dangers of the road as well as the possible repercussions of an accident, by sending a direct message to citizens on the importance of respecting the rules of the road. The platform "Dib News", represented in this national competition by the journalist Fatima Zahra Aboudine, with the support of content producer Amine Aouni, tends through this film to make known the experience of the young "Jihad Karmat" to the general public. MAP had launched, on February 1, 2021, "Dib News" with the ambition to become a reference media for young people aged between 15 and 35 years. It aims to highlight social and human experiences, encourage content creators and support movements of ideas, modern currents, while prioritizing contemporary art namely the visual arts, music, literature, photography, theatre and cinema.
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Merve Berker | 24.01.2022 3
ANKARA The jury for the Istanbul Photo Awards 2022, organized this year for the eighth time by Anadolu Agency, Turkiye's premier news source, has been announced. This year's jury for the prestigious international photo contest includes NOOR Agency photojournalist Yuri Kozyrev, Reuters photojournalist Goran Tomasevic, visual storyteller Marion Mertens, AFP Former Photo Business Development Director Michel Scotto, Getty Images Chief Sports Photojournalist Cameron Spencer, photojournalist Ahmet Sel, and Firat Yurdakul, the editor-in-chief of Anadolu Agency's Visual News Department. National Geographic photographer and filmmaker Ami Vitale, who has worked in more than 100 countries, and photojournalist Carol Guzy, who has over 40 years of experience in the field of photography, joined the jury this year. Guzy is respected for her work in many places around the world, from Africa to the Balkans, since starting in the photography business in 1980. Specializing in long-term projects in the fields of documentary, human interest, news and feature stories, Guzy is currently a contract photographer with ZUMA Press. In addition to being the first photojournalist to win the Pulitzer Prize four times, Guzy has won numerous other international awards. "Photographers should consider entering this prestigious competition. Awards bring recognition and give images a second life," she said. "With a newfound awareness of the critical impact of climate change on the environment, the addition of the new nature category is immensely relevant." She added: "Cash prizes and camera offer assistance for future photographic endeavors." Vitale, who has devoted half of her professional life to publicizing to the world what is happening in international war zones, has recently been working on compelling wildlife stories. A National Geographic photographer and member of the Advisory Board of Photographers, Vitale is actively involved in organizations aimed at protecting wildlife habitats. The photographer, who often shares her experiences in talks and workshops programs, has racked up six World Press Photo awards along with many international awards. The jury of the contest, which attracts hundreds of entries from professional photographers worldwide annually, will meet online on March 17-19. 4 The winners will be announced at the end of March after the selection process, done through a platform specially prepared for the contest by Anadolu Agency's dedicated tech team. Information on all the jury members, all of whom are prestigious members of the world of photography, can be accessed at istanbulphotoawards.com/Jury. Deadline for entries Feb. 15 Applications are open for professional photographers until Feb. 15, via istanbulphotoawards.com. Participants can apply with photographs concerning the year 2021 in seven different categories: Single News, Story News, Single Sports, Story Sports, Single Nature and Environment, Canon Story Daily Life, and Story Portrait. The winner of the Photo of the Year - the Single News category first prize winner - will be awarded $6,000. The winners in other categories will be awarded $3,000 for first prize, $1,500 for second prize, and $1,000 for third. Only first place will be awarded in the Story Daily Life and Story Portrait categories. In addition to the awards, this year the winners of Single News and Story Sports will receive Canon EOS R3 camera, while winners of other categories will be awarded Canon EOS R5 cameras. This year the contest is supported by Canon, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), and Turkish Airlines, the nation's flag carrier.
Gamze Turkoglu Oguz | 14.10.2021 ANKARA
In his presentation, Ozhan said the world has been increasingly affected by environmental disasters such as floods, wildfires, and air pollution, as well as climate change, and that news agencies had a responsibility to inform the public and raise awareness on issues related to the environment. 5 Environmental crises have already become the most critical issue affecting the lives of millions of people, said Ozhan, presenting the platform created by Anadolu Agency to members of the press attending the conference in the Norwegian capital Oslo. Ozhan said Anadolu Agency will hold a two-day international forum in 2022 as part of the Environment Platform.
Leaders and industry representatives will attend the panel discussions that will be held as part of the forum, aiming to increase social awareness by improving environmental communication in the media. Participants of the forum will discuss climate pressure in the media, the countries' commitments to environmental crises and the media's approach toward them, Turkey's role in combating the global environmental crisis, climate transformation in sectors that cause global warming, the refugee crisis caused by climate change, discriminatory practices in the perspective of climate justice and human rights, environmental policies, and "climate capitalism," said Ozhan. As part of his visit to Oslo, Ozhan paid a visit to Turkey's Ambassador to Norway Fazli Corman on Wednesday, and informed him about the agency's work and projects in the new term. MINDS International was founded as a registered society in September 2007, following an earlier European Union co-funded project. MINDS is a non-profit organization, aimed to support the global digitization of media and the development of innovative media services that are relevant for the public. *Writing by Busra Nur Cakmak
Media organizations have mission in context of climate change as their output educates masses, says Anadolu Agency's editor-in-chief Ali Murat Alhas | 15.01.2022
ANKARA Climate change stands as one of the most serious global threats faced by the humanity and it is crucial to realize the interaction between news organizations as it would contribute significantly to combat the threat, said Anadolu Agency Deputy Director General and Editor-in-Chief Yusuf Ozhan. Ozhan's remarks came at a virtual seminar, EANA Xchange, organized by the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA). He gave a presentation, titled Climate and Agency Journalism, and commented on the crucial role media organizations play with regards to the environmental journalism. "Climate change is arguably one of the most serious global threats the humanity is facing and we should limit the increase in the average temperature of the globe with 1.5 degrees Celsius to avoid catastrophic consequences," he said. The climate change affects lives all around the world and human beings across the globe have been affected indiscriminately, he said, adding no country could turn a blind eye to the issue. While disasters stemming from climate change such as massive fires worldwide, loss of biodiversity and extinctions of species stand as some of the observed troubles, the 7 UN reports estimated that the water shortage would pose a threat to one of every four people in the near future as well as the air pollution, he said. "We are under attack in all directions by varying degrees but none are exempt from the effects of climate change," he warned. Citing a study which indicated that about 50% of people get environment-related news from TV channels and other broadcasting bodies, he said: "The public is getting news and half of public are getting educated from our outputs, so we stand on a very critical place and considering the importance of our role as news agencies in shaping the content, it is crucial to realize the interaction between us." "It is vital for us to see our environment and climate news play a determining role in the solutions to problems," he said. As Anadolu Agency is having a "deep sensitivity" to the climate change and environmental changes, it is going to establish an environment editorial unit, according to Ozhan, who said the output would be served free of charge to the subscribers as the organization viewed it as a "public duty." "The climate crisis is something that we believe we have to make accessible as much as we can and the outputs of the environment desk will be on website, it will be at arms-length for everyone who are interested in," he said. Furthermore, Anadolu Agency is preparing to hold Environment Forum in 2022 to raise global awareness on issues related to the environment and climate change where professionals and journalists will come together to discuss the issue of climate change, Ozhan added. EANA Xchange is an online platform for EANA members aimed at constant information sharing as part of rapid digital transformation. The platform is going to hold a series of monthly video seminars in 2022. Each session will focus on a special topic chosen by a member news agency and a presentation will be given on that topic. The participants will have the opportunity to exchange views. ---------------------------
Agence France-Presse, a global leader in digital investigation, has partnered with local media company and researchers to launch a website on Wednesday combatting disinformation in Hungary. The site, lakmusz.hu, is the first of its kind in Hungary. Co-funded by the European Union, the project is expected to last 15 months initially. Under the deal, AFP is cooperating with local media organisation, the acclaimed news site 444.hu, as well as a Media Univeralis Foundation -- a Hungarian university foundation linked to the Budapest-based Lorand Eotvos University. AFP brings its know-how to train local journalists, helping them to develop their own digital verification production. It is also contributing to fact-check production in Hungary that feeds into the common website dedicated to the project. The public can also access this site that allow them to familiarise themselves with digital verification. "This project co-funded by the European Commission constitutes a new recognition of AFP's qualities in the area of digital verification in the world. We are proud to be participating in this innovative initiative to help in the fight against disinformation in Europe, a major challenge for our democracies," said AFP Global News Director Phil Chetwynd. (AFP) AFP and Magyar Jeti Zrt, the publisher of 444.hu, Qubit,hu and Lakmusz.hu will work closely with their university partner, which will handle research work on the issue of disinformation and the ways to deal with them. The main idea will be to allow media practitioners and researchers to tap on their respective experiences to develop a culture of combating disinformation in the country. To this end, a conference on the subject in Hungary as well as several activities aimed at the Hungarian public are also planned. ---------------------------
The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) and the Turkish News Agency Anadolu Agency (AA) signed an agreement on Monday for deepening co-operation and exchanging information. The agreement was signed in the premises of the Center for Openness and Dialogue at the government building by ATA Director General, Valbona Zhupa, and the General Director, also the Chairman of the Board of Anadolu Agency, Serdar Karagoz. According to the agreement signed by Zhupa and Karagoz, the two news agencies will closely cooperate in following and covering the visits of leaders and official delegations from both countries, as well as in covering news and disseminating information on other activities that will take place in the Republic of Albania or in the Republic of Turkey. ATA and AA are among the oldest news agencies in the Balkans and as such their archives contain valuable documents that have enriched the respective information. The Albanian Telegraphic Agency and the Turkish Anadolu Agency have maintained their communication for years drawing on permanent exchanges of information.
At the invitation of the Emirates news agency, WAM, the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Director General, Valbona Zhupa, paid an official visit to Dubai to visit the "Expo 2020 Dubai" world fair where Albania is participating with its pavilion "Albania a Timeless Trip." This visit was made as part of the coverage and news reporting by the Albanian Telegraphic Agency of this fair where Albania is participating alongside 190 countries from around the world. During her stay in Dubai, the director of ATA, Zhupa held a meeting with the General Director of the Emirates State News Agency, WAM, Mohamed Jalal Alrayssi, as well as with the Director of the Office of Communications and International Relations, Alli Yosef AlSaad. The interlocutors discussed the possibility of signing a memorandum of understanding between the Albanian Telegraphic Agency and the Emirates state news agency, WAM, on exchange of news, but also photos and videos in areas as diverse as economy, tourism, traditions, culture, etc. The director of ATA considered important the signing of such an agreement in the framework of intergovernmental cooperation between the two countries, citing the investment in the large project for the Port of Durres by the Dubai-based company "Emmar group." ---------------------------
Madrid 12 Jan 2022 Efe Agency President Gabriela Caňas said the multimedia news agency was mulling pulling out of Cuba after its journalists reported the government was attempting to "kick them out" by withdrawing their press accreditations. "They are kicking us out of Cuba. With only two journalists, we cannot keep up with the quality standards that Efe Agency has offered up until now in the country. It's a great shame," Caňas said at a breakfast working group in Madrid organized by Nueva Economia. Due to recent events, Caňas said the company was considering taking measures. "We are beginning to consider our presence on the island. We cannot exercise journalism freely," the president lamented. Despite the agency having no interest in leaving Cuba, the president said it may be necessary to "report from abroad." 10 Caňas added that the situation with the Cuban government had not been resolved despite diplomatic efforts from Madrid. This summer seven journalists were working in Havana, but now only two - an editor and a cameraman - have press accreditation. The agency began to face obstructions when the Cuban government delayed, without any explanation, the issuing of a press visa for a new correspondent who was appointed in July 2021 and who has not yet been able to enter the country. In November Cuba's International Press Center withdrew the press accreditations of all Efe workers in Cuba. "We ran out of witnesses on the island," Caňas added. Hours later, the CPI returned two accreditations to Efe journalists, but since then the situation has stalled. Havana assured that it would return the accreditations out of "goodwill" in November, but this has yet to happen. "We have asked them to let us work there a thousand times" to no avail, she said. Efe Agency, which launched almost five decades ago, covers "almost 50% of the news" published in Latin America about Cuba. Caňas guessed that it was "perhaps this resonance" that did not sit well with the Cuban government. Efe's president also discussed Radio Televisiỏn Espaňola -Spain's state-owned television and radio broadcaster - and Efe's intention to join forces on several projects looking to the future. "RTVE and Efe work well together, they have the technological and audiovisual capacity and we have a broad reach," Caňas said. "We have presence in 120 countries, we have around 500 journalists working abroad, so we are very complimentary, so much so that in some delegations, such as in Buenos Aires we already work together." As well as collaborating to strengthen both companies' news coverage, RTVE and Efe will synchronize efforts to forge a pioneering public college of journalism. EFE
Madrid 17 Dec Hundreds of female mayors from Latin America have been invited to participate in a broad training program co-organized by the regional office of UN Women and Spain's Efe News Agency. The regional director of UN Women for the Americas and the Caribbean, Maria Noel Vaeza, and president of Efe, Gabriela Caňas, hosted the opening ceremony on Thursday. Fake news, inclusive language and crisis management were just some of the areas covered by the program which will resume in February with more workshops and debates. "It is essential for the recovery of the region to uplift the position of women in decision-making roles," Vaeza said. Women only make up 15% of mayors in the region and as such "an agenda that puts women at the center and gender issues in the mainstream is needed," she added. Targeting mayors, councilors and their advisory teams, the EFE-led training program aims to "facilitate access to strategic and practical tools to improve the management of communication strategies of women in local politics." "The normalization of female leadership requires the participation of the media (...) We need a critical mass capable of rapidly directing the collective gaze towards women leaders," Caňas said. Vaeza said that enhancing the role of women is especially important to recover from the pandemic, which has triggered a 5.8% contraction of the regional GDP - the largest in 120 years - and which "has especially affected women, who were set back by almost 13 years in labor market terms." In most Latin American countries (26), the percentage of elected female mayors is below 15%. Only Cuba (47.0%) and Nicaragua (42.5%) exceed the 30% threshold, according to the latest figures from the Division of Gender Affairs at the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. The regional office of UN Women and Efe Agency have teamed up in the past to address issues of global importance with a feminist approach. EFE
Madrid - 12 enero 2022 The EFE News agency will undertake this year a process of technological renewal and professional profiles in order to further develop its audiovisual transformation and redouble its commitment to Latin America and the structuring of the territory in Spain, reaching "even more" to the so-called "empty Spain". The president of EFE, Gabriela Caňas, referred to these projects of the first Spanish-language news agency in the world during a working breakfast organized by the Foro de la Nueva Comunicaciỏn, in Madrid, which was attended by numerous personalities. These changes at EFE will come hand in hand with the company's strategic plan, which is expected to be launched in the first quarter of this year. Caňas, a journalist with a long professional career, much of it with the Madrid daily El Pais, referred to EFE as "a jewel" and described it as a success for Spanish society to be able to count on a company that is an international leader in its sector, since competition in the field of information in Spanish is getting tougher every day. "We are not only the bridge between America and Europe, but we tell the world about Latin America", she insisted, explaining EFE's efforts to improve its position in the region. As an example of EFE's weight in that part of the world, Gabriela Caňas pointed out that "almost 50% of the news" published in Latin America about Cuba comes from EFE and referred to the agency's problems in reporting from the island due to the restrictions of the Government of Havana. The president of EFE also referred to the plans to increase revenues through the EFEComunica department, which aims to "accompany companies" in common objectives on issues such as sustainability, health or equality, in which the agency, as a public media, is committed and that "we assume as our own", she stressed. Another of the current issues addressed by Caňas was the relationship of the media with the big digital platforms, an issue that she considered is destined to be strengthened and that platforms such as Google "will become - she said - our great allies". "They are realizing -she added- that they have the technology but we the media have the credibility, the contrasted information and the quality controls. We are willing to negotiate with them". In this sense, she referred to EFEVerifica, "one of the most successful services of EFE", she said, and highlighted its growth potential, as well as the fact that this team of the agency, in charge of dismantling hoaxes and fake news, is already developing training actions for journalists verifiers in America and Africa. 13 https://agenciaefe.es/desayuno-informativo-tribuna-foro-nueva-comunicacion/
Madrid - 21 Jan 2022 Spain's drug addiction aid foundation (FAD) and Google on Thursday launched an initiative to help 27,000 young people between the ages of 8 and 18 to surf the internet safely. 'Surf the net' aims to combat misinformation on social media by teaching youngsters how to detect fake news online and surf the internet with knowledge, safety and criteria. Spain's Queen Letizia, who is also the honorary president of FAD, and fact-checking specialists from EFE Verifica unveiled the project on Thursday at an event at the Google campus in Madrid. "There is a lot of content online that does not go through editing or journalistic verification," head of EFE Verifica, Desirėe Garcia, said. This initiative will change youngsters' mindset to not believe everything that is presented to them online, Garcia added. Workshops will be provided for up to 8,000 school children between the ages of 8-12 as part of the 'Be Internet Awesome' program and 'Google Interland' online game. Meanwhile, youngsters between the ages of 12 to 18 will be provided with awareness-raising tools on how to identify false content. EFE -------------------------------------
The statistics of the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) in 2021 show a rich and varied production, all media included, with a strong presence of audiovisual products (M24 and RIM-Radio), in a context marked by the impact of the new coronavirus pandemic on various activities in Morocco and worldwide. Thus, MAP, as a public information pole, published a total of 290,638 news articles during the year 2021, against 272,714 in 2020, i.e. an increase of about 6%. 14 The categories "regions and society" and "economy and finance" occupied respectively 16.26% and 14.09%, while the information dealing with political, parliamentary, partisan and trade union news represented 10.57%, of the total production of the Agency in 2021. For their part, sports news occupied more than 11.86% of the total articles published during the same period, against 4.56% and 4.81% respectively for the "cultural and media" news and topics related to the environment. The coverage of international news accounted for 28.1% of the Agency's total output through MAP's extensive international network, while government activities occupied about 2%. The remaining categories accounted for 7.81%. In 2021, MAP continued to give importance to high value-added products such as video, audio, photo and infographics. As a result, video coverage totaled 2,938 stories (up 17%) and audio reached 2,942 (up 7%). MAP also produced 33,556 photographs (+6%) and 3,327 infographics, up 76.5% from 2020. In addition, the year 2021 saw the creation of a new specialized information website, namely "mapdata.ma", which offers diversified content based on news, surveys and statistical research. This platform comes to reinforce the panoply of websites that already counts the Agency and which attracted a large audience during this year. Thus, all the websites of MAP have recorded more than 7.39 million visits in 2021, with a particular craze for mapexpress.ma (more than 2.2 million visitors), mapnews.ma (more than 1.6 million visitors) and regional websites that have totaled more than 1.1 million visitors. As part of its strengthened presence on virtual platforms, the Agency recorded some 84,588 visitors to the various newsletters produced by the Agency in 2021. On social networks, MAP continued its presence with 6,325 posts on Facebook, 5,825 tweets, 271 posts on Instagram and 394 posts on LinkedIn. MAP posted a total of 12,544 pieces of content on these social networks in all formats (text, photo, video and audio).
2021 was also the year of consolidation of MAP's audiovisual production. Thus, RIM-Radio, the Agency's all-day news radio station, completed its live news sessions (six in number) to cover the entire day from 6:00 a.m. to midnight and launched several thematic programs. RIM-Radio received 264 guests during the year that ended, who contributed to the analysis and deciphering of the current events that marked the year. Regarding the production of podcasts, the website of RIM-Radio has seen the publication of 20,510 topics. 15 For its part, M24, MAP's 24-hour news channel, switched to live broadcasts in 2021 to present two news sessions of three hours each with replays. These live sessions brought together guests (experts, academics, officials, artists and writers ... etc.), who analyze and comment on the news of the day. They are 130 guests who have made a passage on the set of M24, since the launch of live in October. M24 has also launched several programs in 2021, such as "M Auto", the car magazine, "Aalam Shahrazade", which sheds light on the personal and professional lives of stars from various backgrounds, and "Bi kouli hodoue", a space for serene debate on political, economic, cultural, artistic and sports news. As for the social network accounts of M24TV and DIB News, the news website dedicated to young people, they recorded a total of 8,937 and 1,946 published contents respectively.
Regarding papers, MAP published 254 issues of its daily newspaper "Maroc Le Jour" and as many for "Al Yaoum Al Maghribi" during this year. The Agency has also enriched the newsstands with 11 issues of its monthly magazine BAB (French language) and 11 others of its Arabic version. The year 2021 was also marked by the publication by MAP of a new quarterly magazine dedicated to the diversity of Maghrebian cultures, entitled "Maghreb 1", which is currently in its 4th issue in French and 3rd for Arabic. The Moroccan News Agency has also published the Album MAP 2021, its yearbooks "Maroc Factuel", "Nouvelles du Maroc" and two books: "Figures of the Moroccan press" and "MAP, a certain history of Morocco 1959-2020". Regarding the monitoring service, "MAP Intelligence", it has made available to its customers more than 2,496 bulletins on various topics. As for the SMS service, MAP has sent, throughout the year 2021, more than 5,295 text messages in Arabic and French. Strategic institution and public information pole, the Agency ended the year with the launch of seven thematic music web radios, in an unprecedented move to diversify its cultural products. These are tarabradio.ma, radiomaloulou.ma, radioandalousies.ma, radiotamazgha.ma, worldofaita.ma, radiosamaa.ma and dibradio.ma.
The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) launched December 24, 2021 seven thematic music web radios, in an unprecedented move to diversify its cultural products in line with its founding text and with the pluralism and richness of the national heritage and Moroccan traditions. Accessible on the Internet via a website and mobile applications on Android and IOS, these web radios concern classical Arabic music (www.tarabradio.ma), Moroccan 16 eternals (radiomaloulou.ma), Andalusian music (radioandalousies.ma), Amazigh music (radiotamazgha.ma), popular music (worldofaita.ma), sama music (radiosamaa.ma) and youth music (dibradio.ma). "Tarab Radio" presents the classical Arab song, this eternal song that has undergone glory since the 1930s. One city symbolized this musical renaissance; Cairo. Only one city, only one music, but multiple personalities and various talents came from everywhere to give this art all the greatness it has. It is not a question of nostalgia but rather of transmission. This radio intends to transmit ideas, emotions, texts and dreams to all upcoming generations so as to permanently share artistic Arab refinement. On the other hand, "Radio Maloulou" offers a walk through everlasting Moroccan songs; an artistic creativity that has illuminated Moroccan imagination since the 1940s. If the concept of "Moroccanness" could have an explicit meaning, these songs can express it masterfully. An entire generation of artists, composers and lyricists has been involved in this monumental work that has given nobility to the Moroccan song. MAP, through this rich musical platform, also pays tribute to Andalusian music, which remains unique in its diversity. This music has been enriched from the ocean to the Gulf of a thousand nuances that make it a unique universal heritage. Through "Radio des Andalousies", the Agency wants to restore this diversity in the most heterogeneous way to precisely show this powerful wealth. From Tetouan to Rabat, Tlemcen to Constantine, Fez to Algiers, Tunis to Damascus, Tripoli to Essaouira, the Andalusian music is celebrated with thousands of feats. In addition, MAP has not failed to celebrate the Amazigh musical heritage, this creative land where Berber songs are considered a vision of the world and a constituent part of human culture. In "Radio Tamazgha", Berber chants will find, in this radio, a singular, welcoming and prodigal fatherland. The entirety of Amazighness music will benefit from an assumed proselytism and will be proudly represented as immaterial evidence of an irrefragable reality. For its part, the "World Of Ata" radio highlights the songs of the Moroccan Atlantic plains, and others, which are linked to rain, harvests, ploughing, love and generous nature's prodigality with countless benefits. Songs of fulfilled men and women respond to the generosity of nature. This hymn varies significantly from one region to another but always remains in the same register of happy rurality. Sometimes, when necessary, Ata can be a song of liberation against the oppressor, of struggle against injustice, and for the emancipation of men and women. Former 17 Cads, known as the tenants of the protectorate, have been subjected by songs of condemnation and revolt, marking entire generations. The festive lightness in which some want to maintain this ancestral art does not hold because Ata, above anything else, is the expression of a dense and prolific human epic. For their part, lovers of Sama music will find in MAP's "Radio Sama" a panoply of songs, the sincere expression of the love of God and his Prophet Sidna Mohammed may peace be upon him. Delight to the heart is to go in all purity to meet God through decisive stages made up of prayers, communion, concentration, retreats, songs and celebration of the Divine and his prophet. Those who are on this path will find in this radio voice essential contributions which are likely to sublimate their desire on the right path to God. Finally, the music of today, the one dedicated to youth, finds all its splendor in "DIB Radio", which honors young Moroccans' creativity that has always been very expressive and prodigious on the musical level. "DIB Radio" presents the Moroccan Rap and its successes, but also other sensibilities that express themselves with as much talent and who also sign true "success story" in Morocco. Sensitive texts and admirable voices carry this young wave to heights of inventiveness. Inspired boys and girls find in this radio a welcoming and benevolent place which can, sometimes, be that of the first chance. Two other radio projects are underway, one concerning Hassani music and the other concerning Malhoun. They will see the day in the weeks to come. With these new radio products, MAP addresses all tastes and contributes in its own way to the protection of the richness and diversity of Moroccan cultural expressions, translating into reality the text and spirit of Morocco's 2011 constitution on cultural diversity.
The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) has launched, December 20, a new specialized information website, "mapdata.ma", which provides national and international news based on statistical data processing and analysis. The launch of "mapdata.ma" is part of the new strategic directions of MAP as a public information hub. The website "mapdata.ma" produces national and international information, covering different sectors such as economics, politics, social, environmental, sports and culture. All content on the new MAP information website is illustrated with graphics and data visualization. 18 Statistically oriented, "mapdata.ma" presents information under different theme sections, namely "Economy and Finance", "Politics", "Education", "Health", "Culture and Media" and "Sport". Determinedly focused on innovation, MAP Data offers diversified content based on current facts, surveys, and statistical research. The new product joins the several specialized information websites of the Moroccan News Agency, which include "mapfinance.ma", "mapsport.ma", "maptourisme.ma", "mapecology.ma" and "mapparite.ma".
The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) has taken a new step in the implementation of its digital roadmap, through the deployment of an artificial intelligence (AI) platform for the automatic production of news articles and tagging of its digitized archives. Always in tune with the rapid and accelerated changes in the media field, MAP, through this new project, currently a palpable reality, aims to increase its editorial expertise and diversify its editorial capabilities through the integration of new information technologies and communication. With this project, the Agency provides itself with the means to carry out its strategy to produce content in large volumes, at lower cost and with high added value, and to devote available human resources to more complex tasks that only the human brain is capable of performing. This platform, which is part of a series of AI projects of the Agency, allows to automatically generate sports news articles (soccer and basketball) and stock exchange articles (Casablanca Stock Exchange) in French language 24/7 using data provided by MAP. It is also a semantic text analyzer that automatically associates tags with all the news articles and textual content of the site www.maparchives.ma in French 24/7. This analyzer will make it possible to analyze MAP archives (between 1.5 and 34 million pieces of content), to provide the corresponding tags and to process nearly 300 pieces of content per day. During the development of the platform, a series of meetings and workshops were held to adapt the AI to MAP's editorial line and to develop original and innovative content for its clients. Similarly, training workshops, both in videoconference and face-to-face, were organized to introduce MAP's teams to this new tool. An important component of MAP's five-year Strategic Plan, the new digital roadmap was adopted in early October 2019, during a seminar organized by MAP in Marrakech 19 in partnership with David Sallinen, a global expert in media and social network transformation. The AI projects adopted as part of this digital roadmap are the first in a series of other projects, identified, discussed and listed during this seminar, affecting all MAP's businesses and departments.
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Agence France-Presse, a global leader in digital investigation, has been selected in an open tender by the European Commission to help in the fight against disinformation in Hungary, which to date has no other recognised organisation in this field. As part of a 15-month-long pilot project starting November 1, AFP will cooperate with the award-winning independent news site 444.hu, as well as Media Universalis Foundation - a Hungarian university foundation linked to the Budapest-based Lorand Eotvos University. AFP will bring its know-how to train journalists at 444.hu, helping them to develop their own digital verification production. It will also contribute to fact-check production in Hungary that will feed into a common 4 website dedicated to the project. The public can also access this site that will allow them to familiarise themselves with digital verification. "This project co-funded by the European Commission constitutes a new recognition of AFP's qualities in the area of digital verification in the world globally. We are proud to be participating in this innovative initiative to help fight against disinformation in Europe, a major challenge for our democracies" said AFP Global News Director Phil Chetwynd. AFP and 444.hu will work closely with their university partner, which will handle research work on the issue of disinformation and the ways to respond to it. The main idea will be to allow media practitioners and researchers to tap on their respective experiences to develop a culture of combating disinformation in the country. To this end, a conference on the subject in Hungary as well as several activities aimed at the Hungarian public are also planned.
Agence France-Presse and Google have announced an agreement on the remuneration of neighbouring rights under French law. This follows months of constructive negotiations within the framework set by the French Competition Authority. The wider partnership with AFP will also encompass other projects, including a program dedicated to fact checking, with more details to be shared soon. Fabrice Fries, CEO of Agence France-Presse declares: "This agreement is a recognition of the value of information. This will contribute to the production of quality information and the development of innovation within the Agency. It illustrates the growing part that platforms are called upon to take in AFP's activities, already supported by the very rapid development of digital investigation " S ebastien Missoffe, Managing Director of Google France says: "This agreement with Agence France-Presse demonstrates our willingness to find common ground with publishers and press agencies in France on the topic of neighbouring rights. This partnership will further support the work of AFP and paves the way for even closer collaboration between our teams in the future. "------------------------------
The president of Agencia EFE, Gabriela Ca ňas defended the importance of being united in the task of defending press freedom and freedom of expression, because this, she said, "makes us a little stronger". 5In his speech, at the International Congress of Media Editors of the EU and Latin America in Madrid, Caňas explained that there are currently two fundamental threats to freedom of the press: authoritarian drift and the digital environment, and stressed that these are "permanent and constant". In this context, and referring to press freedom, he gave the example of the Nicaraguan elections as one of the "most bloody" cases in recent days, while stressing that this problem also affects European countries such as Poland and Hungary, where there have been "worrying aberrations". As for the second threat, that related to the digital environment, she warned that in recent years it has been "as effective as authoritarian drifts or tyrannies in closing down the media", because it is reducing "information plurality by leaps and bounds and ruining media publishers", she added. The president of EFE has highlighted the role of the traditional media, after pointing out that in the networks "anything goes and hoaxes are spreading at breakneck speed". "The credibility of the traditional media is being eroded through the networks", he pointed out, which, in his opinion, is "tremendously harmful for citizens and democracies". In view of this situation, Caňas defended the need to "multiply efforts" in defence of press freedom and "not to be satisfied with the cheap excuses" advocated by tyrannies that persecute journalists and the media through alleged crimes. During the International Congress of Media Editors of the EU and Latin America in Madrid, some of the leading media from those regions called also for greater commitment to defend freedom of expression, especially in Latin America, a right that is threatened in many countries by the authoritarianism of governments and the pressures they exert, including through police and judicial action. EFE - November 2021 https://agenciaefe.es/los-medios-piden-un-mayor-compromiso-de-la-ue-con-la-libertad-de-prensa/
Efe news agency champions media literacy to combat fake news Young people should be taught media literacy to help them distinguish real from fake news in the fight against disinformation, the president of Spain's Efe news agency, Gabriela Caňas, has said. "Today it is harder to distinguish between truth and lies," the head of the public news agency said during an online address to the World Media Summit taking place in Beijing. 6 "It's shocking to see how the truth is discredited today, how a considerable part of the general public dismisses the truth and embraces fake news in an uncritical way. "We are also suffering from an overload of information, an infodemic, whose consequences can be just as dire as hoaxes." Caňas said greater education around the consumption of news would provide young people with the necessary tools to fact check information and stay informed. "We cannot allow algorithms to decide for us. Nor should large technological companies economically exploit the content that we create with hard work and rigor," Caňas said. "Because all of this threatens the very existence of the media fighting for the truth." Caňas lauded the work of public news agencies and highlighted the efforts taken by Efe in maintaining the "highest quality, in searching for the truth and the verification of news" in the face of the "dangerous enemy" of disinformation. "We are the leading Spanish language news outlet. Our protocols are as rigorous as the news we publish. We are duty-bound to raise the torch of credibility high and spread it throughout the world." Caňas said alliances and innovation were key to the survival of traditional media outlets in a changing world, and noted as an example deals made between Efe and other news agencies with social media giants like TikTok and Twitter. In her speech, the president of Efe extended her congratulations to Chinese state news agency Xinhua, host of the summit, on its 90th anniversary. Caňas, the first Efe representative to take part in the summit, concluded her address by paying homage to the 1,800 journalists who have died since the beginning of the pandemic. The World Media Summit was formed in 2009 by the world's leading news agencies. Its previous plenaries have taken place in Beijing (2009), Moscow (2012) and Doha (2016). This year much of the focus was placed on growth strategies amid the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. It took place virtually and was organized by the Associated Press, Reuters, Xinhua, TASS, Agence France Presse and Al Jazeera, among others. EFE EFE - Beijing - 22 Nov 2021
With the award, the organisation has recognised the daily work of the agency, which deals with all current affairs with a wide territorial coverage. The president of Agencia EFE, Gabriela Caňas, expressed her gratitude for the award. "It is difficult to think of a more honourable award for EFE: human rights and freedom of expression. A great boost for everyone," she said. In the 23rd edition of the Spanish lawyers' awards, dedicated to the defence of freedom of expression, EFE, the international organisation Reporters Without Borders, the journalist Iňaki Gabilondo and the Spanish local agencies Europa Press and Servimedia have also received awards. https://agenciaefe.es/12217-2/
EFE's new podcasts, hosted on platforms such as Spotify and Amazon, have achieved 70,000 plays, 32,000 full active listens and 42,000 different listeners in their first month. EFE produces four new Spanish-language podcasts from Monday to Sunday. Two of them, "A por el tίtulo", with sports content, and "GMT", with international information, as part of Spotify's "Ruta Diaria", from Monday to Friday. An adaptation of "You Daily Drive", the most successful playlist in the United States that combines songs and podcasts selected by users according to their preferences. Also, outside the "Daily Drive", there are two other EFE products, "Lo Nacional" and "Noticias paralelas", the latter on alternative content, well positioned on Sundays on Spotify, as well as "A por el t ίtulo" on Saturdays.According to the platform's measurements, "Noticias paralelas", "GMT" and "A por el t ίtulo" have been among the three most listened to in Spanish in Spotify's ranking.EFE is preparing other productions of exclusive serialised podcasts for platforms such as Amazon or Podimo, with content on social, environmental, cultural, health and sports issues, and a "Daily" with the news of the day. The podcast "Historias Paralelas" is also published in English as "In Other News" with news and current affairs. https://agenciaefe.es/los-nuevos-productos-de-audio-avanzan-en-escuchas/ 29 December 2021 ------------------------------
The Council and the Secretariat of the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies would like to wish all AMAN member-agencies, their leaderships and staff a productive, prosperous and peaceful 2022, under safe conditions.
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AA - Anadolu Agency presents its Environment Platform at MINDS Conference News agencies bear responsibility to inform public, raise awareness on environmental issues, says Deputy Director General Yusuf Ozhan Anadolu Agency's Deputy Director General and Editor-in-Chief Yusuf Ozhan presented the agency's Environment Platform on Thursday at the 31st Conference of the MINDS, the International Association of News Agencies. In his presentation, Ozhan said the world has been increasingly affected by environmental disasters such as floods, wildfires, and air pollution, as well as climate change, and that news agencies had a responsibility to inform the public and raise awareness on issues related to the environment. Environmental crises have already become the most critical issue affecting the lives of millions of people, said Ozhan, presenting the platform created by Anadolu Agency to members of the press attending the conference in the Norwegian capital Oslo. Ozhan said Anadolu Agency will hold a two-day international forum in 2022 as part of the Environment Platform. Leaders and industry
representatives will attend the panel discussions that will be held
Participants of the forum will discuss climate pressure in the media, the countries' commitments to environmental crises and the media's approach toward them, Turkey's role in combating the global environmental crisis, climate transformation in sectors that cause global warming, the refugee crisis caused by climate change, discriminatory practices in the perspective of climate justice and human rights, environmental policies, and "climate capitalism," said Ozhan. Gamze Turkoglu Oguz | 14.10.2021
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APS - New General Director Profile of Mr. Samir GAID Mr. Samir GAID is the new Director General at the Algerian Press Service agency, based in Algiers, after having spent more than two years as Director of the western region of APS in Oran from the beginning of 2019 to 2021, date of his appointment as Director General of APS. 4
Contact details: Telephone : +213 (0) 23569664 Mobile : +213 (0) 661 931 634 Email: gaidsamir.dgaps@gmail.com
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ATA - Armela Krasniqi elected head of Audiovisual Media Authority
In the last session of the IX legislature, the MPs voted today with 83 votes in favor of the candidacy of Armela Krasniqi at the helm of AMA. Alketa Dibra was also nominated by the Albanian Media Council to run for head of the Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA) who received only 9 votes at the today's session. In 2017, Armela Krasniqi was elected General Director of Albanian Telegraphic Agency-ATA, after a long term career in the field of media. Krasniqi worked as a reporter for Shijak TV, the ART - Albanian Radio Television, to serve later as the Director of the Directorate of Actuality at ART as well as news presenter. //a.i/ 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Valbona Zhupa was appointed as the new ATA Director General
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CNA - CNA new Board of Directors CNA has new management in place. Mr. Iosif Iosif was re-appointed by the Council of Ministers as Chairman of the Board Directors of the Cyprus News agency for the next three years. Mr. George Frangos, President of the Cyprus Union of Journalists, was appointed as Board Deputy Chairman. CNA is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors.
Mr. Christodoulides holds the post of the Editor-in-Chief since 2019, after working as CNA Assistant Editor-in-Chief for 12 years. He has published eight books in the field of poetry and was twice awarded the State Poetry Prize. He represented Cyprus in several literary events abroad. His books, and part of his work, have been translated in most European languages. 6 Mr. Christodoulides will act as Acting Director until the appointment of a new Director through an open public competition. The Board of Directors has also decided to assign Mrs Marianna Mela as CNA International Relations Officer. -------------------------------------------------------------------
EFE - KING OF SPAIN AWARDS - Felipe VI awards King of Spain International Journalism Prizes EFE Madrid 9 Jun 2021
The King of Spain International Journalism Prizes on Wednesday recognized important coverage of social movements across Latin America as well as persistent inequality and human rights issues within the context of the global Covid-19 pandemic. Once again the award ceremony presided over by King Felipe VI got underway in Madrid's Casa America with strict health and safety protocols, reducing the number of attendees from 120 to 80 in order to maintain social distancing. Created by Spain's news agency EFE and the country's agency for international cooperation and development (AECID) in 1983, the annual media awards recognize some of the leading work done by Spanish and Portuguese-speaking journalists. The jury for this 38th edition of the prize ceremony selected media outlets and reporters from seven Ibero-American countries - Spain, Colombia, Cuba, Chile, Guatemala, Mexico and Portugal - spanning topics ranging from social unrest in Latin America, immigration, human rights and equality. 9 The Prize for Digital Journalism went to Chilean online portal La Tercera for its video coverage of the mass protests in the South American nation. Tania Soledad Opazo is collecting the prize on behalf of her team. A Mexican feminist podcast called "Calladitas nunca ms" ("No longer staying quiet"), broadcast by Univisin Noticias Digital, was awarded the prize for Culture and Social Development. Jhon Torres Martinez and his team scooped the Ibero-American Prize for Journalism for their report on Venezuelan migrants in Colombia, published by Colombian newspaper El Tiempo. Two other Colombians received prizes on Wednesday: photographer Carlos Alberto Emilio Velsquez Piedrahita, for his photograph "El ltimo abrazo" ("the last hug"), which captured the moment a young man embraces the body of his murdered brother, and Juan David Cardozo, who won the Radio category for his interview with a former Venezuelan general who claimed he had plotted to assassinate president Nicols Maduro. Portuguese journalist Catarina Isabel Canelas Goncalves was awarded the prize for Environmental and Sustainable Development Journalism for her work on the effects of plastic in society. Cuban Nayare Menoyo won the prize for Television while the Guatemalan newspaper El Peridico will be recognized for its 25-year service to the industry. Spanish journalist Pedro Simn for his coverage of El Mundo of a child heart transplant while the Don Quijote Prize for Journalism went to Cuban Carlos Manuel lvarez Rodriguez for his article "Three Cuban Girls" published in El Estornudo on 23 February 2020. The King of Spain International Journalism Prize winners receive 6,000 euros and a statuette by Joaquin Vaquero while the Don Quijote awards come with a prize of 9,000 euros and a statuette by Xema Teno. EFE ajs/jt/ks
Madrid 15 Sep 2021 Nominations for the King of Spain International Journalism Awards opened on Wednesday, with six new and updated categories to bring awareness to journalism excellence with 10,000 euros in prize money, similar to the Pulitzer Awards, which consolidates them as the most recognized in Ibero-America. Founded by Agencia EFE and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the awards recognize the work of professional journalists working in the Spanish and Portuguese languages from the countries that make up the Ibero-American community and nations with which Spain has close ties. 10 "Agencia EFE has changed the name and structure of the most prestigious awards that we have conferred for 39 years," Agencia EFE President Gabriela Caňas said, highlighting AECID's key role in making them possible. The award categories have been reduced from ten to six, as "a firm commitment to the value of journalism, irrespective of the format they are published," Caňas said. The objective of EFE and AECID is to advance the awards "which aspire to consolidate over time as a new brand, with a long-term commitment," the head of EFE said.
The six categories now include the King of Spain International Award for Narrative Journalism, which will go to the best story, in text, digital, video or audio format, that contributes to citizens' right to information and fosters their general interest in knowledge. The International Cooperation and Humanitarian Action Journalism Award will be given to the work, in any media format, that contributes to promoting values related to education and sport that help create fairer, more cohesive societies and improve people's lives. The Environmental Journalism Award will be for the best work that contributes to the communication of sustainable development behavior and models, as well as to a better socio-environmental culture. In addition, the Cultural Journalism Award will recognize work that contributes to disseminating values related to culture and art with the aim of creating more informed societies and encouraging creative and critical thinking among people. The Photography Award is for the best image or graphic report that stands out for its particular approach and explores all the medium's possibilities. The final category is the International Journalism Award to Ibero-American Media, aimed at highlighting the work of Ibero-American media companies published in any of the Spanish languages or in Portuguese.
"It is a source of pride for AECID to present these awards, which bring together the best examples of Ibero-American journalism, committed journalism in our sister languages of Spanish and Portuguese," Anton Leis, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation Director, said. Leis emphasised that the new awards, in which "we reinforce the essential link between free and quality press and cooperation," materialized in the International Cooperation and Humanitarian Action Award, "which will promote the work of the 11 media in pursuit of sustainable development in our partner countries. These awards make the values and principles of Spanish cooperation visible." Nominations opened on Wednesday and can be submitted until December 15. The jury is to meet virtually to determine the winners and is to be composed of a representative from Agencia EFE, another from AECID and five renowned professionals from across Ibero-America. The awards cover the 22 Ibero-American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Spain, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela), Angola, Cape Verde, United States, Philippines, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Israel, Morocco, Mozambique, Andorra, Sao Tome and Principe and East Timor. The King and Queen of Spain have presented the awards, first by emeritus King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia, and later by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. Winners include writers such as Mario Vargas Llosa, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, and the Spanish author Arturo Perez Reverte. EFE
Madrid Sep 2021 The Cervantes Institute and Agencia EFE strengthened their collaboration in promoting the Spanish language and culture by signing an agreement that will see the public institutions share resources such as access to databases, as well as some services and spaces. The director of Instituto Cervantes, Luis Garcia Montero, and the president of EFE, Gabriela Caňas, signed the agreement at the agency's headquarters, which shows their willingness to "join forces, taking advantage of their respective comparative advantages, to work synergistically and collaborate in areas of common interest", as stated in the general protocol of action signed in July. The world's leading Spanish-language news agency -- and one of the biggest internationally -- will provide free access to EFE's database at each Cervantes center abroad and at its headquarters in Madrid. Students will be able to consult the agency's news, biographical and documentary databases from 1988 to the present day. It includes more than 4,000 journalistic documents; 12 million news items from the last 22 years; more than 24,000 biographies; the history of some 400 entities, and anniversaries. In addition, EFE will provide a cultural information news service, online access to the World Digital Agenda, which reports on the future celebration of events and events around the world, and access to the preview of the picture archive. In return, the Cervantes Institute will provide EFE with the use of space at its headquarters in Madrid and Alcal de Henares for events starting in 2022. Likewise, EFE will be able to hold one exhibition a year with its photographic collections, for which both parties will agree on the dates and the most suitable venue. And Cervantes will provide, both in Madrid and in each of its centers abroad, a suitable location to broadcast the EFE TV Channel. Gabriela Caňas said the signing of this agreement "strengthens and consolidates" the relationship between the two iconic Spanish entities. "We have put a lot of will to make the most of our competitive advantages and thus achieve mutual support and benefit," she said. "As the public entities that we are, our will is to join forces to strengthen the presence of our country in the world with the defense and promotion of the Spanish language and its culture," the EFE president explained. The director of the Cervantes Institute, Garcia Montero, said: "Today we renew that spirit of mutual help and cooperation that we have consolidated over the years with an agreement that will also allow us to exchange resources at a time when we are very aware of the value of public goods and services". In his opinion, "the largest Spanish-language news agency's value to society and the world is unquestionable". EFE
EFE Miami, 20 Oct 2021 The president of the Inter American Press Association Jorge Canahuati on Tuesday opened the organization's 77th General Assembly with a message in which he highlighted how this year had been "disastrous" for press freedom. Canahauti was joined via video conference by the president of Spain's Agencia EFE Gabriela Caňas and former IAPA president Danilo Arbilla. The current president made reference to closure of "emblematic" outlets such as El Nacional in Venezuela and La Prensa in Nicaragua. "Their only crime was to conduct independent journalism," he said. Caňas, who as head of Spain's Efe news agency will help to organize the IAPA's next general assembly, which set to take place in Madrid, said that "finding a sustainable model was crucial for freedom of speech and, therefore, for democracy itself." She went on to congratulate this year's joint winners of the Nobel Peace Prize, Philippines journalist Maria Ressa and Russian Dmitri Muratov, saying it was a "recognition of the difficult conditions facing many reporters working in precarious conditions, who often risk their freedom and sometimes their life." "Even without going to those extremes, we have known for a long time that false accusations against journalists and the strangling of financial sources for their business is a power weapon for all those who abuse their power," she added. The featured on the opening day of the assembly will be Nicaraguan writer Sergio Ramirez, who was vice president during Daniel Ortega's first tenure as president between 1979-90 but now lives in exile after the government ordered his arrest on charges of "fueling hate and violence." EFE -------------------------------------------------------------------
The five-member HINA Steering Board has unanimously re-elected Branka- Gabriela Vojvodic as the agency's Director for a third term in office. Mrs Vojvodic was also elected Secretary General of the Association of News Agencies in the Balkans and South-East Europe (ABNA-SEE) during the General Assembly held in Pristina. -------------------------------------------------------------------
LUSA - Joaquim Carreira, 60 years-old, is the new President and CEO of Lusa - Portuguese News Agency, since June 1st, 2021.
He was Director of LUSA since 2016, being responsible for Support Areas namely Information Systems, Human Resources, Purchasing and Finance & Accounting. Mr. Carreira has a vast professional experience of more than 30 years in several multinational and national companies with diverse activities from Pharmaceuticals, Publishing and TV, and Catering, having also worked in various projects with NGOs.
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Mr. Eiad Wannous has been appointed Director General of the Syrian News Agency (SANA), succeeding Mr. Abdul Rahim Ahmad. Mr. Wannous was born in 1972. He holds a BA in Criticism and Dramatic Literature from the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts, Damascus University, as well as a Diploma and Master's Degree from the Royal Holloway, University of London, specialised in research (Modernity and Post modernity), in addition to attending academic programmes in executive management, politics and international relations. Before assuming duties as SANA Director General, Mr. Wannous served as editor-in-chief in a number of private media organisations between 2007-2021. Contact details: Email: eiad.wanus@gmail.com Mobile: 0096393305001 Office: 009633325085 -------------------------------------------------------------------
TAP - Bizerte in spotlight at 13th edition of TAP's "Zoom on Regions" programme
(TAP) - Bizerte governorate (North Tunisia) played host, from June 14 to 19, to the 13th edition of the "Zoom on Regions" programme, organised by TAP news agency, in co-operation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS). 15 TAP reportersl focused on issues related to local development and craft, natural resources and archaeological sites, in addition to ecological issues in relation to maritime environment. At the opening of the six-day session, Director of TAP External Relations and Training Department Dr Chaouki Aloui stressed the importance of the "Zoom on Regions" experience in diversifying the local press product, highlighting the role of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in supporting this programme. KAS Resident Representative Holger Dix, for his part, commended the importance of the programme in both substance and energy, hailing the agency's commitment and professionalism. He emphasised the importance of the partnership between TAP and his institution, particularly in relation to these field visits as part of the Zoom on regions programme. The group composed of ten members, including six journalists, were received at the opening day by Governor of Bizerta Mohamed Gouider. He briefed them on development projects and programmes conducted in the region, as well as others that are planned and ongoing. Gouider pledged to assist the reporters in their mission and ease access to information. The Zoom on regions programme has covered 12 governorates so far and will continue elsewhere. It promotes an approach centered around in-depth coverage of local issues.
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OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS EANA - European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) elected new President and members of the Board, Secretary General reelected
08.10.2021 During the General assembly held in Vienna on Friday, October 8th, 2021, members of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) elected Mr Clemens Pig, Chairman and CEO of APA (Austria), as new President of the organization, for a 2-year mandate. Mr Fabrice Fries, President of AFP (France), and Mr Elmir Huremovic, General Manager of FENA (Bosnia & Herzegovina), were elected Board Members, joining Mr Clive Marshall, CEO of the PA Media Group (UK), who remains a member of the Board of EANA for one more year. Mr. Alexandru Giboi was reelected as the Secretary General of EANA for a mandate of three years. "European news agencies are in the midst of the digital transformation of the entire media and communications industry. At enormous speed, the pandemic has presented all of us with additional major challenges: work processes in newsrooms have been radically disrupted by the mobile workplace, users' digital media use has massively increased, and global technical networks have flushed phenomena such as disinformation and fake news from the margins of society into the digital centre of society," Clemens Pig said in Vienna today. "All of these developments also bear extraordinary opportunities and responsibilities for the European news agencies. Now in particular, professional exchange and cohesion within the European agency alliance is especially important, also and specifically when it comes to protecting individual news agencies from political pressure and attacks. I can build on the successful work of my predecessor Peter Kropsch, CEO of the German news agency dpa; our top priority remains the long-term safeguarding of independent news agency reporting," added Clemens Pig, the new EANA President. Fabrice Fries, the President of Agence France Presse, said: "I am honoured to join the board of EANA, which is a great forum to discuss and when possible address the many challenges news agencies face today." Elmir Huremovic, General Manager of FENA, underlined the importance of cooperation and the impact of EANA on the members: "I am sure that the new Board of EANA will help the organisation become even more important at the European and global level, and I am happy to be a part of this project". Clive Marshall, already 2-years member of the Board of EANA, said: "I congratulate my colleagues on their election to the board and I look forward to working with them under the guidance of our new President Clemens Pig." Alexandru Giboi, reconfirmed as Secretary General of EANA, underlined that he will always look towards the future of the organization: "Although I was the only one nominated for the position, it was not much easier for me than for the other candidates, because the trust shown by the EANA members only adds to the pressure and pushes me to constantly become better. I am looking forward to working with 17 the new Board for the evolution and benefit of our organisation, in order to bring forth constant insight and opportunities for our members. Change has already begun, and EANA can only improve in the future." Founded on August 21st 1956, after a conference in Strasbourg, EANA is a cooperation and information exchange forum of European news agencies. EANA consists of 32 news agencies promoting and respecting quality journalism, copyright, access to quality information, technological development of media and, last but not least, freedom of press. ------------------------------------------------------------------- th of November will be celebrated every year as the Day of the Mediterranean.The decision to declare this International Day was unanimously taken by the 42 Member States of the Union for the Mediterranean in November 2020, aiming to create an annual unique momentum to reinforce Mediterranean unity, celebrate our common identity and enhance the visibility of the Positive Agenda in the region. The Day of the Mediterranean is meant to be a precious token of the belief that we can only move forward together. It is meant to connect people and increase our understanding of each other to build the future we all want to see: through art, culture and education but also through public policies and cooperation initiatives. Mrs Isabel Pardillos, Head of Unit Communication and Public Affairs at the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean, said the official website is intended to become a hub of activities happening all over the region. If you are currently considering dates to organize conferences or cultural activities, launch initiatives, present studies, etc. "We encourage you to frame them under the Day of the Mediterranean and publish them on the website. The International Day will help to leverage media attention, connect communities in the region and showcase how collaboration can bring about positive change! We are also building a "Partners" section, in order to recognize the work of those organizations that are committed to making the Mediterranean a better place. We would be pleased to have yours listed as a Partner of the Day of the
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AA - Serdar Karagoz takes reins of Turkey's Anadolu Agency Senol Kazanci hands over duties to Karagoz after wrapping up 6 years at the helm of Turkey's top news source Mehmet Tosun | 07.04.2021
ANKARA Serdar Karagoz on Wednesday took over the reins of Anadolu Agency, Turkey's top news source, from his predecessor, Senol Kazanci. 3
During the general assembly, following their six-year tenure, the makeup of the board of directors also changed, with Serdar Karagoz, Yusuf Ozkir, Hasan Nuri Yasar, Ismail Caglar, and Busra Karaduman Aktuna elected to the new board. In the first meeting of the board of directors, Karagoz was elected Anadolu Agency board chairman and director general. Speaking at the handover ceremony, Kazanci said they strived for the success of Anadolu Agency and thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his support. Karagoz, for his part, thanked the Kazanci administration for bringing the agency to its current heights.
Anadolu Agency names Yusuf Ozhan next editor-in-chief Also, Oguz Enis Peru becomes the new deputy director-general Faruk Zorlu | 15.04.2021
ANKARA Anadolu Agency has named Yusuf Ozhan its next editor-in-chief, said Serdar Karagoz, the agency's chairman of the board and director-general, on Thursday. After leading the transformation of Turkish national news outlet TRT as director of the External Services Department, Ozhan will replace Metin Mutanoglu at the agency post. "Yusuf is a leader of many skills, with a digital-first, innovative, outside-the-box take on journalism, which combines years of editorial management experience and outstanding journalism with an unending desire to meet the challenges of keeping up with new media tools," Karagoz said in a statement. Ozhan holds a master's in Communication, Culture, and Technology from Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He also holds a BA in Management Information Systems from Istanbul's Bogazici University. Oguz Enis Peru, Anadolu Agency's new deputy director-general
"Peru will shape the marketing, administrative, and financial infrastructure of our organization. He took on various positions mostly as a manager in the administrative and financial departments of TURKSAT, Turkey's Satellite Communication Cable TV and Operation, during his 16-year career," Karagoz said.
The COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world has shown the challenging conditions under which photojournalists and press members are continuing doing their jobs with devotion. As Anadolu Agency, we keep supporting the sector with Istanbul Photo Awards contest during this tough time. Bangladeshi photographer Mohammed Shajahan's photograph titled "Mom Love" was selected for Photo of the Year 2021 award from among nearly 15,000 photographs submitted from different parts of the world. I congratulate all photographers who won a prize, particularly Shajahan. In Single News category, Yuri Cortez, the winner of the second prize for picturing the conditions in Quezaltepeque Prison in El Salvador, and Petros Giannakouris, who won the third place with his photo of victims of a fire in a refugee camp in Greece, showed us that different agendas are taking place worldwide. Becoming a platform where 12,000 photographers have registered in the seventh round of the contest highlights the quality of our contest. Our international jury, consisting of the prestigious names of the world of photography, selected the winners on a platform designed exclusively for the contest due to the pandemic. I thank each of them for their contributions to the contest with their experiences.
Anadolu Agency, YTB launch 'new generation media course' Five-day training program starts for graduates of Turkiye Scholarships program Mehmet Sah Yilmaz | 16.03.2021
ANKARA Turkey's top news provider Anadolu Agency and the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) launched an online "New Generation Media" training program Monday for graduates of the Turkiye Scholarships program. The training program took place between March 15-19. The Turkiye Scholarships program, also known as Turkiye Burslari, offers a range of programs designed for each level of study, including undergraduate, graduate, research and language education opportunities at the most prestigious universities in Turkey for international students and researchers. Anadolu Agency journalists win international photo awards Onur Coban receives award for his photo titled 'A short-lived exodus from Turkey to Europe' Kaan Bozdogan | 02.03.2021 ISTANBUL Two photojournalists from Turkey's leading news source Anadolu Agency received awards Monday in the Pictures of the Year International (POY) competition. Onur Coban received an award in the National/International News Picture Story category with his photo titled "A short-lived exodus from Turkey to Europe," which depicts asylum seekers who want to go to Europe waiting at the Greek border in Turkey's northwestern province of Edirne. 6 Another Anadolu Agency photojournalist, Gokhan Balci, won third prize for his photo series titled "European Dream." Also, Sebnem Coskun received the second-place award in the Science and Natural History Singles category for her image of a diver surrounded by COVID-19 waste in the Mediterranean Sea. Anadolu Agency marks 101st anniversary of its founding Turkish intellectuals Halide Edip Adivar, Yunus Nadi Abalioglu conceived idea of Turkish global news wire in 1920 Dilara Hamit | 06.04.2021
ANKARA Exactly 101 years ago, the announcement of the establishment of Anadolu Agency was made during a meeting at the military headquarters of the founder of modern Turkey in the capital Ankara which now houses the General Directorate of State Meteorology. Returning to Ankara on Dec. 27, 1919, after the Sivas Congress, a pivotal weeklong congress of the Turkish National Movement, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk chose the two-story stone building, a former agricultural school, to announce the establishment of the Turkish Republic's first news agency. Realizing the importance of the media, Ataturk had started thinking about the possibility of setting up a news agency that would convey the voice of the War of Independence within the country and around the world. After a discussion at a train station, two Turkish intellectuals -- Halide Edip Adivar and Yunus Nadi Abalioglu -- conceived the idea of the Turkish global news wire Anadolu Agency. Today, Anadolu Agency ranks among the world's most reputed news agencies with more than 3,000 colleagues of 124 nationalities and broadcasts in 13 languages. 7
Anadolu Agency, TIKA's journalism program begins More than 90 media persons from 24 countries participating in 3-day training program in English Gokhan Varan | 25.05.2021
An online training program for new generation journalism organized by Anadolu Agency and Turkey's state-run aid agency TIKA kicked off on Tuesday. The 3-day training is being held via videoconferencing. It is being conducted in English language for more than 90 media representatives from 24 countries. Addressing the opening ceremony, Anadolu Agency's News Academy Director Bora Bayraktar expressed his happiness to see participants from regions such as the Balkans, Central Asia, and North Africa where he worked as a journalist.
------------------------------------------ AFP -Afghanistan: Aref Karimi and Mohammad Ismail named winners of the third edition of the Marai Photo Award Aref Karimi, a photojournalist originally from Herat in west Afghanistan, has been named the winner of the third edition of the Marai Photo Award in the Photo Story category. His winning entry was a series of photos depicting the production of silk in his home province. Karimi, 35, works with AFP.
The winner of the Single Photo category is Kabul-based Mohammad Ismail, 41, who works for Reuters news agency. His winning photograph shows a young Afghan man whose legs have been amputated training in a swimming pool.
Named "My Afghanistan", th e award is organized by AFP in honour of Shah Marai, the former photo chief at the agency's Kabul bureau. Marai was killed at the age of 41 in a suicide attack on April 30, 2018. He set an example for Afghan photographers, capturing unique images of his country with tenderness and passion. The competition each year invites Afghan photographers to share the reality of their country and people, beyond the images of violence too often associated with Afghanistan.
Noting Afghanistan's location on the old Silk Route, Karimi submitted 15 photos showing how silk production affected by conflict has gradually recovered in recent years in Herat, where thousands of families work raising silkworms and producing silk.
This year, the jury was composed of Lyse Doucet, a veteran BBC journalist who has reported from Afghanistan for many years, Massoud Hossaini, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Kabul-based photographer, Ami Vitale, a photographer working with National Geographic Magazine, Kadir van Lohuizen, co-founder of the NOOR agency and a World Press Photo award winner, and Stephane Arnaud , AFP's photo editor-in-chief.Journalists continue to pay a heavy price in the war in Afghanistan. Along with honouring the memory of Shah Marai, the competition aims to develop photography in a country struggling with the effects of four decades of conflict. This year, 51 submissions were accepted for the award. There were seven finalists: four in the Photo Story category and three in the Single Photo category. You can access the award's website here: http://maraiphotoaward.comAFP Extends Digital Verification Into Finnish And Greek AFP extended this month its european fact-checking network into Greece, Cyprus and Finland, consolidating its position as the world's leading agency in digital investigation. This comes after our launch of digital verification in Bulgaria and Hungary in March 2021. AFP now has more than 30 journalists and editors working solely on digital verification in Europe, covering 20 countries and more than a dozen languages (AFP)AFP launches MediaConnect, a subsidiary serving PR professionals and journalistsMediaConnect, an AFP subsidiary, will offer an innovative service that will facilitate and simplify relations between journalists and public relations professionals from businesses, institutions and NGOs. Through this platform, which will also be available for mobile, journalists will be able to freely access a wide range of content: press releases, photos, audio, video, live events, broadcasters' agendas, archives and image banks. They will be able to receive notifications about their choice of topics and customise how they use the platform according to their priorities. 10 MediaConnect will use encryption technology to ensure the absolute security of sensitive material and prevent the publication of fake statements. With MediaConnect, public relations professionals will be able to promote, enhance and target their messages in both French and English. The platform, which mainly will target the French market in the first instance, also offers the possibility of managing the distribution of content on an international scale and to measure its impact through a series of tools. The public will have access to MediaConnect and will be able to consult announcements from companies, institutions and organisations at source. The platform will be fully operational by mid-June. MediaConnect will then become available to business, institutions and organisations and will offer newsroom training. AFP chairman Fabrice Fries said: "With this new subsidiary, we continue to develop media services with a unique tool, in line with our core business and areas of expertise".The platform was designed in partnership with the company Epresspack, one of the main suppliers of turnkey press sites to companies and institutions. This technological expertise complements AFP's know-how in multimedia content management and its understanding of journalists' requirements. "We are very proud of this technological, commercial and financial partnership with AFP" , said Antoun Sfeir, CEO and founder of Epresspack. "It is a recognition of the innovative solutions we have been developing for 10 years for the benefit of companies and their reputations".AFP has named Anne Boussarie as managing director of its new subsidiary. This media industry professional has over 20 years of international sales and marketing experience. "Our ambition is to offer the largest virtual media centre for public relations professionals and a working tool for journalists, which will become indispensable to them all" , she said.AFP wins three european projects to fight disinformation The European Commission has selected global news agency AFP following a public bid to participate in three European hubs aimed at fighting disinformation in France, Eastern Europe and the Benelux countries of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The hubs - CEDMO in France; DE FACTO in Eastern Europe; and EDMO BELUX in the Benelux - will for the first time bring together fact-checking media, university analysts and specialists in media education to combat the spread of disinformation.They will offer real-time fact checks on the biggest false stories and research into disinformation by leading universities as well as providing tools and tutorials to let people expose disinformation themselves. "AFP is proud to take part in this innovative initiative to bring together the major actors against disinformation, map out the networks that spread false news on the internet, and decrypt their strategies and the impact of this phenomenon on our societies. It is a major issue," said AFP chairman and chief executive Fabrice Fries.In France, AFP will work with the media research arm of the Paris Institute of Political Studies, the French centre for media and information literacy CLEMI and leading fact checkers in the French media. In Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, AFP will mainly work with the Charles University in Prague and the Kempelen Institute of Intelligent Technologies in Bratislava, which will work on improving algorithms to detect disinformation. Finally, for the Benelux, the consortium will include notably Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the RTL news group in Luxembourg. The anti-disinformation hubs will be linked to the European Digital Media Observatory, launched by the European Union last year and based in Florence, Italy. "The European Commission's choice is a great recognition of AFP's work against disinformation since 2017, a field in which our agency is a world leader," said AFP global news director Phil Chetwynd.AFP has more than 100 fact checkers covering 85 countries, who work closely with their colleagues in the agency. They work in more than 20 languages from Malay to Polish, Burmese, Dutch, and Greek. AFP is a member of the International Fact-Checking Network, which has established principles for fact-checking. It is also part of the Facebook programme to expose misinformation on the social network. David Millikin appointed North America Sales and Marketing Director Brings long North America experience to dev eloping AFP's regional business. , AFP's Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific bureau chief since 2017, has been appointed as Sales and Marketing Director for North America by the group's commercial management.He will bring to the job nearly 40 years of experience at Agence France-Presse and has held the most senior editorial and management roles in North America, giving him a unique insight into the US and Canadian media and corporate markets that he will be in charge of developing. Millikin was North America regional director from 2012-2017, after completing st ints as the region's editor-in-chief and State Department correspondent. He also held various roles in AFP's offices in Hong Kong, Jerusalem, Paris and in Sydney, where he completed two tours managing AFP's editorial and commercial operations for Oceania.
-------------------------------------------- El-Oued: three additions to local media landscape
The birth of three newspapers "El-Jadid EL-Youmi" (Daily News), "AL-Tahrir El-Djazairia" (Algerian Liberation) and "Al-Ghazel News" (AL Ghazel News), is slated to reinforce community press which constitutes a link between the administration and the citizens, and a space for the expression of concerns, said those exports, contacted by APS on the World Press Freedom Day. Rachid Khodir, a communication professor at El Oued University, said that the creation of those three newspapers in the province of El-Oued is an achievement of paramount importance for media plurality, to which the journalists have aspired for so long, especially as the public authorities have enacted a favorable legal framework. The "law on Information, drawn on the Constitution, has largely contributed to the promotion of print, audiovisual and online press freedom," said Khodir. In the opinion of the professor, "media, the Fourth Estate, has fully and responsibly assumed its mission and role into the social equation and stability, using the press freedom guaranteed by the Constitution to best effect by producing wide coverage of the various activities of the civil society." The managers of these newspapers have all welcomed the efforts of the public authorities intended to lay the solid foundations to building a genuine professional and plural press in Algeria. 13 Algeria has made "important steps forward in this matter," by promulgating a law that provides for facilitation of access to the sources of information and the right of the citizens to information, say the same managers. Larbi Brik, the General Manager of the newly created daily "Al-Tahrir El-Djazairia", has the same opinion, saying that the legal framework offered a "large margin to the journalists in order to consolidate press freedom." In the same regard, he called for protecting the print press, which increasingly faces competition from the online press and social media. Brik, who also called for setting up mechanisms to organize these new media, announced the creation of a web channel "Al-Tahrir", designed to keep pace with the changes in the media landscape. Besides, General Manager of "El-Jadid Al-Youmi" daily, Ahmed Rezzeg Lobza, said that "the media landscape in Algeria is experiencing an important opening up," adding that the media landscape in Algeria acquired a "pioneering" experience in the Arab and African countries. CNESE, digital platform to communicate with journalists ALGIERS-The National Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CNESE) announced Monday in a statement that it plans to launch a digital platform to communicate with journalists, "who efficiently contribute to preparing development approaches." In a letter sent to media outlets on the sidelines of the celebration of the World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the Council has announced the "upcoming launch of a digital platform" to help exchange of information with the different media. In this regard, the CNESE expressed its willingness to build a strong partnership with journalists, especially those specializing in fields related to its missions, to give them the opportunity to take part, as stakeholders, in the council's debates. Through this partnership, the journalists will contribute to creating a new media culture as it plays a major role in economic and commercial wars. Meanwhile, the Council commended the professionalism of journalists and their role in providing credible, accurate and objective information in line with the country's socio-economic development. "Through your writings and investigations, you perform a noble national duty that contributes to the building of the society, prosperity and sustainable development," added the CNESE. "The role of the journalist is not limited to transmitting information but rather to be an effective partner, by being able to give an opinion and prepare development approaches to which decision makers refer to when preparing sustainable development programs," concluded the CNESE.
CAPC launches 1st edition of Reda Hamiani Business Press Prize ALGIERS-The Algerian Confederation of Citizen Employers (CAPC) has launched the first edition of "Reda Hamiani" Business Press Prize aimed at encouraging debates on business- related issues via national media. "The CAPC seeks to reward the best press articles, radio and TV reports that focus on key issues related to business and the national economy," said the confederation leader Mohamed Sami Agli at a press conference. Four prizes will be awarded respectively to the best articles and reports in written press, digital journalism, TV and radio. The contest is named after the late Reda Hamiani "in tribute to this figure who marked the Algerian business scene," said Agli. The CAPC has themed this edition "The Challenges of the Algerian Economy in the Face of the Covid-19 pandemic." The prizes will be awarded on the next National Press Day (October, 22 nd ). They recognize journalists for their articles, inquiries, TV shows and reports published or broadcast between 1 January 2021 and 31 July 2021. A jury panel composed of business experts, seasoned journalists and CEOs has been installed. According to Agli, the contest rules and the participation form will be communicated to the interested journalists before 30 May 2021. In parallel with the launch of the 1st edition of Reda Hamiani Business Press Prize, Agli announced the creation of a press club within the confederation open to business media professionals. The club will house meetings, debates and training sessions aimed at improving journalists' skills in dealing with major economic challenges, said the CPAC leader. ------------------------------------ EFE
Wherever there is freedom of the press in the world, "scarcity is its greatest threat", a peril that affects both public and private media and that can only be tackled with "the structural strength of journalistic companies", says the president of Agencia EFE, Gabriela Ca ňas.May 3 is International Press Freedom Day, a right that does not exist in many countries. But when it is taken for granted in others, "it exposes you to all kinds of pressures, and that is fatal, because you also have an appearance of freedom that deep down you don't have, which is almost the worst thing," Caňas says in an interview. 15 The president of EFE arrived a year ago at the Spanish international news agency with the added "weight" of being the first woman at the head of the institution in its 82-year history and with the aim of boosting its already established reputation in the world news scene. But it is not a particularly heavy "weight", as she never thought that her current position was unattainable. Perhaps it is the result of her upbringing: "I never thought about it. We were four sisters and my father was an enthusiast of the four of us, anything we did seemed good to him," Caňas explains. And now, at 63, the fact of being one of the few women in the world to hold such a position represents a personal challenge as well as the chance of "being an example". "A few days ago we analyzed the top ten agencies in the world and we saw that the only one with a woman at the helm is EFE. This should not only be a mirror for women, but also for men and for the whole sector, which is very masculinized, and a spur for other agencies to think about what they are doing", she says. A steadfast feminist, "because feminism is equality," Caňas has been involved in equality issues throughout her career: "I have always been interested in them, they have always seemed very important to me. There was a time when I thought the battle was lost, I didn't see the impetus from women". However, she appreciates that at present things are changing "in a very radical and positive way", both socially and journalistically. "Spain has been a very important standard-bearer for equality. And I don't want to talk only about women, I think that in recent years, above all, there have been a lot of men who are in favor of this, and who recognize that equality is a benefit for everyone," she says. That is why it is important to have a "woman's point of view" in the media "that has been a refuge, a resistance of men" until a few years ago. "The world has been told to us by men. There are areas in the media that are a scandal of masculinization and misogyny, for example the opinion or culture sections," she says. A woman's point of view "not only can change things a lot, it is already changing them," says Caňas. "Twenty years ago, the media did not dedicate space to abuse or domestic violence. This has been opening up because there has been pressure from women, and also from many men, on some issues that are very important," she says. Caňas exemplifies this situation in the King of Spain Awards for International Journalism, organized annually by EFE and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
"There are a lot of very good works that deal with the issue of equality, female mistreatment, women's inequality, the problems they have in countries where abortion is not allowed even in cases of rape. This issue has made its way into the world of communication. And at EFE we are in that line, since before I came here. And we have to continue in this direction, because women make up half the world," she explains. RETURNING TO TRUTHFUL, VERIFIED INFORMATION The president of EFE highlights providing accurate information amid the huge impact of social media as one of the challenges facing the current global news landscape, for "killing us press agencies as well as the media.""There has always been fake news. The difference is that now there are very powerful social networks with enormous potential consequences with a flagrant lack of responsibility. There we have the example of Donald Trump," she points out. That is why Caňas reminds us of the media's obligation to correct any false information, "an obvious principle of professional deontology", while on social media "nobody takes charge". "This has completely transformed the world of communication. It is doing us a lot of harm from the political and economic point of view, and from the point of view of information and education, because in the end (journalists) also educate," she says. Fact checking, which the Spanish international news agency carries out from its EFE Verifica section, "is part of our lifelong work, but we have to consider that we are doing it as self-defense, we are defending ourselves from something that is extremely harmful to democracies," says Caňas. EFE's verification tool was born in Spain, but it is doing important work in other parts of the world, such as Latin America, a region of special interest for the Agency, since it is its "natural market"."We are well established in Latin America and the project is to strengthen it. And in this sense, EFE Verifica is very important, because with the pandemic there has been a major explosion of fake news which is very dangerous for public health, and we are doing a very interesting work that should be expanded", the president of EFE explains. In spite of everything, Caňas is optimistic about the future: "People will return to truthful information on their own. Once we have lived through this explosion of social media, and given the lack of credibility of so many people who use them, people will return to the origins of information and to the journalism of old, which is what guarantees good, neutral and truthful information, although the truth always has many corners". EFE ėuRAE, a tool to support journalists around the world in the use of the Spanish language, held his first meeting with Queen Letizia of Spain Queen Letizia of Spain held her first meeting as the honorary president of the Foundation of Emerging Spanish (FundėuRAE) at the headquarters of the Spanish Royal Academy (RAE). FundėuRAE is a non-profit organization created in 2005 in collaboration with the Royal Spanish Academy and Agencia Efe and its main objective it to promote the proper use of Spanish in the media and support journalists around the world in the use of this language. Letizia, who accepted FundėuRAE's honorary presidency in January, was informed about the current situation of the foundation, its plans for 2021, and projects under development. She discussed the role of Spanish in the media and reviewed the potential points on the new edition of the Language and Journalism Congress, set to take place in San Mill άn de la Cogolla later this year.The role of FundėuRAE as a tool to support journalists in a changing environment was also on the agenda. Among those who took part in the meeting were Santiago Muňoz Machado, chief of FundėuRAE and RAE director, and Gabriela Caňas, FundėuRAE vice president and president of Agencia Efe. Spanish writers Carme Riera, Soledad Puėrtolas, Josė Mar ίa Merino and Alex Grijelmo also attended the meeting, as well as FundėuRAE director Olivia Piquero.More: Xavier Aldekoa wins Saliou Traorė award for Nat Geo story on Africa childhood EFE Madrid25 May 2021 Xavier Aldekoa wins Saliou Traorė award for Nat Geo story on Africa childhood
The report, "Africa. A future with names and surnames", was published in the National Geographic Magazine and illustrated with photographs by Alfons Rodriguez. The decision of the jury - whose members included the president of Spanish news agency EFE, Gabriela Caňas, among others - highlighted the report's "unique andinteresting approaches, which emphasize not only the present but also the future of Africa. It is a commitment to long-range journalism". Aldekoa underlined that the over two-year-long project "focuses on the generation of Africa's future. Through the stories of 10 boys and girls in 10 African countries." The award coincided with the observation of World Africa Day, commemorating the founding of the Organisation of African Unity - now known as the African Union - on May 25, 1963. The Saliou Traore Award includes a prize money of 5,000 euros ($6,124) and a sculpture by Maria de Frutos, winner of Spain's National Plastic Arts Award in 2015. The journalism prize, named after former EFE correspondent Saliou Traore - who served in Dakar, Sengal, for more than 30 years -, is sponsored by the Government of the Canary Islands and Naviera Armas. EFE alf/hma/sc TAP 
TAP celebrates its 60th anniversary (TAP)-Sixty years have passed since the creation of TAP news agency (1961-2021), date of the Agency's first dispatch on January 1, 1961. A ceremony was held Friday in Tunis to mark the 60th anniversary of this media institution which has a leading role on the national scene. A 15-minute documentary, produced by a TAP team was broadcast on the occasion. It featured, in particular, testimonials from the Agency's partners and several journalists. A prize-awards ceremony was held at the closing session to reward best productions of 2020. The Agency has ten desks: political, economic, social, cultural, sports, regional and international news desks, photo department, multimedia and English language desk. For an optimised coverage of news in the regions, TAP deploys the largest network of journalists and correspondents in all governorates. It also has a digital photo laboratory and a photo library with about 1.5 million photos, some of which date from the pre-independence period. The Agency also has a documentation department that serves as a database for journalists and various national institutions. --------------------------------- ==================================
AA -Anadolu Agency Photos of the Year winners awarded Award ceremony held at agency's headquarters Sefa Sahin | 12.01.2021
Winners of the Anadolu Agency Photo of the Year contest were presented with their awards at a ceremony held in Turkey's capital Ankara. The award ceremony was attended by agency's Director-General Senol Kazanci, Deputy Director-General and Editor-in-Chief Metin Mutanoglu, and Deputy Director General Mustafa Ozkaya. Kazanci presented plaques to Ozkan Bilgin, winner in the news category for Avalanche Disaster in Van; Muhammed Said, winner in the life category for Joy of Infant Muhammed; and Fecri Barlik, winner in the sports category with Volleyball Field Made of Plastics. Thanking the contributors, Kazanci underlined the importance of the contest saying it "contributes to the promotion of Anadolu Agency". Congratulating the winners of the contest, Mutanoglu said their efforts add value to Anadolu Agency. "Through this contest, we show Anadolu Agency is the center of photography in Turkey," he noted. Also speaking at the award ceremony, Ozkaya said their intention was to organize a contest that would contribute to the promotion of Anadolu Agency. Winner Said said: "The photo I took became a symbol of Turkey's humanitarian policies." Kazanci, on the picture taken in a refugee camp in northern Syria, remarked that it had attracted attention from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, First Lady Emine Erdogan and Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, who later helped in the medical treatment of infant Muhammed. Mutanoglu said he had taken a personal interest in the picture and the story behind it, and he will closely follow infant Muhammed's condition in the future. ---- A total of 394,624 people joined the voting throughout December. Ozkan Bilgin's Avalanche disaster in Turkey's Van won the first place in the news category, while Happiness of baby Muhammad by Muhammad Said became first in the life category.
Bilgin's photograph depicts a Turkish soldier sitting in the snow with teary eyes and holding the vest of his friend buried under a second avalanche during search and rescue efforts for the victims of the first avalanche in the eastern Van province's Bahcesaray district.
The photo taken by Said shows father Khalid Mosaitef throwing his 15-month-old congenital amputee son Muhammad in the air after returning back to Idlib, Syria with prosthesis legs following his treatment in Turkey upon Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu's instruction. Barlik's photo shows a group of children wearing masks and playing volleyball at a court they made with vehicles tires in the southeastern Siirt province.
Anadolu Agency held its first Photos of the Year contest in 2012.
Istanbul Photo Awards announces jury for 2021 contest Seasoned Reuters photojournalist Goran Tomasevic joins this year's jury of contest involving prestigious names Dilan Pamuk | 11.02.2021
The jury for the international photography contest Istanbul Photo Awards 2021, organized by Anadolu Agency for the seventh time this year, has been announced. This year's jury includes NOOR Agency Photojournalist Yuri Kozyrev, Visual Storyteller Marion Mertens, AFP Former Director of Photo Business Development Michel Scotto, Author and Photojournalist Deborah Copaken, Getty Images Chief Sports Photojournalist Cameron Spencer, Photojournalist Ahmet Sel, Anadolu Agency Visual News Editor in Chief Hasan Oymez and Anadolu Agency Photo Editor Firat Yurdakul. Goran Tomasevic, Reuters photojournalist who has covered the world's biggest stories for over 20 years, also joined the jury of the contest this year. His photos, which have become some of the most enduring images of the conflicts fought in the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria, and photographic features from Africa bear witness to history and are published on international media. Tomasevic's works have been recognized with many prestigious international awards such as the Pulitzer and World Press Photo. His works were exhibited at Czech Photo Gallery in 2012, Hong Kong's Foreign Correspondents Club in 2014 and the annual Visapour l'Image festival in Perpignan multiple times. The jury of the contest, which is participated by hundreds of professional photographers worldwide annually, will meet online on May 4 to 6. The winners will be announced on May 11 after the selection process, followed on the platform specially prepared for the contest by the Anadolu Agency's dedicated tech team. Information related to the jury members composed of a prestigious member of the world of photography can be accessed at www.istanbulphotoawards.com/Jury/. The winner of Photo of the Year, who is Single News category first prize winner, will be awarded $6,000. The winners in other categories will be awarded $3,000 for first prize, $1,500 for second prize, and $1,000 for third. Only first place will be awarded in Story Daily Life and Story Portrait categories. 6 Anadolu Agency bags international photo award Turkish photojournalists awarded in Local Team Picture Story of Year category with photo series 'An Open Door to Europe' Fatih Yorganci | 19.02.2021
Photojournalists from Turkey's leading news source Anadolu Agency on Thursday were recognized by the Pictures of the Year (POY) International Award. Anadolu Agency's team received the finalist award in the category of Local Team Picture Story of the Year with the photo series "An Open Door to Europe".
Anadolu Agency (AA) photojournalists receive the finalist award at Pictures of the Year International (POY) Photojournalists Sebnem Coskun, Elif Ozturk, Arif Hudaverdi Yaman, Gokhan Balci, and Onur Coban's 20-image photo series depict a group of asylum seekers in Turkey's northwestern border province of Edirne hoping to go to Europe. The annual photo competition is a program of the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at the Missouri School of Journalism in the US and has been awarding the best photojournalism since 1944. The awards are given in various categories after reviewed by an expert jury in the field of press photography every year. This year's Local Team Picture Story of the Year is a new premiere category and "recognizes the collaborative effort of a photo staff covering a single topic that is important to its local audience," according to POY's website. "It is a narrative picture story or series that is comprised of pictures taken as part of a team or staff effort to cover a local issue or news story," it added. Anadolu Agency trains journalists from 50 states Nearly 900 journalists receive various in-person, online trainings from Anadolu Agency News Academy throughout 2020 Muhammet Tarhan | 29.12.2020 8
Anadolu Agency News Academy organized in-person and online training programs for 888 journalists from 50 countries across the globe this year despite the novel coronavirus pandemic. The News Academy of Turkey's leading news agency, which continues its activities under the agency's 100th-anniversary vision and aims to share the organization's centennial journalism experience with media representatives from different continents, organized training programs in 27 categories throughout the year. Continuing its trainings during the pandemic, the News Academy organized online programs for the first time in this context. The News Academy training programs climbed by 58% in 2020 compared to the previous year, despite the outbreak. While organizing training programs in 17 categories last year, the News Academy raised this number to 27 in 2020. Accordingly, nearly an 80% rise in the total course hours was also reported this year as the News Academy provided 2,662 hours of courses, compared to 1,473 the previous year. While a total of 567 media representatives attended the trainings in 2019, this number reached 888 in 2020, while another significant rise was noticed in the number of foreign media representatives attending the courses. However, six trainings on war journalism planned to be organized for the agency personnel and international journalists were canceled due to coronavirus measures.
New trainings in curriculum The News Academy provides special training programs to train expert journalists in the field. 9 Along with the existing modules of energy journalism, diplomacy journalism, and next generation media, this year humanitarian journalism, data journalism, and defense reporting were also added to the curriculum. In addition to theoretical journalism courses, the program also included practical courses such as journalism in crisis regions, drone training, and F keyboard training. While 70 experts from Anadolu Agency's experienced staff lectured during the trainings, 22 guest lecturers participated in the programs and shared their experiences. Trainees from 50 countries The News Academy shared Anadolu Agency's 100 years of experience in Turkish, English, and Arabic languages with media representatives from 50 friendly countries throughout the year. A total of 466 international journalists, including media representatives from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific region, and Central Asian countries, participated in the trainings. The successful journalists were given certificates. Joint trainings The News Academy this year has expanded the program's content as well as the diversity of the participants. The academy organized 10 trainings jointly with the Turkey's Cooperation and Coordination Agency and two with the country's Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities. As part of the program, Anadolu Agency's experienced reporters gave lectures on internet journalism, news writing techniques, social media applications, news and infographics, as well as images and photo shooting. In-house trainings continue The in-house trainings of the News Academy for the Anadolu Agency employees continued throughout the year, both in-person and online, with protective measures against the coronavirus outbreak. These trainings also included programs on news language, diction, agency reporting, UAV-1 certified drones, and F keyboard. * Writing by Jeyhun Aliyev --------------------------------------------------------
AFP calls on the Ethiopian authorities to release a man who was arrested while he was serving as a translator for a team of its journalists reporting in the Tigray region, 10 the scene of a military operation launched in early November by Addis Ababa against the then regional authorities. Fitsum Berhane was arrested at his home on Friday night by uniformed men in the regional capital Mekele and has since been detained without being able to see his relatives. Another man, Alula Akalu, who was working as a translator with a journalist from the Financial Times daily, was arrested a few hours later on Saturday in Mekele, and he too remains detained. Fitsum Berhane was arrested after working for three days as a translator for a team of AFP journalists duly accredited by the Ethiopian authorities for a series of reports in the northern region of Tigray. It has been difficult to access Tigray, and communication in the region has been difficult, since a military intervention by federal forces took place last November to oust the dominant party, the TPLF (Tigray People's Liberation Front), from power in the region. Tigray's interim authorities have indicated that the two translators are under investigation, without further details. "We have not been informed of any specific charges against Fitsum Berhane. His collaboration with a media outlet should not be a motive for his arrest, and we call for his immediate release," said Phil Chetwynd, AFP's Global News Director. Changes to the Executive committee at AFP Agence France-Presse is making changes to its management team, with the appointment of new directors at the helm of the Latin America, Africa, North America regions and the Brand and Communications department, effective between April and July 2021. Maria Lorente, who has been the Buenos Aires bureau chief since 2019, will replace Pierre Ausseill as regional director for the Latin America region. Pierre Ausseill will replace Boris Bachorz as director for the Africa region. Boris Bachorz for his part has been named Brand and Communications Director. Finally, Marc Lavine will replace Brigitte Dusseau as regional director for North America.
-------------------------------------------------------- The Athens News Agency (AMNA) announced the appointment of a new president and general director, with Aimilios Perdikaris assuming the helm of Greece's 116-year-old press agency. Perdikaris, 41, received his law degree from the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens' Law School , with post-graduate studies in communication and new media at the University of Athens' school of mass media and communication. A member of the Athens Journalists' Union (ESIEA) since 2010, he has worked as a reporter, political correspondent, producer, program host and as a media executive 12 for several periodicals - including at several of Greece's top newspapers - as well as broadcast media. Besides his native Greek, he speaks English and German. He is married with three daughters. -------------------------------------------------------- APS - Reactivation of Press Aid Fund scheduled for 2021
ALGIERS- The reactivation of Press Aid Fund, blocked in 2014, is scheduled for the current year, said Minister of Communication, Spokesperson of the government, Ammar Belhimer. "This reactivation, approved by the Prime Minister on the basis of a proposal we had made, tends to help the private media to overcome their financial difficulties, further complicated by the cessation of activities caused by the corona virus pandemic (Covid-19)," said Belhimer in an interview at the ExpressDZ site. In another realm, the minister informed most of 10 projects launched in January 2020, "to stabilize a sector long left in disarray, are well advanced. Such projects pertain to "establishing an adequate legal framework to govern electronic media sector, updating the articles of incorporation of TDA (Algeria Broadcasting) to include Alcomsat-1 products marketing, advertising, as well as polling and communication agencies." Belhimer recalled that 2021 main objective is to amend 2012 Organic Law on Information "in order to adapt it to the new Constitution and upgrades in the field" and will be "thought with the assistance of all stakeholders and professionals in the sector." "In the meantime, other projects will continue to strive, such as setting up legal frameworks to regulate advertising and also communication companies' activities". The minister stated that the advertising market "has not been left in the state of anarchy it knew", indicating that pending the adoption of the executive decree relating to this industry, ANEP (national communication, publishing and advertising company) has undertaken, in its capacity as exclusive state authority, to bring access to public announcements in conformity with the laws of the republic, through a series of transitional criteria, fifteen in all, which will take effect shortly. --------------------------------------------------------
Dear Colleagues, The time is ripe to retire from the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) after 37 years, starting as the first full time reporter in February 1984 and ending as Director on 31 March 2021. It was a long journey that has given me many things and, at the same time, I have given it a lot. I have devoted my whole life. I have earned experiences and many friends. CNA Editor-in-Chief George Christodoulides will replace me until the appointment of a new CNA Director. Although I feel pity that I leave CNA, at the same time, I am happy that I continue my duties as Secretary of the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN). According to the new AMAN Statute, <<Secretary>> means <<any person appointed to perform the duties of the Secretary of the company>>, now a non-profit organisation. This means that the Secretary could be any person approved at a General Meeting <<by the majority of at least two-thirds (2/3) of members present and having a right to vote>>.My three-year term in office as AMAN Secretary ends in October this year. Hopefully, we will be able in October 2021 to have, in person, our General Meeting in Dubrovnik, Croatia, hosted by HINA. Best regards George Penintaex AMAN Secretary ---------
Dear George, I would like to pay tribute to your 37 years of service in the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), which culminated in your well-deserved consecration as director. I welcome your willingness to continue your career with the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN) which is certainly proud to have an experienced person like yourself among its volunteer members. I wish you a very good retirement full of surprises and moments of affection with all your loved ones. 14 Fakhreddine Beldi Director General Algerie Presse Service (APS) AMAN President --------------------------------------------------------
EFE News Agency has adapted to the COVID-19 crisis with special health measures in all its offices and the remote work of 90 percent of its staff. A special commission made up of company executives, administrative, medical, management and journalistic staff has supervised the labor and health measures adopted since February 2020 to guarantee the continuity of its news services and the health of its workers. The journalists have maintained the volume of general news production demanded by the Spanish agency's clients and have also provided extensive coverage of the pandemic globally, in text, photo and video. They have done their work from multiple angles and with special reports based on data journalism, news gathering in the field and thousands of direct testimonies. Their greatest effort has been to bring this information on a daily basis from new perspectives and focused on the people and social problems raised by the health drama suffered around the world. The year of the pandemic has also been the year of the reinforcement of its Fact-Checking and news verification unit, which has had in the fake news arising from the health crisis one of its greatest sources of work. As a service to society of a public media, EFE has freely distributed all its news production on COVID-19, which has also been published on its website efe.com. EFEComunica, a new content and services platform for institutions and companies EFE News Agency has launched EFEComunica, a new platform focused on content production and distribution in Spanish, communication consulting and event organization services for institutions and companies. With a specialized staff in the commercial, journalistic and management areas, it provides extensive impact through more than 1,800 Spanish and international media subscribers. 15 EFEComunica's products and services cover Spanish-speaking markets extensively and offer a way to improve presence and visibility in the media and social networks. It provides knowledge and expertise to develop communication strategies and 360 o solutions in key areas such as health, environment, food, agriculture, feminism, tourism or technology.Among the main areas of work of the new platform are communication consultancy, commercial and institutional storytelling strategies, production of quality branded content for any news format, planning of media impact actions and content promotion. EFEComunica also provides strategic information for each market, organization of events on topics of special interest for the public agenda and virtual press room or meeting point services between companies and the media. https://efecomunica.efe.com/en/ Social denunciation in Latin America wins King of Spain Awards organized by Agencia EFE Publications on social, gender and human rights claims in Latin America won the majority of the King of Spain International Journalism Awards, created by Agencia EFE and the Spanish Office for International Cooperation with Development (AECID). A jury composed of prominent international journalism professionals, gathered for the first time telematically due to the coronavirus pandemic, chose the ten winners of the 38th edition of these awards, to which 155 works published in 2020 in some twenty countries have competed. "The videos of the social outbreak", published online by the Chilean newspaper La Tercera, received the King of Spain Digital Journalism Award. Also receiving awards were the reports "Silent never more", on the Mexican feminist struggle, by the Univision Noticias Digital network, and "Migrants: resisting in the midst of the pandemic", which dives into the emigration of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans to Colombia, published by the Bogota newspaper El Tiempo. The image entitled "The last embrace", by Colombian photographer Carlos Velasquez, which captures the drama of the loss of a brother during the pandemic, won in the photo category. The Radio award went to a live interview on W Radio Colombia entitled "Cliver Alcala: The Venezuelan retired general who confessed his plan to assassinate Nicolas Maduro". The Television award was won by the production "Leonardo Padura, a squalid and moving story", by Cuban Nayare Menoyo. Portuguese journalist Catarina Goncalves' denunciation of the global impact of plastic 16 waste in "Plastic: the new continent", on the Portuguese TVI channel, received the Environmental Journalism and Sustainable Development award. El Periodico de Guatemala, with 25 years of history, was awarded as Outstanding Media of Ibero-America, for its "tireless work of denunciation and investigative journalism". Finally, Pedro Simon of the Spanish newspaper El Mundo of Madrid was awarded for his article "Hugo, story of a heart", and Carlos Alvarez of Cuba, for his article "Three Cuban girls", published in the Cuban magazine El Estornudo, which won the Don Quijote Journalism Award. The prizes are awarded every year in Madrid by the King and Queen of Spain and among the winners are journalists from all over Latin America and writers such as Mario Vargas Llosa and Arturo Perez Reverte.
Efe and Casa Africa launch 3rd edition of Spanish journalism prize EFE, Madrid, 15 Mar 2021 A file image shows the Saliou Traore prize. EFE/FILE The third edition of the Saliou Traore Prize for Spanish-language journalism, established by Efe and Casa Africa, opened to candidates Monday. The prize rewards work that brings the reality of the African continent to the general public. The Efe-Casa Africa joint initiative, which was created in 2019 in memory of Saliou Traore, the agency's Senegal-based correspondent who passed away on 13 October 2018, seeks to recognize journalists focusing their attention on "inclusive, sustainable and egalitarian development," as well as social life and solidarity. EFE's President Gabriela Canas said: "We hope that, despite the pandemic, which has reduced mobility throughout the world, we will receive the usual high level of journalistic work and continue to bring the most positive and richest reality of African countries to Ibero-America, and to not stop learning about Africa." With a prize of 5,000 euros and a commemorative statuette, the first edition of the award went to Pepe Naranjo, one of Spain's most veteran journalists in Africa, while Spanish journalist Carla Fibla won the second edition. Journalists of any nationality who have published work in the Spanish language about the African continent or a topic that applies to Africa are eligible to participate in the contest. For long reportage or investigative pieces, candidates need only present a single chapter, accompanied by a synopsis of the complete work. The annual prize aims to encourage "information that seeks to steer clear of stereotypes that strengthen the focus on problematic or conflict aspects." Is organizers recall that Africa is one of the most under-represented regions in the world today. Casa Africa's Director General Jose Segura Clavell said: "We are extremely excited to continue to present this award, this tribute to Saliou Traore is consolidated with the effort to encourage more and better journalism on Africa in the Spanish language." "It is essential that journalism, which like so many sectors has been through a tough year, maintains its commitment to quality while providing information, without stereotypes and with broader views, on the immense variety of realities on the continent," he added. The opportunity is, according to its organizers, a stimulus and recognition of the work of journalism professionals who report on Africa in Spanish and an incentive for the publication of topics on the African continent in Spanish. Professional journalist associations and institutions, as well as the leadership of Casa Africa and Efe correspondents all over the world, may nominate candidates for the award.EFE --------------------------------------------------------
The Moroccan news Agency (MAP) was awarded a prize, in Essaouira, during a ceremony organized to pay tribute to several personalities and national and foreign institutions, that marked the year 2020 which was an exceptional year at all levels due to the unprecedented Covid-19 health crisis. Initiated by the media group "Minbar Essaouira", the International Center for Legal and Institutional Activities and the International Center for Vocational Training, Coaching and Support, this event, which is in its 3rd edition, took place in compliance with the health protocol and preventive measures in force to stop the spread of the pandemic. On this occasion, a prize was handed to MAP, on behalf of its Director General Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, in recognition of the enormous efforts made by this pioneering national institution which is playing a leading and central role at the national, continental, regional and international levels, in a constantly changing context. This prize is also the eloquent testimony, by the organizers, of their gratitude for the great work accomplished by the Agency throughout the past year and its very significant contribution to the efforts to fight Covid-19, through the publication of 18 verified and credible information related to the new coronavirus, with a view to keeping the public opinion informed of developments concerning this pandemic in Morocco and in the world, as well as measures taken or to be taken against the spread of the virus, thanks to the proven professionalism of its teams in its 12 regional centers and its very extensive network of international centers and correspondents. During this ceremony, other Prizes were also awarded to several institutions and national figures who distinguished themselves in 2020, namely the Royal Armed Forces (military medicine), the Auxiliary Forces (medicine sector), the Ministry of Interior (agents of local authorities), the Ministry of Health, represented on this occasion by the regional director of the ministry in Marrakech-Safi Lamia Chakiri, the Higher Council of the Judiciary, the Presidency of the Public Prosecution, the Ministry of State in charge of Human Rights and relations with parliament, the Director General of National police, Director General of National Territory Surveillance Abdellatif Hammouchi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad Nasser Bourita, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Green and Digital Economy Moulay Hafid ElAlamy, the late journalist Salaheddine El Ghomari and the coach of the Raja de Casablanca team Jamal Sellami. Several foreign personalities were also awarded prizes on this occasion, like David T. Fischer, former Ambassador of the United States to Morocco, Ali Salem Al Kaabi, former Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates in Rabat and Abdu Razzaq Guy Kambogo, former Ambassador of Gabon to Morocco, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Eid Al Thani, of the Qatari Sheikh Eid Charitable Association, and Saudi media member Ahmad Al Shugairi.
The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) launched a new information website with the ambition to become a reference media for young people aged between 15 and 35 years. The "DIB News" (Digital information broadcast) website is intended primarily for an urban population looking for platforms to reveal their creativity and talent. Starting from the observation that the media are not very inclusive in terms of youth, "DIB News" seeks to remedy this by offering a media product which favors creativity and expression, by addressing subjects and themes relating to the expectations of young people in a simple and accessible language and a friendly tone. DIB News also aims at highlighting successful social and human experiences, encouraging content creators and supporting movements of ideas, modern currents while prioritizing contemporary art, namely plastic arts, music, literature, photography, theater and cinema. To carry out its mission, the DIB News website will be based on high-quality videos, which will not exceed three minutes. It will also feature interviews, documentaries and tutorials which will be broadcast on all social networks (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Youtube ...). 19 All the content of DIB News will be designed by a group of young journalists and technicians of the new generation who will seek to enrich all the platforms of this information platform with programs relating to the problems, ambitions and aspirations of Moroccan youth. The launch of the new DIB News site consecrates MAP's orientation in multimedia issues, making it a key player in the national media landscape, thanks to the efforts undertaken over the past years as part of a clear strategic vision that seeks to turn MAP into an agency of the 21st century.
A media partnership agreement was signed at ICESCO's headquarters in Rabat between the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). This agreement, signed by MAP Director General, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, and ICESCO Director General, Salim M. AlMalik, will enable the joint implementation of several practical programs and projects for a renewable period of five years. It will also help train journalists and media professionals from the ICESCO Member States, particularly in Africa, co-organize international media conferences and cooperate in the areas of publishing and production of information materials. Under this agreement, the two parties undertake to cooperate for the organization of the 7th International Conference of International News Agencies that MAP will hold in Marrakech, in 2022. The two parties will also form a joint committee for monitoring and overseeing the implementation of the agreement, particularly the development of a results-based action plan, the preparation of the implementation schedule and modalities, and the submission of periodic reports to the officials concerned on the progress of the projects. Speaking to M24 News Channel, Hachimi Idrissi underlined the importance of the agreement signed with ICESCO, noting that this partnership will not only open the agency to ICESCO's international activities, but will also allow ICESCO to support some of MAP activities at the international level, in particular towards African press agencies, in the fight against fake news and in the training of journalists. The ICESCO "demonstrates, through this agreement, its concrete and real desire to be present in the information sector in Africa, through the Moroccan News Agency, and in the direction of our African colleagues, so that we can have better journalism, better verified information, and better professional practice ", he said. "This agreement aims to strengthen the publication of accurate and verified information, and move away from fake news spread by social media or other outlets", said ICESCO Director General, adding that the objective of this agreement is to 20 strengthen cooperation with the MAP, through the training of journalists, particularly in Africa, and the organization of conferences and workshops.
The integration seminar of the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) aims to enable young recruits to take ownership of the company's culture, said in Sale, MAP Director General, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi. The seminar, which has become a regular exercise carried out by MAP, aims to enable young recruits to take ownership of the company's culture and to get to know its actual role in Morocco's economy, culture and society, Hachimi Idrissi told M24 News Channel, on the occasion of the launch of the integration seminar for new recruits, under the theme "Taking Ownership of an Approach of Excellence." It also aims to allow young recruits to learn about the diversity of MAP's products, he explained. "There can be no quality products or approaches to excellence without a method of quality and excellence." "We rely upstream on their training and we bring them today's MAP methodology and culture which is based on results, innovation, ambition and especially on quality and excellence," Hachimi Idrissi underlined. The supervision of these recruits must be done with the values, principles and methods of the company, he added. "If we do not proceed in this manner, the supervision of young recruits will be done in an anarchic and disorderly manner," MAP Director-General said, inviting young recruits to follow, with a very open mind, the career plan offered by the Agency, which is "the first public information hub" in the country. Speaking on this occasion, MAP Secretary-General, Rachid Boumhil said that recruitment, which is now a major stake, is among the concerns of the Agency. MAP values, which relate to ambition, innovation, openness, ethics and professionalism as well as public service, are a vector of thoughts, a central thread of behavior and the guiding principle of attitudes adopted, he stated. "Integration is a whole cycle that will last a whole year to allow young recruits to join the company's culture and to develop other skills.". In similar remarks, MAP Information Director Abdelghani Aouifia noted that, during the last decade, the Agency has embarked in a vast reform project aimed at maintaining and strengthening its position as the powerhouse of the national press and a leader in the Arab and African region. This project -- in the absence of which MAP was facing the risk of failing in its mission of protecting national sovereignty in the field of information-- established the diversification of products as the keystone of a change process, he said. 21 MAP's diversified services have brought a new breath of fresh air to the Agency's work and transformed the institution into a true multi-media public information hub, which is about to take on a new dimension with the entry on the scene of M24 and RIM Radio. For her part, personal development consultant, trainer and expert-coach, Atika Abenkcer Zairi stressed that human capital is at the core of MAP's priorities thanks to modern human resources management geared towards success. The key word of this remarkable transformation is excellence. The opening of the two-day seminar (Feb. 19-20) at the Bouregreg yacht club was marked by presentations given by MAP's directors, focusing on "A New Human Capital Policy to Cultivate Excellence"; "New MAP Formats and Products"; "Monetization for Development Projects"; "Challenger and innovation by metrics"; "Witnessing a Real Change" and "M24 and RIM, the New Face of Cross Media MAP". This training cycle focused on soft skills is carried out by specialized coaches who are certified worldwide and have all the necessary qualifications to successfully complete this project. A total of 9 training sessions will be held throughout the year on themes geared towards building excellence and incorporating performance for each participant. -------------------------------------------------------- OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS
27 January 2021 / 10:17 Sofia, January 27 (BTA) - Parliament elected here on Wednesday Kiril Vulchev as the Bulgarian News Agency's (BTA) Director General for a five year term. Vulchev's bid to head the national news agency was supported by 105 MPs, none abstained or were against. He took an oath in Parliament following his election. The other candidate for the post, Ivaylo Danailov, was supported by 65 MPs, two voted against and 87 abstained. Parliament put to the vote the nominated candidates in alphabetical order. Danailov was nominated by the Bulgarian Socialist Party and Vulchev - by GERB. A candidate is considered elected under the adopted rules of procedure if they receive more than half of the votes of the attending MPs. During his hearing by the Parliamentary Culture and Media 22 Committee last week, Vulchev vowed to insist on making access to BTA's news content free for everyone. That is why he believes BTA must keep providing quick and accurate information. His plans are to turn the news agency into a source of news from the whole Balkans for the world, which would require BTA to open correspondent offices in all neighbouring countries. The first one is planned for Skopje. The trade unions at BTA and its interim Director General had expressed their support for journalist and lawyer Kiril Vulchev, who started off as a reporter at the news agency and was then its legal adviser. Vulchev's election to the post comes after longtime BTA Director General Maxim Minchev passed away last November after being treated for COVID-19. Kiril Vulchev was born in Sofia on May 24, 1973. He graduated Sofia University with a law degree. He has also completed a professional radio management course at Deutche Welle in Germany (1995), a leadership program with the German Marshall Fund in the US (2000) and an internship with BBC's Bulgarian section in London. Vulchev worked as a reporter at BTA's English Service between 1993 and 1995. He has been hosting Darik Radio's weekly radio show since 1993. BTA's newly elected chief is also Secretary of the Union of Bulgarian National Electronic Media. As a lawyer, he has focused on matters related to media and copyright, and served as BTA's and Darik Radio's legal advisor. He has contributed to drafting the Bulgarian News Agency Act in 2011. Vulchev is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions in the media field. NV/MY
============================================ Anadolu Agency Photos of the Year voting in spotlight Shortlist of 76 candidates opens for voting on Tuesday, will last until Dec. 31 Anadolu Agency staff
ANKARA Voting for Anadolu Agency's Photos of the Year contest, marking the essential events of this year, attracts attention.
Anadolu Agency, Turkey's premier news outlet, held its first Photos of the Year contest in 2012. This year, 76 images were selected from more than 750,000 photos from various parts of the world, including Syria, Palestine, Russia, China, and Azerbaijan.
Photos will be selected across three categories, including news, life, and sport, from Anadolu Agency photojournalists or correspondents who have had an impact on the Turkish and world agendas. Among the photographs, which include the shots determined by AA photo editors, there are photographs that are frequently used in leading media organs of the world media.
The images were put to a vote in the news category with 31 entries, life with 30 entries, and sports with 15 entries. Categories are also available with Turkish and English captions. Healthcare workers who are fighting with COVID-19 in the frontline were the first group of people that took part in this year's voting.
Also, many people from different professions, students, athletes and politicians have already chosen their favorite photos so far in Turkey. Last year, nearly 280,000 people took part in the voting.
This year's voting will continue through Dec. 31 at Anadolu Agency's website at aa.com.tr/photooftheyear .
 2021
Call for Entry
We are glad to share the news that Istanbul Photo Awards 2021 applications are open! Calling for professional photographers to apply in six categories with the best shots of the year. Application period will be open via website until March 18th.Kindly find the details on the news; http://v.aa.com.tr/2081264 Do not hesitate to use the news and contact with us for further issues.
Co contact us: istanbulphoto@aa.com.tr ------------------------------------------------ AFP offers exclusive coverage of the conflict in Tigray Agence France-Presse (AFP) was the first independent media to reach Tigray since the Ethiopian government launched a major military operation against the dissident authorities in the far northern region of the country.
AFP was also the first international news agency to publish, starting on 12 November, images from the Sudanese border of the arrival of tens of thousands of Ethiopians fleeing the conflict. AFP has been the only media to maintain a permanent presence there. Journalists from AFP were also the first to arrive at Mai-Kadra and report on the presence of mass graves where several hundred civilians were summarily executed on 9 November. The AFP teams were able to compare the witness accounts at the scene with those from refugees in camps on the Sudanese side of the border. The coverage has been used widely by media around the world. Agence France-Presse, which also produced exclusive coverage of the fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh, has proved again that it has the broadest network of agency journalists worldwide and is strongly committed to telling the most difficult and challenging stories.
AMAN President, Director General of Algerie Presse Service, Mr. Fakhreddine Beldi expresses condolences for the death of LUSA Chief Innovation Officer Pedro Camacho He sent the following message to LUSA : Mrs. Monica Garcia, I was saddened to learn of the death of your colleague Mr. Pedro Camacho, Chief Innovation Officer of LUSA. I want you to know that while our relationship is first and foremost professional, I sympathize with the pain you are feeling today.In my capacity as President of AMAN and Director General of the Algerie Presse Service agency, I join all the members of the alliance and all the staff of the APS, to convey our best feelings to you.Believe, dear Madam, in our most sincere support and our deepest sympathy. Fakhreddine BELDI
Director General Algerie Presse Service
AMAN Secretary, Director of CNA, Mr. George Penintaex, expresses condolences for the death of Pedro Camacho Dear LUSA Colleagues, It is with great shock that we heard about the sudden death of our colleague Pedro Camacho, LUSA Chief Innovation Officer. The whole family of national news agencies in the Mediterranean mourns for the great loss. We express condolences, sympathy and solidarity with our colleagues at LUSA and Pedro's family. George Penintaex CNA Director AMAN Secretary
EFE Agency faces pandemic The EFE Agency reacted quickly and, in a short time, organised itself so that more than 90 percent of its employees - 85 percent in Spain and 95 percent abroad - have been teleworking since the beginning of the pandemic, an unprecedented milestone in its 81-year history. This allowed for important initiatives such as offering all information free of charge to its clients (data, graphs and reports in all formats) related to the impact of the pandemic worldwide. Its objective was to offer, at such a delicate time, rigorous and accurate information about reality to a society in "shock" due to the devastating effects of the coronavirus. EFE took great pains to find other informative angles such as the preparation of a "Diary on the state of alarm", "The logbook" or the series "The Essentials", dedicated to those essential workers who did not stop working, thus reflecting the richness of the subject matter throughout Spain. EFE also devised "The Changes", a series which analysed the future after COVID-19. King of Spain praises journalists for authenticity and quality "Journalism is always necessary, and in these times of health, economic and social crisis, especially necessary," King Felipe VI said as he presided over the 37th annual King of Spain International Journalism Awards in Madrid on the 10th of November. 8 Held at the Casa de Amėrica, the ceremony also included the presentation of the 16th edition of the "Don Quixote" Journalism Award to Mar Garcia Abad, co-founder of the Yorokobu magazine. During his speech, the King emphasised how "it is time to exercise journalistic leadership of authenticity and quality, and these attributes are precisely those exhibited by these awards, attributes conceived as a right to information for citizens, where the media are the voice of the people, and honesty its guiding principle." "The six editions that I have presided over allow me to affirm that the King of Spain International Journalism Awards and the Don Quixote Award represent an example of credibility," he continued. "They are a great exponent of journalism exercised with the utmost rigour." The awards, according to Casa Real, "recognise the informative work of journalism professionals in the Spanish and Portuguese languages of the States that make up the Ibero-American Community of Nations" as well as nations with which Spain maintains ties of a historical or cultural nature. His Majesty stressed: "Where there are good journalists there is rigour, truthfulness, research and critical analysis." Those honoured at the ceremony this year included: The Press Award to Luis Fernando Soria Sejas from El Deber, Bolivia; the Ibero-American Journalism Award to Ricardo Caldern Villegas and team, from Semana magazine, Colombia; the Television Award to Gustavo Marcelo Costa and team, from Record TV, Brazil; the Radio Award to Linda Carolay Morales Pėrez, from RCN Radio and Colombiano; the Digital Journalism Award to Miriam Herranz, representing the RTVE_El Lab de RTVE team.es, Spain; Ibero-American Special Award for Environmental and Sustainable Journalism to Sofia de Palma Rodrigues and team, from RTP Africa/Divergente.pt, Portugal; Award for Outstanding Media in Latin America to Agus Morales and team, from 5W Magazine, Spain; and Cultural and the Sustainable Development Award to Cėsar Vallejo and team, from RTVE_ la and Playz, Spain.
LUSA announces the death of Pedro Camacho
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing away of our colleague Pedro Camacho, Chief Innovation Officer of Lusa. 9Born on July 29 th, 1961, Pedro Camacho died yesterday, December 5, at the age of 59, victim of COVID-19. Editor-in-Chief of LUSA between 2015 and 2018, Pedro Camacho later took over as Chief Innovation Officer, a position he currently held. Previously he had been a journalist for Dirio de Noticias and Pblico, leading the economics editorials, and later was director of Visao magazine for ten years.At LUSA, Pedro Camacho stood out for his recognized ability to aggregate wills and resolve conflicts, having certainly the recognition of these characteristics by all colleagues. These are deeply sad and shocking days for the entire LUSA community, as we pay homage to the good man in whose life we were lucky enough to meet, to the Editor in Chief and Chief Innovation Officer, professional and companion, to the voice that still echoes fresh in our memory. In this hour of mourning and loss for LUSA, we are grateful in advance for your solidarity and friendship. MNICA GARCIA Diretora Comercial e Marketing Chief Marketing Officer AMAN member-agencies have sent messages of condolences to LUSA, sharing the grief of their colleagues at LUSA for the loss of Pedro Camacho, and wishing strength to his family.
Against all odds, NNA is adamant about remaining Lebanon's beacon of truth and most reliable news sourceThe year 2020 has dealt a harsh blow to the entire globe; it mercilessly took lives, shattered families, and devastated economies. Unfortunately, in addition to all the aforementioned Covid-19 calamities, Lebanon has endured insurmountable difficulties that have left it in a crippled state on multiple levels. The horrifying "Beirut Port Blast" can speak volumes about what the Lebanese have endured in 2020, in addition to having to bear the brunt of a rampant pandemic. Yet, the NNA news desk has managed to keep taking the lead in Lebanon's online news industry; it remains the country's most reliable news hub thanks to its continued objectivity, transparency, and accuracy covering some of the most complex news stories in the world. Neither the pandemic, nor the blast-shattered windows have prevented the NNA's devoted team and management from continuing to keep their audience well-informed about the country's developments by the minute. 10 For easier access to all of Lebanon's Coronavirus-related news, the NNA has devoted a part of its team, and a link on its website, to provide hourly news on the latest concerning the virus's developments nation-wide. The NNA has also set up a Covid-19 awareness window on its website that keeps the public informed about the continuously updated "WHO" and "Lebanon's Ministry of Health" guidelines to help curb the spread of the virus. Moreover, and amid the flurry of Fake News virally -- through the social media and the internet in general -- the NNA has launched the "Fact Check Lebanon" portal on its website to help halt the spread of disinformation and misinformation. In times of unrest and instability, rumors can be very disruptive; thus, amid the ill-fated situation, Lebanon has become fertile ground to spread sensational and fabricated stories that aim to mislead the public opinion. In its endeavor to combat this phenomenon, an NNA team has received intensive training to expose and debunk fake news and inaccurate claims through the "Fact Check Lebanon" portal. For amplified accuracy, the NNA has also been keen to transparently and objectively share with its audience all the details involving the post Beirut Port Blast initiatives, as well as those involving support in the fight against the novel Coronavirus. Additionally, many investigative stories have been published on the NNA's website to keep providing its audience with the truth behind the increasingly controversial news across the country -- be it political, economic, educational, or health related. Against all odds, the NNA is adamant about remaining Lebanon's beacon of truth and most reliable news source.
WAFA condolences for the death of Pedro Camacho WAFA Board Chairman sent the following message: Mrs. Monica Garcia Commercial and Marketing Director Chief Marketing Officer LUSA Dear Monica, It is with great sadness that I write to you on my behalf personally, and on behalf of all my colleagues of the Palestinian official media institutions to send our most heartfelt condolences on the death of Pedro Camacho, LUSA Innovation Chief Officer, to his bereaved family and LUSA staff. 11 At this moment of grief, we share the sorrow and grief of his family and stand by them in this difficult time. We also believe that his professional role would be documented in honor of his memory and for the benefit of the generations to come. We wish you and all the colleagues' good health and safety from Covid-19 pandemic, with hope that our world would get rid of it in the nearest time. We express our sincere sentiments of sympathy and distinguished esteem. With deepest sympathy, Minister\ Ahamad General Supervisor of the Palestinian Official Media Chairman of the Board of Palestine News Agency (WAFA)
YONHAP NEWS AGENCY From YONHAP, the current OANA President, we received the following letter: Dear colleagues, Yonhap News Agency again thanks you for taking part in the photo exhibition. In appreciation, Yonhap is ready to send you hard copies of the photo book. As explained in the previous e-mail, the book features exhibited pictures plus some 100 more that were contributed by participating news agencies. If you would like to receive the photo book by mail, please inform us of the NAME and PHONE NUMBER of the recipient and the FULL MAILING ADDRESS, including ZIP CODE. Please reply with the requested information by DECEMBER 23, 2020. We will be sending two copies per agency. Best regards, OANA Secretariat
International Journalists Gather to Seek the Role of the Media and Journalists in COVID-19 Pandemic Era Journalists from around the world participated in the HWPL press forum webinar to discuss the role and direction of the media and journalists in COVID-19 pandemic era. The two-day webinar "HWPL Online Media Peace Forum: The Role of Media for Peace Journalism in COVID-19 Pandemic Era" on the 27th and 28th was participated by 22 journalists from about 11 countries, including Germany, Austria, Tunisia, Malaysia, Morocco, Ivory Coast, and Mali, and about 20 global citizens and students interested in journalism were free to participate. The journalists introduced reports which promoting bias and discrimination against other ethnic groups, minority religions and other races and presented their opinions on what efforts are needed to improve attitude of media and journalists. They also had discussion on how peace journalism, could be applied in the course of actual reporting. Peace journalism was proposed by the Johan Galtung, a Norwegian sociologist, calling for a change in the attitudes and perspectives of journalists and media that leads news receivers to overvalue violent responses to conflict and ignore non-violent alternatives when reporting on conflict and violence. Andreas Klamm, a German freelance journalist, said, "It was a time to think about how the abstract concept of peace could be applied into course of actual reporting. In order for the media to be more human-rights-friendly, to consider ways to harmonize rather than focus on conflict, and to be able to offer alternatives, journalists must study more, and complete freedom of speech must be given. The media, journalists and citizens should continue to discuss and think constantly. HWPL is strengthening cooperation with media and journalists joining MOUs with 23 media companies from 22 countries across the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa. HWPL will continue to actively engage with journalists through discussions on not only peace journalism but also the human rights of journalists and the liberalization of the media from the government and media owners. HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light) is an international peace NGO associated with the UN DGC (Department of Global Communications) and granted consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). 13 --------------------------
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anadolu Agency launches diplomacy journalism program 56 trainees from 13 countries attending online courses Muhammet Tarhan | 20.10.2020
ANKARA Turkey's top news provider Anadolu Agency launched its online diplomacy journalism training program Monday for media personnel across the world. 3 The training program, accessible via video conference, was organized in coordination with the state-run Turkish International Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) for 56 trainees from 13 countries. At the launching ceremony, Anadolu Agency News Academy Director Cihangir Isbilir said with classical media now replaced by new media, traditional journalism has also turned into specialist journalism. Noting that the training program was organized within that scope, Isbilir said: "Diplomacy is very convenient for being an expert journalist because it is a very wide field. It's important for a diplomacy correspondent to make systematic follow-ups and focus on a field." "We will bring you together with the master diplomacy reporters of Anadolu Agency in this program. We will study some examples of diplomacy reporting in this short time," he added. Also speaking at the ceremony, Ugur Tanyeli, a senior TIKA official, said that over 700 media representatives in over 40 countries have taken part in numerous training programs TIKA has organized since 2017. Day one of the training ended with a lecture by the agency's diplomacy correspondent Serife Cetin on "International Journalism: EU and NATO." On day two of the training, lectures on international journalism and journalism on the Middle East are scheduled to be given by senior agency staff. The program will conclude Wednesday. *Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur
Anadolu Agency photographer wins international award Photo journalist awarded grand prize in sports category at Rossiya Segodnya International News Agency Ali Cura | 23.10.2020 4
MOSCOW Anadolu Agency photojournalist Sebnem Coskun won the grand prize in the sports category Thursday for an image taken of Turkish sportswoman Sahika Ercumen's diving record in Gilindire Cave. Coskun's photograph, "Gilindire Cave - In One Breath," displays Ercumen underwater as she broke the women's world record by exceeding the 90-meter limit in one breath in the palletless category. The competition was organized by the Rossiya Segodnya International News Agency in Moscow. More than 5.000 works from 75 countries were evaluated in news, sports and portrait categories. *Writing by Dilan Pamuk in Ankara
Anadolu Agency archive boasts nearly 10M photos, videos Online, searchable portal attracts visitors from at least 167 different countries worldwide Mehmet Tosun | 05.11.2020
The online, searchable portal of Anadolu Agency's rich photo/video archive boasts nearly 10 million pieces of content and this year attracted visits by people in 167 countries worldwide. The portal currently has over 8.5 million photos and at least 1.1 million videos from all walks of life taken by dedicated Anadolu Agency photojournalists around the globe. The agency's visual archive at anadoluimages.com is a groundbreaking online content platform that is instantly accessible from all over the world and offers easy purchasing options from the comfort of the home or office. The portal boasts over 8 million pieces of Turkish content and at least 1.5 pieces of English content. The portal also contains collections of topics curated by the agency's editors, as well as the best photos and videos related to various topics. The "Editor's Choice" page provides access to the featured photos and videos of that day. After going online in 2014, this February the platform was updated to allow people and institutions who are not Anadolu Agency subscribers to purchase online content licenses with a credit card. 5 The website currently has over 2,300 registered users from nearly 100 countries worldwide. *Writing by Merve Berker
Istanbul Photo Awards' 2nd exhibition opens in Istanbul Exhibition, organized by Anadolu Agency with the sponsorship of Turkish Airlines (THY), will run for a month Aise Humeyra Bulovali | 27.11.2020
The second exhibition featuring a selection of the awarded photographs at the international news photography competition Istanbul Photo Awards 2020 opened on Friday in Istanbul. The exhibition, organized by Anadolu Agency with the sponsorship of Turkish Airlines (THY) will run for a month at Sabiha Gokcen International Airport. More than 10,000 photo applications were made from around 100 countries to the competition, where the photos that entered the top three were determined by evaluating singular and serial photos in news and sports.
The photograph titled "Hong Kong Protests" taken for the New York Times by photojournalist Yik Fei Lam was deemed worthy of the Photo of the Year Award. A total of 12 awards were given to works addressing protests, conflicts, environmental disasters, sports activities and human stories in countries ranging from Palestine to Indonesia. Photo album with winning photos and stories can be reached at www.istanbulphotoawards.com. *Writing by Merve Berker
AFP AFP joins Inter American Press Association board of directors Maria Lorente, AFP bureau chief for Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Asuncion (Paraguay), was elected to the board of directors of the Inter American Press Association for 2020-23, during the 76th general assembly of an organisation that brings together the heads of the main Latin American press groupings and United States media. The Inter American Press Association is a non-governmental organisation defending press freedom on the American continent (South, Central and North America) that was founded in 1942 and is based in Miami, US. "The election of Maria Lorente is a tremendous sign of the recognition of AFP's work", said Pierre Ausseill, AFP Director for Latin America, "It is incredibly rare for a member of a global news agency to be represented on the board".
AFP-Services becomes FACTSTORY Ten years after its creation, AFP-Services, a subsidiary of Agence France-Presse, specializing in on-demand custom content, becomes FACTSTORY, a distinct service offering commissioned production to companies and institutions.
"This is a necessary step to solidify the identity and the position of the operation, which has evolved since its creation. It is also important for us to differentiate between services offered. FACTSTORY is a production company with major business and institutional contracts" according to Fabrice Fries, CEO of AFP and FACTSTORY.With nearly 100 customers worldwide and a revenue of seven million euros in 2019, FACTSTORY works with an unrivaled global production network, combining strong image expertise and journalistic vision. A global network FACTSTORY's network is geographically unique. Our production tea ms, available in over 150 countries, 24 hours a day, have in-depth excellent knowledge of local, regional and national issues affecting their territory. Operations are managed by six regional hubs: Paris, Brussels, Montevideo, Hong Kong, Washington and Beirut.Image expertise Imagery is the core of FACTSTORY's business. A network consisting of more than a thousand creative talents produces on-demand original, adapted, and optimized content: communication campaigns, lifestyle features, exclusive reporting, studio portraits, documentaries, sports and cultural event coverage, plus CSR content.Storytelling Our job is to tell your story, with the added value of custom content produced only for you. FACTSTORY's DNA matches the required editorial standards of AFP. An eco-responsible choice FACTSTORY is not only a network of image and content professionals, it is also eco-friendly. Working with local teams, based all around the world, helps to keep carbon emissions under control. AFP publishes Focus, a special 2020 edition on the Covid-19 pandemic Focus, AFP's annual photojournalism album, is published this year as a special edition dedicated to the unprecedented health crisis facing the planet. The album showcases the exceptional journalistic work of the agency's 450 photographers covering the Covid-19 pandemic.
The story begins on January 30, 2020 with a striking AFP photo: the body of a man lying in a street in the Chinese city of Wuhan. It marks the beginning of a global awakening about the gravity of the new coronavirus, which has shaken the planet to its very core with its catastrophic and unexpected impact on everyone's lives."2020 is a singular year, without comparison. In the Agency's 201 bureaus, our photographers have been, and are still, at the heart of the action, working to bring vital images for our collective memory," says Marielle Eudes, Photo Director at AFP.The album gives a human face to this unprecedented crisis. AFP delves into the fabric of deserted cities, stands by the bedside of patients in hospitals and intensive care units in order to tell the story of the devastation this virus is unleashing in all four corners of the world. From the most remote communities in the Amazon to the suburbs of Dakar, passing through Hollywood or European capitals, AFP photographers have depicted, at the most intimate level, how lives have been upended by the pandemic. But they have also highlighted the formidable human resilience which has emerged as we cope with the 'new normal' in a world that is still struggling to live with the disease.AFP takes star billing at the Hong Kong French Film Festival AFP will have star billing at this year's Hong Kong Film Festival, with top journalists from the Agency joining post-screening discussions and a photo exhibition by prize-winning photographer Yasuyoshi Chiba displayed throughout the event.The 49th edition of the festival, organized by the Alliance Francaise, runs from 25 November to 15 December and features 40 films that will be screened online and in cinemas. The selection includes a focus on journalists in war zones and will feature panels with speakers from AFP and the directors of the films. 9 AFP Asia-Pacific Photo Editor-in-Chief Vincent Amalvy will discuss his experiences covering the conflict in the former Yugoslavia at the showing of "Sympathy for the Devil" that depicts the siege of Sarajevo in 1992.AFP Asia-Pacific Director Philippe Massonnet will examine the safety challenges facing war correspondents at the showing of "Camille", a portrait of journalist Camille Lepage who was killed in the Central Africa Republic.And prize-winning Hong Kong photographer Anthony Wallace will be featured in conversation after the showing of "Looking for Gilles Caron", that tells the story of the photojournalist who went missing in Cambodia in 1970.An exhibition of 50 images of Africa shot by Yasuyoshi Chiba , AFP's photo director for East Africa and the Indian Ocean, will be shown before each screening throughout the festival. Chiba won the 2020 World Press Photo of the Year award for his image of protesters in the Sudanese capital Khartoum.Jean-Sėbastien Attiė, director of the Alliance Francaise Hong Kong , said: "We are very glad to partner with Agence France-Presse to bring live and in cinema Q&A sessions with film directors who are in France and Canada. We believe this partnership will bring about meaningful and insightful discussions with speakers from AFP".Massonnet praised the festival's decision to focus on war journalism: "It is rare for a public festival to put such an emphasis on journalism at its most fascinating and also at its most dangerous. AFP is delighted to take part in this event with the Alliance Francaise at a time when the fight against disinformation and for press freedom is more necessary than ever".
EFE EFE - New Head of International RelationsMs Almudena Domenech's profile Almudena Domenech is the new Head of International Relations at the Spain-based international news agency EFE, after spending five years as the bureau chief in their London office from 2015 to 2020. She was responsible for all the news coverage from the UK and Ireland. She graduated in journalism from Madrid's Complutense University after studying at the European University of Madrid, and went on to study at UCLA in Los Angeles while doing interviews for Hello magazine and Nunu pictures. When she returned to Spain, she worked for the newspaper YA and Mia magazine until she joined Agencia EFE in 1997. For the following 8 years she focused on politics, covering the activities of different party leaders in Spain. Immediately prior to her assignment in London, she had been chief of the section dedicated to social issues, mass media, education and health in Madrid's head office since 2006.Contact details: Phone: +34 913467100 Cell: +34 606703045 Email: adomenech@efe.com Skype: skf.uk.ad
MAP Morocco's News Agency a Genuine 'Public Information Hub' - MAP Managing Director Morocco's News Agency (MAP) is now a genuine public information hub, which deploys an array of professional resources to provide the public information service with all its social responsibility and editorial strength, the Agency's Managing Director, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi underlined. Beyond its function as a news agency, which is the core business of the hub - texts, photos, images, sounds, graphics - MAP is present on all niches of information, on all periodicities and all vectors, as part of its strategic plan, Hachimi Idrissi wrote in an editorial titled "A Public Information Hub Is Born." The agency offers 24/7 news radio station and TV (RIM and M24), two daily newspapers in French and Arabic ("Maroc Le Jour" and "Al Yaoum Al Maghribi"), two monthly magazines ("BAB"), as well as twenty news websites and twelve regional ones, he underscored in the editorial published on the agency's website www.map.ma. MAP publishes every year the "Album de la MAP," "Nouvelles du Maroc" and "Maroc Factuel" in four languages, in addition to other publications, reads the leading article. Given the density and diversity of the MAP products, and in the wake of the implementation of the agency's new organic law, one can only notice that the public information hub is an asset in a time when the media sector, in general, is undergoing difficult changes and facing decisive challenges, Hachimi Idrissi went on. Never before has there been a public information service so present, so diversified and so relevant in its interventions, he added. According to Hachimi Idrissi, this is all due to the quality of MAP's strategic vision, the commitment of its senior managers, the cutting-edge skills it deploys, and the general mobilization of its rigorous and professional staff. The Agency's Managing director also underscored that the media and information sectors are experiencing a global turmoil that affects its ethics, information production, business model, target definition, identification of partners, training of 11 staff, and so on. "The challenges are numerous, and the solutions are rare or painful," he said. In this difficult context, Morocco's public information hub is a stable base around which restructuring can be carried out, projects can be developed, reforms can be undertaken, and upgrades can be planned, Hachimi Idrissi concluded. MAP News TV Channel Aims to Recover Audience Share to Strengthen National Information Sovereignty The future MAP 24 hour news channel (M24) aims to present "an unprecedented product in Arabic" which aims to recover a Moroccan audience and thus consolidate national sovereignty in information matters, said the Director General of the Moroccan News Agency (MAP), Khalil Hachimi Idrissi. M24, which already exists in an experimental "Euronews"-type format, "will be launched in two or three months," Hachimi Idrissi said in an interview with the electronic news website Mėdias24.com. According to a study, Moroccans listen to 45 minutes of information per day, including 20 minutes on national media and 25 minutes on foreign media, he added, noting that the Agency wishes to recover, through its TV channel, 10 to 15 minutes out of the 25 dedicated to foreign media. Thus, MAP's new TV Channel will "strengthen national information sovereignty," he said. Hachimi Idrissi said that this TV channel adopts a "slow-news" model which tries to debate, explain and convince in order to give stakeholders in economic, political and social life time to explain to viewers what they do. In addition to M24, MAP announced on October 6 its 24-hour internet news radio, RIM Radio, which offers both a live stream and on-demand audio clips. Broadcast in Arabic on "www.rimradio.ma", the platform allows to listen live to radio newspapers, programs and pre-recorded reports (podcasts) in streaming and downloadable. The diversification of the Agency's products, which used to present a mono-product, namely the news report, was essential with, initially, a preliminary analysis of the activity of the MAP and then in the strategic vision subsequently developed, he said, explaining that the desire to diversify took place in a context of change with increasing digitization and a booming electronic press where internet was beginning to disrupt the entire media landscape. This change has enabled the arrival of a new generation of journalists better trained in digital technology who have brought know-how, new life and freshness to the agency, he pointed out. 12 MAP launches three new specialized information websites MAP has launched three new specialized news websites covering current issues in finance, tourism and sport. The launch of these sites in French and Arabic is part of the implementation of the Agency's new strategic orientations. Thus, the mapfinance.ma site will publish in full autonomy all information and news of a financial and economic nature, illustrated with photos and graphics. This site offers several sections including: News, Stock Exchange, Economy, Companies, Banks & Insurance, Analysis & Finance and International. For its part, the mapsport.ma site will be dedicated to all sporting information. It will feature several disciplines including Football, Basketball, Handball, Volleyball, Tennis, Athletics, Combat and Golf. The Football section will focus on the national championship, Botola Pro and Botola 2, and the Throne Cup, as well as competitions in other countries notably Italy, Spain, England, France and Germany. As for the maptourisme.ma site, it will be devoted to tourism news in different formats (article, image gallery and videos). This portal will cover news related to destinations, transport, tourist events, accommodation and gastronomy. Moroccan News Agency Publishes its 2020 Photo Album The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) has published its "2020 MAP Album Photo: Images from Morocco", which highlights the events and achievements that have marked this year. This colorful album sheds light on a year of national and international news marked mainly by the management of the pandemic of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19). Through a selection of images taken by MAP photographers, the publication highlights the development that the Kingdom is experiencing under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Based on the photos carefully selected and captioned, the album highlights the exceptional commitment and the various activities of HM the King, as well as the visits made and the projects launched by the Sovereign. The 20th anniversary of the accession of HM King Mohammed VI to the Throne of His glorious ancestors, the working session chaired by the Sovereign dedicated to the management of the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic and the production of protection masks so as to safeguard the health of citizens and curb the spread of Covid-19 are among the events illustrated in this 467-page book. In the editorial of this beautiful book, Managing Director of the Moroccan News Agency (MAP), Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, commented the Covid-19 pandemic and the response provided by Morocco to mitigate the repercussions of this crisis, underlining in this regard that "each country has responded according to its means, its own genius or its national inspiration, namely its values, its culture or idea it has of its living together". 13 According to Hachimi Idrissi, from the start of the pandemic, the State "courageously took the necessary measures", while HM the King, on the front line, has given effective instructions to public authorities which led to "judicious measures, real social mobilization, a transparent statistical apparatus, a vigilant information system and an effective aid and support system".
TAP Azima initiative: TAP signs agreement with Ministry in charge of Relations with Constitutional Bodies 26/11/2020 19:06, TUNIS/Tunisia (TAP)- The Ministry in charge of Relations with Constitutional Bodies and Civil Society inked Thursday two partnership agreements with TAP news agency and the Tunisian radio and television corporations. Media support for national initiave Azima (determination) is at the core of the agreement. Azima initiative to counter the spread of the COVID-19 fits within a national programme that involves several ministries and national and international organisations to raise awareness about the need to comply with health protocols. Minister Thouraya Jribi said the two accords are designed to involve TAP and the radio and television corporations in backing up this fresh initiative. Signatory media facilities will raise awareness of citizens about the dangers of the pandemic and the need to demonstrate full compliance with the protocol released by the Health Ministry. The two agreements are geared towards establishing a fruitful partnership between signatories to give a boost to the initiative. The ministry undertakes to involve TAP and the radio and television corporations in working out a relevant communication plan and have their names featured in campaigns whatever their shape and the supports used. Under these agreements, the ministry will make contact easier for journalists from both establishments with experts. Ready-to-air coverage promotional spots will be made available without direct or indirect trade marks. TAP undertakes to secure the coverage of Azima initiative and promote it through its website and the official pages of social networks. The news agency will also publish information and data on COVID-19 and provide free access to the large public. The logo of the initiative will feature on the website while linking to the website created by the ministry to this end. The agency's training room fitted out for virtual meetings will be made available for the ministry in a bid to help it hold training sessions for media people about Azima initiative. Full coverage for the ministry's activities in relation to the initiative will be ensured. The television and radio corporations will also broadcast Azima spots on a variety of media supports. Regular meetings will be held. They will bring together signatories to assess cooperation and partnership programmes. CEO of TAP Mouna Mtibaa said the news agency - a media instiution with its 22 regional offices- will seek to translate Azima into action and will support it nationwide by means of publishing timely information about the pandemic. The aim is to contribute to awareness raising efforts. The news agency aquired solid experience in the first wave of the COVID - 19 when it comes to providing accurate and timely news as part of its partenariship with the ministry. CEO of the Tunisian television corporation and acting CEO of the Radio corporation Mohamed Lasaad Dahech said the goals of these agreements are at the heart of the action of both corporations. Public health is a major responsibility of public media. Azima initiative provides for action on the ground for civil society activists and collecting and distributing sterilisation and disinfection equipment to ward off the spread of the virus. Vulnerable groups will benefit from assistance and a boost will be given to scientific research and innovation to fight the pandemic.
OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS YONHAP 
We hope everything is well with you. The "International Press Photo Exhibition: At the Scenes of the Pandemic" opened at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary 16 History in Seoul on November 24, 2020, and will continue until March 1, 2021. A total of 120 images from 47 news agencies are on display. Every news agency who has contributed its photos is represented in the exhibition. Much to our disappointment, we were unable to show all due to space limits. We seek your understanding. You can see the photo book, published by Yonhap to coincide with the exhibition opening, on https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BVdzGTdM4uAz2aDNbkOyb0qOtlybWQ f7?usp=sharing The book shows the displayed images plus 107 more. The online version of the photo book is also available for view on the websites of Yonhap News Agency(https://en.yna.co.kr) and OANA(http://www.oananews.org) Please contact us if you have any questions. As said before, the OANA Secretariat will gladly assist any news agency interested in hosting the same or related exhibition. Best regards OANA Secretariat
TASS Dear friends and colleagues, Russian News Agency TASS launches an international photo contest for professional photographers News Photo Awards. Overcoming COVID. Please find attached to this email an official invitation from TASS Director General Mr. Sergey Mikhaylov as well as the annexes with general rules and press release. Participation is free of charge and you can easily submit your application via the official web site of the contest - http://npacontest.com/
ITAR-TASS Ne w s Agency Moscow, Russia, 125993 Tel.: +7 (499) 791- 04- 44 Fax: +7 (49 9) 79 1- 0 2- 16 info@tass. ru lass.com
Esteemed Colleagues and Dear Friends! We are delighted to welcome you and offer our compliments; in addition we hope that you are in good health! TASS Russian News Agency has launched an initiative to hold an international contest for professional photographers entitled News Photo Awards. Overcoming COVID. This event is designed to shine the spotlight on the extraordinary endeavors to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, which the World Health Organization officially declared on March 11, 2020. All of us are well aware that the pandemic has not only tragically impacted millions of people all across the globe, but it also posed a serious challenge that the news and media community had to tackle. And, of course, the pandemic has caused many trials and tribulations for photojournalists. The photo services of news agencies around the world are deeply entrenched on the frontlines of this war against the pandemic. These professionals have displayed great diligence and heroic courage when covering the valiant efforts by medical doctors, nurses and volunteers, keeping their audiences up-to-date on the current situation in their own countries and around the world day in day out while telling the stories of ordinary people. One of the contest's main goals is to pay tribute to the selfless work of photoreporters affirming that they are as essential as professionals from different fields, who have demonstrated their heroism at every single moment. We seek your assistance for our photo contest by asking you for informational support for the News Photo Awards. Overcoming COVID 18 competition. In addition, we are inviting members of your photo reporting teams, and all leading photo journalists working for your partners and clients to participate in the contest. We would be delighted to see their names on the list of contenders seeking to clinch a victory! If you are interested in publishing information about this contest and covering it on your agency's newsfeeds and other information resources, we are ready to promptly provide all the related materials you may need. You will find detailed information and a news release about the contest in the supplements to this letter.
1. Contest informationThe photo contest's official website is: http://npacontest.com/. TASS contact person - Anastsiya Rodionova-Nakayama. rodionova-nakayama a@tass.ru, office telephone number +7(499)791-04-44 (006. 7518), mobile telephone number +7(926) 296 10 64. 1. Addenda: Contest information 2. News release Sincerely yours, Director General Sergey Mikhaylov Sergey
The contest's universal rules and regulations * This competition is open for professional journalistic and documentary works devoted to all stages of battling the pandemic and how it has impacted people's lives worldwide. 19 There are two nominations under the following categories: one for "Single Photo" and the other for "Picture Series". Each contender is entitled to hand in a maximum of 3 snapshots in the singles category and 12 pictures in the photo series. Joining the contest is free of charge. All applications should be handed in through the photo contest's official website http://npacontest.com/. Works submitted in any other way will not be accepted. These snapshots will be evaluated by an international jury of respected photojournalism professionals, including seasoned members from the co-organizers of the competition. 3. General requirements for all snapshots: Photos taken anytime between December 2019 and December 1, 2020 are permitted to enter the contest. All pictures should have a clear-cut description in English and contain the information spelled out in the contest's rules. The title, description and organization name must meet the IPTC's standard. 4. All photos shall comply with the following requirements: - Photos in the JPEG format with the high quality of compression (but not more than Five (5) MB). The Organizer shall be entitled to request the original unframed file with the maximum quality of compression,- Only original photos are allowed to participate in the Photo Contest. The Participant must not scale the photo or otherwise change its resolution,- ICC profile is to be embedded in the photo. It is recommended to use AdobeRGB, sRGB or grayscale Gamma 2.2,- Only images with a single exposure and in One (1) frame may be accepted. Any multiple expositions and polyptychs (diptychs, triptychs, etc.) are not allowed.5. Dates and stages of the contest: Online applications are collected until December 1, 2020. 01.12.2020 - 15.01.2021 - The jury selects the shortlist; 15.01.2021 - 15.02.2021 - The jury picks the winners. TASS contact person: Mrs. Anastasia Rodionova-Nakayama, rodionova-nakayama_a@tass.ru +7(499)791-04-44 ext.7518, cell. +7(926)296-10-64 Selecting snapshots and voting will be conducted online. 20 The winners will be revealed by the international jury on March 11, 2021, which will coincide with the first anniversary of WHO's pandemic announcement.
6. Prize fund: Grand prize - $10,000 Main prize in the single photo category - $3,000 Main prize in the picture series category - $3,000 The full list of guidelines is presented on the contest's website http://npacontest.com/.
PRESS RELEASE Best photos dedicated to coronavirus epidemic to vie for $10,000 grand prize The submission of applications will last until December 1, 2020 MOSCOW /TASS/. The submission of applications for participating in the international contest News Photo Awards. Overcoming COVID kicked off. The contest is devoted to the coronavirus pandemic that broke out in 2020 and aims to laud the significance of the work of photojournalists who demonstrated professional heroism during the COVID-19 outbreak. Joining the contest is free of charge and any photographer working for or collaborating with the media can take part in it. The submission of applications will last until December 1, 2020. The jury will select the best snapshots and determine the winners -they will be announced on March 11, 2021 -the anniversary of the announcement of the coronavirus pandemic by the World Health Organization. There are two nominations under the following categories: one for "Single Photo" and the other for "Picture Series". The winners in each category will get a monetary award of $3,000. The jury will also select the best snapshot out of all those submitted, and that one will be awarded the "Grand Prize". The one who took this winning picture will receive $10,000. The jury authorized to evaluate the contestants' works includes the international team of honored photojournalists, industry leaders and representatives of world-renowned media: Managing Director of Audio Visual Content at Kyodo News Hitoshi 21 Oikawa, Chief of ANSA Desk Picture Stefania Iantaffi, Head of Pictures at PA Martin Keene, head of TASS Photo Information Division Grigory Dukor, Pawel Kopczynski, Photo Editor at Reuters, responsible for the company's work in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as for global sports events. The jury also includes the head of the Photography Division of the Moscow bureau of the Associated Press Alexander Zemlianichenko, special photo correspondent for France Presse in Moscow Mladen Antonov, NOOR photo agency founder Yuri Kozyrev and veteran Canadian photojournalist and photo editor Gary Hershorn. You can learn more about the terms and conditions to enter the competition and the rules of the News Photo Awards. Overcoming Covid here. Official contest website - https://npacontest.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/newsphotoawards/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/newsphotoawards/
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Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, AFP has been on the frontline in covering this unprecedented crisis and also to fight the tidal wave of harmful disinformation which is spreading almost as fast as the virus. As a world leader in digital verification, we have been relentlessly ramping up operations to help the public and impart media literacy, while coordinating efforts with other major organisations worldwide. AFP is launching a special partnership with Facebook in France, with an educational video campaign about misinformation on COVID-19. With this expansion of our fact-checking journalism to video, we will seek to better explain how misinformation occurs, how it spreads and how we debunk hoaxes and verify viral rumours online. The videos will be shared on our French Facebook page as well as on our AFP Fact Check website. 4
AFP photographer Yasuyoshi Chiba has won the top prize at the World Press Photo Awards 2020, which also gave awards to three other photojournalists from the Agency this year. Yasuyoshi Chiba 's "Straight Voice", voted best photo of the year by the World Press Photo jury, shows a man illuminated by the light of mobile phones, reciting a poem in the middle of a group of protesters demanding a civilian regime in Khartoum, in Sudan.The photo also won first place in the "General News - Singles" category.
During a meeting of the Board on 29th April 2020, AFP validated its annual accounts for 2019, thus closing the first financial year since the Agency launched its transformation plan and signed a targets & resources agreement with the French government. After the Agency achieved growth in 2018 for the first time in 4 years, AFP's commercial revenue remained virtually stable in 2019, at 167 million (down by 0.5% on the basis of equivalent exchange rates and accounting methods), despite the fact that the odd-numbered year meant fewer sporting events and, therefore, lower revenue from images. By implementing an Image Plan and following the strong trend towards digital investigations, the Agency was able to offset the effects of the lasting print-media crisis. For the first time, print media fell below the threshold of 30% of overall turnover, while that generated by the TV media exceeded 20%. The Agency received increased support from the French government, in the form of a 124.4 million subsidy (11 million more than in 2018) to cover the net cost of its general-interest remit. The year was marked by the first workforce reduction measures to be implemented under the transformation plan, notably a voluntary redundancy scheme which will lead to the suppression of 78 jobs over a full year. The positive impacts of these measures should be felt from 2020 onwards. -------------------------------------------- Responding immediately to the needs and dangers that Covid-19 has brought to our lives ANA-MPA has set up an emergency working plan since March 16th promoting the solution of teleworking. Clearly, under such conditions the motivation to adopt teleworking was driven less by demands for organizational flexibility and more by necessity for protecting the safety of the employees. The emergency plan has been reviewed on a weekly basis according to the developments in the fight against Covid-19 in Greece and the measures taken by the respective government authorities. 5 On this basis, ANA-MPA's President and General Director Mr. Eftychios Pallikaris has announced a few days ago a gradual return to work (office) plan as of May 4th. Despite the harsh times the world is going through, ANA-MPA has managed to retain its leading position in the media landscape in Greece providing news on the pandemic in accurate and timely manner. At the same time ANA-MPA's staff have been working on new ideas for the further improvement of our services and the increase of our customers' base. ANA-MPA wishes all AMAN members a safe return to normality. --------------------------------------------
The Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Association (ANSA), in collaboration with EY Advisory S.p.A (EY), has developed - for the first time in Italy's publishing industry - a unique ANSAcheck news tracking system based on blockchain technology. Through a news tracking label called ANSAcheck, readers can check the origin of news that appears on ANSA platforms or is distributed to other editorial publications or third parties such as social media networks or other platforms. ANSA is the leading Italian news agency and one of the top ranked worldwide and represents 24 publishers of major Italian newspapers. ANSA's objective is to strengthen bonds of trust between its organization and its readers and customers, using blockchain technology that shows the source of news. Thanks to the ANSAcheck news tracking label, readers can trace the history and source of each news item. In this way, readers can continue to depend on the values that have always distinguished ANSA's information. --------------------------------------------
Following the example of other public structures, Algėrie Presse Service agency has implemented the measures contained in the presidential decree of 24 March 2020 laying down additional measures to prevent and combat the spread of the Corona virus (COVID-19). In this regard, the agency decided to grant exceptional leave authorizations to staff suffering from chronic diseases, female staff with young children and staff living far from headquarters and without means of locomotion. The rest of the journalists work from home, while there are daily standby duty hours at the agency's headquarters. All dispatches, including those coming from the regions, are made through the multimedia platform "fielworx", which takes care of the dispatches, photos and audiovisual capsules. For the purposes of covering events during the hours of confinement, circulation permits issued by APS are established for journalists, photographers, audiovisual, administrative and technical service staff. These authorizations shall be renewed as necessary and in accordance with the conditions laid down by the competent authorities. 6 Protective measures (bibs, hydro-alcoholic gel) have also been made available to all staff in addition to the disinfection of APS premises and means of transport. Thanks to the containment measures adopted by the public authorities, social distancing is perfectly respected, but remains nevertheless the subject of awareness rising among all the agency's trades. The same provisions have been applied to the other departments (administration, sales), with a permanent presence on a daily basis. The technical department, which ensures the continuous maintenance of the editorial flow through the data centre, has had the same measures applied, with the obligation to ensure daily 24/7 availability, while the rest of the tasks are carried out remotely. The coverage of the coronavirus pandemic is being monitored regularly and continuously. The agency is present at all levels of news concerning the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. APS in its role of public service informs its subscribers through its reports, magazines, lighting and decoding papers. A special covid-19 dossier is available on the agency's main site (www.aps.dz ) in four languages: Arabic, Tamazight, English and French, while the WebTv site (http://webtv.aps.dz/ ) is consulted daily for information aimed at the general public. In conclusion, the Algėrie Presse Service agency, in spite of the exceptional situation that humanity as a whole is experiencing, has adapted perfectly to the containment measures and ensures a continuous and permanent service without significant disruption of its workflow. --------------------------------------------
From the early stages that coronavirus COVID-19 hit Cyprus, the Cyprus News Agency put forward its emergency plans under crises situations, activating all mechanisms. Responding to government measures, CNA implemented on 24 March 2020 the emergency working plan, giving instructions to the staff (journalists, photographers, cameramen and the secretariat staff) to stay at home and start working remotely. The first concern was to protect the employees and the second concern was to keep normal transmission and satisfy the increased needs of CNA clients/subscribers. So, everybody worked from home and fed their news stories, photos and videos to the electronic system. During those harsh times, CNA has managed to keep its leading role in the media sphere in Cyprus, with local media and other clients to depend on CNA's daily news stories and other services. Despite the uneasy conditions we were forced to work, the unexpected experience has given us some lessons, with a number of advantages that we can build on in the digital era. 7 --------------------------------------------
"The agency is itself a success story and it would be arrogant and reckless of me to undertake profound changes that put its brilliant career at risk," Caňas said in his appearance before the Constitutional Commission of Congress. The journalist, who will be the first woman to preside over Efe, has committed two principles of action to her mandate: The first, abide by the Statute of the Agency, which explains in its article 66 that "the Directorate will guarantee scrupulous respect for the veracity of each information, will reject any attempt to influence coverage or informational orientation and will facilitate the right of rectification when it is shown that a story does not answer the truth." The second, also comply with the law 3/2015 regulating the exercise of the high office of the General State Administration, whose article 3 obliges to work for the general interest with integrity, objectivity and transparency. "The international dimension of the agency will be a fundamental axis for me", without neglecting "its implementation at the national level in the least," she added. --------------------------------------------
During the coronavirus pandemic Federal News Agency FENA has launched two projects to meet the needs of its users, but also the needs of the public in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It launched a special site which only publishes news related to the pandemic and this content is available to everyone via our website www.fena.ba At the same time, in cooperation with the leading telecom operator in the country, fena.live project has been launched, which secures direct live stream on the most important events, with minimum presence of reporters and media crews. This way FENA supports the epidemiological measures in BiH and it secures media outlets and the public information from the press conferences and other events in real time. FENA has been live streaming press conferences of health and other government representatives every day over the past two months and delivering the material to all media outlets. All events are also streamed via Agency's Facebook page. Furthermore, number of video content that FENA publishes has tripled since the epidemic started and number of published articles has significantly increased as well. --------------------------------------------
E-mtiaz 2019: MAP Wins Award of Excellence for its "MAP News Display" Application The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) has won the Award of Excellence in the "Mobile Applications" category for its "Map News Display" application, at the 13th edition of the National Electronic Administration Prize "e-mtiaz 2019". 8 The award was handed to MAP Director General, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, at a ceremony chaired by Head of Government Saad Dine El Otmani. "The award we received today for MAP News Display is a recognition of a team, a project and an organization. It is a recognition of our ability to imagine, work and manage complex projects, which makes us justly proud," Hachimi Idrissi said on this occasion. "In order to succeed in delivering such a project, it obviously takes expertise, the search for excellence, while committing to improving the quality of the processes to achieve a product that is truly useful to MAP users and its customers," he added. Organized by the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Administrative Reform, this award aims to encourage successful e-administration projects and initiatives and to pay tribute to the teams that carry these projects.
A cooperation agreement was signed in Rabat between the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) and the Latin American News Agency (Prensa Latina). Inked by MAP Director General, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, and Prensa Latina President, Luis Enrique Gonzalez Acosta, this agreement is intended to develop bilateral cooperation in the area of exchange of information (texts and multimedia products) and expertise. The agreement enables the two agencies to receive and make use of each other's News Service and multimedia products in English and Spanish for editorial purpose. In a statement to MAP on this occasion, Luis Enrique Gonzalez Acosta underlined the importance of the exchange of information between the two agencies to promote the destinations of Cuba and Latin America among Moroccans, and to shed light on the cultural and historical assets of the Kingdom of Morocco in Cuba as well as in the other countries of the continent. He also expressed his wish to further develop bilateral cooperation in other areas.
It is time for the Mediterranean region to regain its place as a central pole in international relations, especially as it has all the assets to this end, said former Minister of Finance Fathallah Oualalou, also writer and Senior Fellow at Policy Center for the New South (PCNS). Oualalou, who was the guest of MAP Forum to present his book "globalization and us", highlighted the potential of the Maghreb region to reinforce this centrality, especially Morocco which is experiencing mutations at all levels, including in terms of infrastructure. He said that Morocco has implemented mega projects like the Tangier-Mediterranean port and the Nador-West port project, currently under way. 9 In addition to journalists, MAP Forum brings together representatives from ministerial departments and figures from a wide array of fields. It offers a venue for debating and interacting with decision-makers and experts.
The election of the members of the Editorial Board and the Joint Management Council of the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) took place at the Agency's headquarters in Rabat. The election of the staff representatives took place in a positive atmosphere marked by an excellent organization, transparency and the effective and serious participation of MAP staff from all the agency's services. These elections came in application of Law No. 02-15, reorganizing the Moroccan News Agency, and in compliance with the internal regulations of the Editorial Board and the Joint Management Council approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting held on December 9, 2019. This election of MAP staff representatives is the first of its kind after the approval of the MAP reorganization law, which provides that two members representing journalists and two other members representing non-staff journalists shall sit on the Agency's Board of Directors as members.
The Director General of Moroccan News Agency (MAP) Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, and the agency's central directors and directors of international and regional poles have decided to contribute to the Special Fund for Coronavirus Pandemic Management through individual participation. This initiative is part of the national mobilization and the national campaign to fight the spread of Covid-19, and in response to the creation by HM King Mohammed VI of this Solidarity fund against the coronavirus. MAP directors also undertake to shoulder all their responsibilities in this fight against the Covid-19 and to take all useful and necessary measures to ensure the continuity of the Public Service.
Journalist and non-journalist staff of the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) started to work remotely, as part of precautionary measures aimed at stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19). The agency has already the necessary system and logistical equipment to implement this type of work, which aims mainly to avoid the spread of the virus among employees and their family members. 10 This decision, which takes place following consultation with the Agency's occupational doctor, is in line with the decisions and recommendations announced by the Moroccan government and the relevant authorities to fight the pandemic. It concerns people with specific health needs, pregnant and lactating women, that is 41 people as well as people whose spouses work in hospitals. The decision also concerns people whose children are under the age of 16 (253 people). The staff at the agency's regional and international poles are concerned in a bid to reduce staff exposure. The agency's management calls on staff to implement the precautionary measures issued by public authorities and to be vigilant.
The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) has launched the website "mapanticorona.map.ma" for publishing all verified and credible information related to the Coronavirus (Covid-19), and keeping the public opinion informed of developments concerning this pandemic. This e-portal is a general platform posting in real time the latest information on the evolution of the epidemiological situation in Morocco and in the world, as well as the measures taken or to be taken against the spread of the virus. "mapanticorona.map.ma" is also intended to counter "fake news" that are sometimes posted on social networks and other communication tools and information media. The website offers accurate, complete and source information in text and image form through news stories, photographs, videos as well as infographics.
-------------------------------------------- Tanjug press release: Let's be exact, the first , reliable, but also maximum responsibleTanjug News Agency, which on daily level, approximately broadcast around 100 video contents, since the emergency situation was announced in Serbia, on March 16, it has tripled the number of live streaming, so during the last 40 days we have realized around 120 live streaming's, which is, three per day in average. There are three main reasons for such extensive approach in live streaming reporting by Tanjug News Agency in such circumstances: First, preventive protection of Tanjug's redaction and reporters, because, on that why we are informing public and citizens, with reduced risk for our reporters to be in contact with infected persons, because, at the certain event, respectively on the field, there are only cameramen, while journalists are working from redaction, from their working place and preparing reports and news. Second, higher number of live streaming's has doubled contribution in rationalization of the work of our clients, especially when we are talking about TV houses. 11 From one side, TV houses are using Tanjug's live streaming, so they may not send their reporter's vehicle and reporters in the field, which also protects them in the swing of this pandemic, while, from the other side, using Tanjug's live streaming they have economic benefit, taking into account that they may not spend resources for sending reporters, which also requires logistic spends. Third, higher number of Tanjug's live streaming, which is also broadcasting on social networks Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, as well as on the official Tanjug's web page www.tanjug.rs, contributes to correct, timely and reliable informing Serbian public, so additionally influences our citizens to have correct information of experts, and to be as less as possible exposed to fake news and manipulations, which are, usually, more present, in this emergency circumstances. On that way Tanjug News Agency fulfills its essential mission about informing public, and, at the same time, strives to be publicly responsible company, in the conditions of Covid 19 pandemic. --------------------------------------------
The coronavirus outbreak hit over 180 countries and impacted the lives of people across the globe, bringing to an unjust end almost all daily and school routines and suspending sports and cultural events. The coronavirus, this one microscopic beast that brought the entire world to heel, sparked a social media frenzy with updates about new cases, deaths, rates, recoveries, quarantine and the lockdown measures. Radio and TV stations kept pace, while the print media industry ground to a halt. The large public became familiar with what used to be the unusual scenes of senior State officials wearing surgical masks and keeping distance to avoid infection. The pandemic has not only heightened reporting challenges for media people in Tunisia as everywhere in the world but also content and quality challenges. Trust, accuracy and timely news came more to the fore. TAP news agency, the flagship media outlet, swiftly adapted to changes. Protective measures were taken to ward off transmission among staff while increased focus was brought on challenges of remote work and quality of news items. A web access of the news platform (NewsAsset) was made available to this end, allowing the majority of journalists to work from home. Social media apps like Messenger and Whatsapp helped with coordination. Remote work has not been an option, though, for many others in the agency as reporters and photographers still need to be on the spot to cover news and take 12 pictures. Local reporters are facing twin challenges as they have to provide timely and accurate news about the novel coronavirus, mostly in remote areas, while struggling to do their job as they have often limited internet access and suffer hardships and discomfort moving about. Misinformation is a major problem that comes to add up to the woes of the media sector as fake news found a fertile ground, taking hold in the form of fake cures, misleading figures, etc, and bringing to the fore the urgent need to maintain the trust in mass media and abide by journalistic ethics. The veracity of news being a major concern, they propelled journalists to seek official sources amid coronavirus news pouring in relentlessly. Statements over the phone and interviews come up as a public-interest reporting option to secure credible news. TAP recognised the COVID-19 as a global public health emergency that calls for a tailored response. As long as a truly effective vaccine is still not available, many questions go unanswered about social activities, in general, and the way media people will operate. AG/SY --------------------------------------------
The EANA Board has decided unanimously in favour of allowing HINA to not pay this year's membership fee, because of the extremely difficult situation in which the Croatian news agency finds itself in. The Mediterranean Alliance of News Agencies (AMAN) has decided to assist HINA with 10.000 US dollars, as an act of solidarity with its member-agency, which is going through difficult moments, because of the earthquake that hit Zagreb and made HINA's headquarters unusable. Also, ANP has helped HINA by sending photo-video technical equipment, and PAP has sent both 10.000 euros and 15 laptops, in a great show of solidarity between colleagues. HINA has also received a lot of support letters from EANA and AMAN members ===========================================
Anadolu Agency journalist injured in French protests Covering protests in Paris, Dursun Aydemir was injured in leg when gas canister used by police hit him Gzde Bayar | 11.01.2020
An Anadolu Agency photojournalist was wounded on Saturday in the French capital Paris during clashes between police and demonstrators, who are protesting President Emmanuel Macron's controversial pension plans. Covering the protests, Dursun Aydemir was injured in the leg when a gas canister used by the police hit him near the Lyon Train Station. Aydemir received first aid at the scene. 3 On Dec. 5, another Anadolu Agency photojournalist Mustafa Yalcin was injured in the eye when a gas canister used by the security forces hit him in the face, breaking his mask. World decries Egypt's detention of Anadolu Agency staff UN, EU, leading journalism organizations react to arbitrary detentions by Egyptian authorities in Tuesday raid Sena Guler and Ali Murat Alhas | 17.01.2020
The international community and leading journalism organizations across the globe have reacted to the detention of Anadolu Agency employees by Egyptian authorities on Tuesday following a raid on the agency's office in Cairo. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said his colleagues were in contact with the Egyptian officials "at various levels" and urging them to adhere to international human rights treaties. "We are aware of the reports that Egyptian security forces raided Anadolu [Agency] offices in Cairo and reportedly arrested four journalists, including one Turkish national. They've been detained in an unknown location," Dujarric told reporters in New York on Thursday. Hilmi Balci, a Turkish citizen, returned to Istanbul on Friday morning. The whereabouts of the other three remain unknown. As a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Egypt is obliged to protect the interests of journalists who are only doing their job, said Dujarric. "Freedom of expression plays a central role in the effective functioning of a democratic political system," said the UN spokesman. "We call for the release of anyone who is detained. We would want to see them released or at least as a minimum have information as to their whereabouts." The European Union also stressed that journalists should be able to work without being disrupted. 4 "The EU reiterates the importance it attaches to freedom of the press and diverse media environment, with professional journalists able to work unhindered, all over the world," Peter Stano, the EU Commission spokesman, told Anadolu Agency. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said the country was aware of the reports regarding the detention of Anadolu Agency employees. "If true, we call on the Egyptian government to release the detained journalists and allow for a free and open press in Egypt," said the spokesperson. The German Foreign Ministry also joined the chorus of criticism. "The German Foreign Office is concerned over the search of Turkish news agency Anadolu's Cairo office and the arrest of four employees," a Foreign Ministry spokesperson told Anadolu Agency. "We have often expressed our worries about the situation of press freedom in Egypt. We believe that a free and diverse press is extremely important for a functioning social system. It enables dialogue and exchanges, and thereby contributes to stability and development," the spokesperson said. In addition to these countries and international bodies, various journalism organizations across the world were quick to react to the incident that breached freedom of speech. On Wednesday, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called for the immediate release of the detained staff. The group said in a statement that it had contacted the Egyptian Prosecutor General's Office and State Information Service for more information about the police operation but was awaiting a response. Vienna-based International Press Institute also "strongly" condemned the "blatant attack" on Anadolu Agency staff. In a statement, the institute's Director of Advocacy, Ravi Prasad said: "Authorities in Cairo must immediately release all four journalists and explain the reason for their arrest." Media Association, an Istanbul-based press group, was among those who condemned the detention of Anadolu Agency employees. "We hereby condemn the Egyptian government and demand that Anadolu Agency employees be set free immediately," the association said in a statement. It also called on the Egyptian government to "give up its hostile and arbitrary attitude against journalists". On Thursday, the Association of the Balkan News Agencies - Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE) urged Egypt to free the detained staff in Cairo. 5 "ABNA-SE calls for the immediate release of the journalists, who are being held without any information from the Egyptian authorities," it said in a statement. The association stressed that the raid was deeply worrying. The European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) also called on Egypt to release the employees. "EANA Board considers that the Egyptian authorities should immediately release the detained journalists and inform the international public on what were the legal grounds of their initial arrest," the alliance said in a statement. "EANA stands with its member, Anadolu Agency and its journalists," it added. Likewise, the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN) said: "AMAN condemns such actions against the press and in this case against Anadolu staff members in Cairo." "AMAN stands with its member-agency and demands from the Egyptian Authorities the immediate release of Anadolu's Cairo staff members, clearing the reasons of this raid," the alliance added. Stockholm-based human rights foundation, Skyline International, condemned the raid. Moath Hamed, head of Middle East and North Africa desk, said in a statement that the detention shows the Egyptian authorities continue targeting journalistic work and freedom of the press. Journalist groups across Indonesia, including the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) and the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI), also strongly condemned the detention. Attempt to gag freedom of press The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) termed the detentions as an attempt to gag the freedom of the press. A South African media advocacy group, Media Review Network (MRN), decried the move and expressed "outrage that those detained without any valid legal basis have been taken to undisclosed locations". Azerbaijan's state news agency AzerTac condemned the raid and expressed solidarity with the "friendly and brotherly country of Turkey's news agency". The Balkans joined in condemning Egypt's raid, with many describing the incident as an attempt to gag the freedom of the press. Serbia's public news agency Tanjug, as well as B92, Danas and many more other private news outlets slammed Egypt's action. 6 The issue was also covered by Bosnia's state-run new agency Fena and one of the country's most popular newspapers, Oslobodjenje. The North Macedonian-based Albanian-language Shenja TV as well as Top Channel -- one of Albania's leading TV networks -- reported on the raid, as did Kosovo-based daily Blic and Macedonian newspaper Nova Makedonija, which is one of the oldest newspapers in North Macedonia. The regional N1 TV network and Aj Balkans also covered the story. "By arresting 4 members of Anadolu Agency, Egypt is using them as hostages and as weapons in a diplomatic dispute. This is unacceptable," said Reporters Without Borders on Twitter. The Turkish Cypriot Foreign Press Association also condemned Egypt and said the raid and arrests were attacks on basic human rights. A global journalist group, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), said in a statement: "We strongly urge the Egyptian authorities to release all jailed media workers and to respect press freedom. No journalist should fear punishment for reporting the news." The Sudanese Journalists' Union condemned the Egyptian police raid saying it violated the freedom of the press. All Anadolu Agency staffers released after detention in Egypt Earlier this week, Egyptian police raided Cairo office of Anadolu Agency, detained four employees 19.01.2020
All of Anadolu Agency staffers, who were detained by Egyptian police earlier this week, were released, said the agency head on Sunday. "All our staff members, detained in Egypt on Jan. 14 have been released," Anadolu Agency Director General Senol Kazanci said. On Tuesday evening, Egyptian police raided the Cairo office of Anadolu Agency and detained four employees. Hilmi Balci, one of four detained in Egypt, was released last Thursday and he came to Turkey. Kazanci said three Egyptian citizens of Anadolu Agency staff were released on Sunday for some $600 bail on each. Turkey and the international community had condemned the raid and called for the immediate release of the staffers. 7 Turkey's political relations with Egypt have remained rocky since 2013, when Mohamed Morsi -- Egypt's first freely elected president and a Muslim Brotherhood leader -- was ousted in a bloody military coup. *Writing by Fahri Aksut Istanbul Photo Awards announces jury for 2020 contest Jury members to meet this March to select winner of international photo contest Saadet Firdevs Apari | 22.01.2020
The Jury members to judge entries in the sixth Istanbul Photo Awards -- an international news photography contest held by Turkey's leading Anadolu Agency -- were announced on Wednesday. The jury members of the Istanbul Photo Awards 2020 are Yuri Kozyrev, a photojournalist with Dutch-based NOOR Agency; Marion Mertens, a senior digital editor at Paris Match in France; Michel Scotto, AFP's head of photo business development in France; Deborah Copaken, an American photojournalist and author; Georges De Keerle, a photojournalist and visual media consultant; Cameron Spencer, Getty Images sports chief photographer; Ahmet Sel, a senior photojournalist with Anadolu Agency; Hasan Oymez, the editor-in-chief of Anadolu Agency's Visual News Department, and Firat Yurdakul, photography editor for Anadolu Agency. Jury members will meet this March to select the winner of the international photo contest. The Istanbul Photo Awards is organized by Anadolu Agency, which has worked with a great number of photojournalists throughout its 100 years in journalism and aims to support the profession of photojournalism. The application period of the contest, to which photographers across the world applied in approximately three months, was extended until Feb. 15, according to a statement from the agency. The contest has four categories: Single News, Story News, Single Sports, and Story Sports. Professional photographers can apply for the contest via istanbulphotoawards.com, the statement said. The winner of the Single News category will be honored as Photo of the Year with a prize of $8,000, while winners in other categories will get $5,000 for first prize, $3,000 for second prize, and $1,500 for third. 8 Much like years past, this year's winning photos will be displayed throughout the year at exhibitions in Turkey and abroad, including New York, Istanbul and Tokyo. Anadolu Agency starts podcast service Podcasts available in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Castbox applications free of charge Mucahit Aydemir | 07.02.2020
Anadolu Agency, Turkey's top news provider, has launched podcast service as part of the 100th anniversary celebration of its foundation. Starting with the "Analysis" program by senior reporters and experts, it will also launch "Today in 60 seconds" and "Agency Time" programs under "Anadolu Agency Podcast" brand. The previous episodes of the analyses published daily can also be accessed through the "Anadolu Agency Podcast" channel. Podcasts are available in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud and Castbox applications free of charge in smartphones and personal computers. Podcasts provide many advantages to users in digital media, such as access at any time, easy and fast download and broadcasting, even for amateur content producers, as well as frequent updating. Anadolu Agency has 41 offices in 35 countries, representatives in 100 countries and serves to subscribers in 76 countries. Agency's network covers 90% of the world's population, with its staff from 124 different nationalities. * Writing and contribution by Davut Demircan. Turkey to train South Asian media representatives Anadolu Agency, Turks Abroad and Related Communities Presidency to organize program in Istanbul next month Muhammet Nusret Altun | 05.02.2020
A two-week-long media training program will be hosted in Istanbul next month with an aim to support experience sharing between Turkey and the South Asian countries in the field of media. 9 The South Asia Media Training Program (SAMED) will be organized in English by Presidency of Turks Abroad and Related Communities Presidency (YTB) in cooperation with Anadolu Agency. The training, scheduled to take place from March 15-28, will be given by journalists from Anadolu Agency's experienced staff. It will include courses such as social media and internet journalism, agenda and source in journalism, data journalism, crisis journalism, interview techniques, photography as well as video production and editing. The program will include a combination of theoretical and practical courses and visits to partner organizations in Turkey for a better understanding of the media landscape. During the fortnightly program, there will be an opportunity to strengthen cultural interaction with events and city tours, as well as various seminars and courses. Candidates who wish to participate in the training program from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and diaspora members of these countries can fill in the application form accessible at www.ytb.gov.tr, as well as a short video in which they explain themselves and the reasons for applying to the program. They must send their CVs to asiapacific@ytb.gov.tr before Feb. 13, 2020. * Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur -------------------------------------------------- Changes have taken place at ANA-MPA's Thessaloniki's bureau with the appointment of Stavros Tzimas, a longstanding journalist of the Agency as the new director and Nikos Yiotis as the new director of the radio station "Praktoreio 104,9 FM". Meanwhile, ANA-MPA is turning the corner in 2020 with ongoing preparations for a new webpage and a new stronger video department. ...& in other developmentsIn the wider media sector, DCN SOUTHEAST EUROPE HUB (a consortium of Aristotle University, Digital Communication Network, non-profits, public and private organisations and companies, working, or interested to be involved, in the field of digital communication, social impact campaigns, technology, and innovation) is currently developing a wide range of activities in Thessaloniki and the wider region with an aim to tap into the best talent, ideas and resources that will help journalists to adapt to the changing realities in the information space and the emerging needs and challenges of the region. --------------------------------------------------
The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) has celebrated its 60th anniversary at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat with a Gharnati music recital 10 performed by a Maghreb orchestra, in the presence of various MAP staff, former executives of the Agency and personalities from the worlds of culture, media and sport. Speaking on this occasion, MAP director general Khalil Hachimi Idrissi said that the celebration of the Agency's 60th anniversary is a reason for hope and comfort, while expressing pride in MAP's history, past, people and achievements. Hachimi Idrissi said he is convinced that the future belongs to those who have a project, a strategic vision as well as motivated human resources, noting that Morocco, which is emerging thanks to its intelligence, its people and its own genius, will be able to find a sustainable way towards progress and shared prosperity.
The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) has won the prize of the Best Arab News Agency for the year 2019 in the category "Heritage and Media" at the 4th G2T Global Awards. This prestigious award, which recognizes the Agency's commendable achievements as well as its significant contribution to the national and Arab media fields, was handed to MAP director general, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, at a ceremony attended by distinguished national and Arab personalities from various backgrounds. "This award, which honors a team and a project, recognizes and magnifies concrete and measurable achievements. That is why we believe that this distinction is legitimate," said Hachimi Idrissi. MAP is playing a significant role in the national and continental media landscape.
MAP has joined the global campaign "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence", launched by UN Women in Marrakech under the theme "Positive Masculinities: Men and Boys Reject Violence Against Women and girls". In response to the call of the UN Secretary General, MAP's headquarters was lit up in orange, the distinctive color of this global campaign. Through this symbolic action, MAP contributes to raising awareness and encouraging efforts to combat all kinds of gender-based violence.
The Atlantic Federation of African Press Agencies (FAAPA) has held in Rabat its 5th general assembly, in the presence of its president, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, and several directors general of African press agencies, in addition to the new secretary general of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA), Dong Min Lee. 11 Speaking on this occasion, Hachimi Idrissi called for further strengthening the cooperation of African news agencies, by promoting strategic partnerships in all areas of common interest, in order to counter the proliferation of fake news. He recalled that the Federation is one of the most important professional groups, which has become a leader in African news, with a professional platform that brings together some thirty news agencies from the continent. During the opening ceremony, an institutional film was screened highlighting the Federation's key events since its creation in 2014.
Morocco's News Agency (MAP) and South-Korean news agency YONHAP have signed an agreement to promote bilateral cooperation and consolidate their professional relations, on the sidelines of the 5th General Assembly of the Atlantic Federation of African Press Agencies (FAAPA) held in Rabat. The agreement, signed by MAP Director General, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, and YONHAP President and CEO, Sung-boo Cho, enables the two parties to grant each other the right to receive and make use of each other's News Service in English and French languages for editorial purpose. The agreement's objective is to allow the two parties to freely exchange news between them. The two parties agreed to exchange visits and expertise in the journalistic, technical and administration spheres. They also agreed to organize visits and trainings of journalists, technicians and administration staff from the other party.
The founder and director of "Visa For Music Festival", Brahim El Mazned, was the guest of the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) Forum held under the theme "Visa For Music, the platform for the development of the music industry in Africa and the Middle East". This meeting, which took place at MAP headquarters in Rabat, was an opportunity for El Mazned to shed light on the role played by "Visa For Music" to promote artistic mobility in Africa and the Middle-East. El Mazned also highlighted the many possibilities of encounters offered by this Festival, including stands of foreign delegations, labels, booking agencies, as well as speed-meetings that enable artists to present and promote their work directly. --------------------------------------------------
Government of the Republic of Serbia on January 2020 has adopted the new Media Strategy to 2025 which is based on state's completely withdrawal from media sector. Serbian Prime minister Mrs. Ana Brnabic has announced that it is the first step and that they will continue to be dedicating on this matter. 12 Document of the new Media Strategy provides state's completely withdrawal from media sector, and for Tanjug News Agency it means privatization and regulation/resolving its states and ownership. Namely, since 2015 Republic of Serbia is not financing the work of Tanjug News Agency, although it is still regulated that the state is owner of the Agency, but Tanjug is working practically as independent and exclusively on the market. --------------------------------------------------
(TAP)- The project of digitising film archives of Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) news agency, around 1.5 million film negatives, was officially launched on Friday at the agency's headquarters in Tunis. Photographers, journalists, technicians, marketing and sales teams attended the celebration ceremony of this large-scale project carried out with the support of the Media Support Programme in Tunisia (PAMT) managed by African Centre for Training Journalists and Communicators (CAPJC). The launch of this project, designed by European and Tunisian experts, was marked by the presence of TAP acting CEO, the director of the photo desk, the training director and all the teams involved. Director of External Relations and Training at TAP, Dr Chaouki Aloui stressed the importance of providing necessary human resources to the development of this project." He also mentioned the audiovisual studio within the agency which is now "technically operational." However, in terms of human resources, this studio requires "a team of photographers and journalists that are well trained for its effective exploitation." The digitisation started with photos dating from the 59s with more than 60 thousand photos, which will be scanned in a first step, said TAP photos desk Manager Lassaad Safer. The photos will be put to use by the editorial staff and marketed to potential customers. 13 The primary objective is to "save, digitise and enhance the photos and make them available to customers through adequate human and technical resources," he said. Trainer within the PAMT programme Renaud Girard arrived "to support TAP in the digitisation of film archives." He mentioned that a huge number of photos would be facing destruction if not immediately exploited. It is a long-term project which will take "almost ten years" to complete. The next steps should involve the establishment of a large system of human resources and equipment to finalise the programme. CAPJC director Sad Ben Kraem recalled the different forms of partnership between CAPJC and TAP as well as training provided to TAP agents, including journalists, photographers and technicians. At the end of the first phase of the PAMT programme, he announced that a second phase will start in May. TAP archives date from the 1940s and include photos that belonged to the State Secretariat for Information, during the colonial period and then with the independence under the Bourguiba regime. With the creation of the Agency, a large part of this photographic treasure, composed mainly of political news, was recovered by TAP to keep it in its archives. In addition to photos, TAP has archives in the documentation order which houses dispatches published since its creation in 1960 until the start of the digital age.
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The State of Palestine was among the first to sign the Declaration on Media Freedom in the Arab World, thus taking the first step towards safeguarding media freedoms in Palestine. President Mahmoud Abbas signed the declaration on August 1, 2016, and, accordingly, declared the first of August of every year as the Day of Freedom of Opinion and Expression in Palestine. The fundamental challenge to Palestinian journalists in the violations committed by the Israeli occupation. The Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate's Freedoms Committee's report reveals that in 2019, Israeli occupation forces committed 760 violations and crimes against Palestinian journalists. As in previous years, 2019 saw an upsurge of vicious assaults committed by the Israeli occupation against Palestinian media. These assaults manifested in the injuries sustained by Palestinian journalists from Israeli military gunfire, detentions, and the closure of media institutions. The most recent of such assaults was the closure of Palestine TV office in Jerusalem. Focusing on Jerusalem, Israeli occupation authorities perpetrated 30 violations against journalists operating in the city, blocked 250 accounts for 14 journalists and media institutions, and prevented 92 journalists and reporters from covering news. The Palestine News and Information Agency (WAFA) has achieved considerable progress in terms of the scope of news coverage, views and the way of covering events on the local, regional and international levels using print news, images and video recordings. In 2019, the progress made by WAFA was evidenced in the 14 awards it won in the fields of feature story, video and image on the national and Arab levels. Moreover, WAFA completed the purchase and finishing works of its new headquarters in Ramallah city. The first to be owned since 1972, WAFA headquarters was built in line with relevant state-of-the-art international standards in terms of modern technologies and equipment necessary to ensure the easiest and fastest news coverage in a manner that ensure effective competition. Guided by its strategic plan, WAFA seeks to enhance its national and international status through the network of correspondents operating across the Palestinian districts as well as in Arab and foreign states. WAFA will continue to improve its work on its English, French and Hebrew web pages and to focus on short films and multimedia. The news agency has expanded its social media presence on Facebook, Whatsupp and Twitter, and will continue to do so. The agency's National Information Center updates official data posted on its website to ensure the provision of accurate information. Acting in line with its plans, WAFA seeks to increase the number of its staff and to improve its performance through training staff on various forms of professional journalism and reporting in order to face various challenges. In parallel, it also seeks to broaden the margin of media freedoms and to promote the freedom of opinion and expression in Palestine, the Arab World and worldwide, keeping with its belief that safeguarding media freedoms is the cornerstone of performance development and enabling media to play their role.
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Anadolu Agency's director condemns injury of journo Ali Murat Alhas | 06.12.2019 3
The Chairman of the Board and Director General of Anadolu Agency on Friday condemned an attack on one of the organization's photojournalist who was wounded in protests between French police and demonstrators protesting controversial plans for pension reforms. In a written statement, Senol Kazanci said Mustafa Yalcin was wounded while working hard to inform people about incidents taking place in France and wished him a quick recovery, adding Anadolu Agency "closely monitored the treatment process." Kazanci said Yalcin, who has Turkish and French citizenships, was a qualified photojournalist who was awarded many prizes. "Our friend Mustafa Yalcin was wounded by the violence of French police while doing his duty. The same day, two other journalists were also reportedly wounded. We strongly condemn the French policemen for attacking press members doing their job," he said. He stressed that journalists' safety and freedom were core elements of democracy urged French security forces to respect those principles and act accordingly. He also called on the French authorities to take legal action against those responsible for the attack. Anadolu Agency would follow up with French authorities to investigate whether the incident was the result of a deliberate manner, Kazanci said, adding that the law department of the agency was preparing to defend the legal rights Yalcin. Kazanci thanked Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun and Turkey's Ambassador in Paris Ismail Hakki Musa for closely monitoring the incident. "I condemn in the strongest possible terms the French police's assault on Mustafa Yalcın, a photojournalist with Anadolu Agency, with a gas canister during the protests in Paris," Altun said in a statement. "The Directorate of Communications, together with the relevant agencies of the Republic of Turkey, will continue to monitor the situation." "This heinous assault by French police against a journalist whose job is only journalism is unacceptable," said Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister Serdar Cam. TRT Director General Ibrahim Eren said he hopes Yalcin, who left an unforgettable frame in history with his photographs of a military salute performed by players on the Turkish national team in a French match, will bring in many other precious work in the future. 4 Yalcin was injured in the eye when a gas canister fired by the security forces struck him in the face, breaking his mask. He was rushed to a nearby hospital.
Anadolu Agency elected Asia-Pacific news agencies vice chair Burak Bir | 08.11.2019
Anadolu Agency, Turkey's top news source, on Friday was elected to assume vice presidency of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA), at the 17th annual meeting. The annual meeting, hosted by the South Korean News Agency (Yonhap) and OANA General Assembly in South Korea's capital Seoul, ended. OANA's 44 member news agencies from 35 countries took part in the group's general assembly, along with observers from the World Congress of News Agencies (NAWC), Union of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN), and Atlantic Federation of African Press Agencies (FAAPA). At the meeting, Anadolu Agency was represented by Muhammet Salih Demirkan, deputy chairman of the board, and Deputy Director General Mustafa Ozkaya. Yonhap took over the OANA presidency from the Azerbaijan State News Agency (AzerTAc) to serve for the next three years. Along with the Anadolu Agency, AzerTAc, Chinese News Agency XINHUA and Russia's TASS news agency were also elected to vice-presidency of the organization for 2019-2022. Iran's IRNA news agency was elected in the meeting to assume OANA presidency for 2022-2025. At the end of the two-day meeting, the managers of the news agencies declared their intention to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula and the participants signed Seoul Declaration. The joint declaration stressed the responsibilities of press members as "strengthening cooperation among news agencies of Asia-Pacific region and aiming to find solutions to common challenges faced by members," referring to the goals of the organization. OANA was founded in 1961 on the initiative of UNESCO to provide direct and free exchange of news between news agencies in an area of more than half the world's population. Anadolu Agency joined OANA in 1978. 5 Istanbul Photo Awards 2020 open for submissions Anadolu Agency's international news photo contest to accept submissions through Jan. 31, 2020 Nilay Kar Onum | 08.11.2019
Submissions have opened for Anadolu Agency's 2020 Istanbul Photo Awards, the news agency announced. The international photo contest will accept applications until Jan. 31, 2020, according to a statement from the agency. This year marks the sixth anniversary of the contest, which is open to professional photographers. The Istanbul Photo Awards is organized by Anadolu Agency, which has worked with a great number of photojournalists throughout its 100 years in journalism and aims to support the profession of photojournalism. Photographers across the world are expected to submit images capturing global events over the past year. Mainly focusing on news and sports photos, the contest has four categories: Single News, Story News, Single Sports, and Story Sports. Next March, an international jury will meet to select the winners who will receive awards yet to be announced. Previous contestants of the competition think it was "successful" in terms of contributing to global visual news. Socrates Baltagiannis, a freelance photojournalist and documentary photographer based in Athens, Greece described the contest as one of the "most notable annual competitions," in a written interview with Anadolu Agency.
Socrates Baltagiannis "I do believe that it is a successful contest and that through the years of its existence has succeeded to become one of the most notable annual competitions regarding photojournalism worldwide," said Baltagiannis, who 6 was one of the finalists in the Single News category in the 2016 Istanbul Photo Awards. 'High quality photos' The quality of the photos is always of a high level, both in terms of pictures and the subjects they depict, said Baltagiannis. He underlined that the contest contributed to global visual news in many ways, including giving the chance for people to "see, think and evaluate major events", as well as offer the means -- via its prizes -- for photojournalists to continue their work, on account of the difficulties faced by the profession in recent years. The Istanbul Photo Awards, as with all photojournalism contests, plays "a big role" in continuing to promote quality photojournalism, Istanbul-based Australian photographer Chris McGrath told Anadolu Agency in a written interview. McGrath won this year for his series "A Journalist's Murder" taken in the wake of the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Underlining the importance of the competition in terms of "creating a visual archive of historic events," he said: "For many photographers, it is an outlet for presenting the work they've done over the year, work that will enter the archives of photo contests globally and continue to keep those stories in the public eye. And that's a very important part of photojournalism - creating a visual archive of historic events. "Over the years, from what I have seen, the Istanbul Photo Awards has endeavored to make itself into a truly international photo award. The jury has supported international stories and issues by selecting the most truthful, relevant and unbiased photographs or stories of the year," he said. McGrath said he planned on entering the competition again this year. "As a staff photographer for Getty Images, at the end of every year, I enjoy the process of looking through the stories I have done and editing the best sets of photographs. "I think the process can also help young photographers take a little step back at the end of the year and look at what they have done in the year and learn from that," he said. Hosam Salem, an Istanbul-based Gazan freelance photojournalist, also hailed the "successful" and "distinguished" contest. Salem received the Young Photojournalist award in 2017 with his photograph "Street Training in Gaza". Asserting that the contest showcased the most powerful and distinguished photos and events throughout the world, he said: "After I won, I decided to participate the following year and the next." 7 "I will participate this year [...] with photos from outside of Gaza this time," he added. The winner of Photo of the Year in Single News category will be awarded $8,000, while winners in other categories will be given $5,000 for first prize, $3,000 for second prize, and $1,500 for third. All previous winning photos are available on www.istanbulphotoawards.com and professional photographers can apply for 2020 contest on the same website.
Istanbul Photo Awards exhibition opens in Tokyo Ahmet Esad Sani, Fatih Turkyilmaz | 19.11.2019
TOKYO Anadolu Agency on Tuesday launched an exhibition in the Japanese capital Tokyo which features the works of award-winning photojournalists who competed in the international Istanbul Photo Awards 2019. The Yunus Emre Institute's building in Tokyo is hosting the Istanbul Photo Awards exhibition, this year's first overseas exhibition, sponsored by the Turkish Airlines and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).
In 2019, Ozkaya said, photographers from more than 100 countries -- including Syria, Mexico, France and Indonesia -- and including war, conflict 8 and disaster-hit regions, applied to contest with approximately 15,000 photographs. Stating that he is pleased to open an exhibition in Tokyo, Ozkaya said that the last exhibition of 2019 will be held in New York in December.
"There is a photograph that reflects the world, there is a photograph that depicts a relationship. Surely there are many languages of the photographs," said Hasan Murat Mercan, Turkish Ambassador to Japan. Mentioning the deep-rooted ties between Turkey and Japan, Mercan said that economic and cultural exchange between the two countries is growing. Among the attendees of the opening ceremony were Muhammet Salih Demirkan, Anadolu Agency's deputy chairman of the board; Ural Yesil, director of Human Resources and Administrative Affairs; Huseyin Tuna, director of Yunus Emre Institute Tokyo; and Hiroki Sugita, a representative of Kyodo news agency, Jiji Press Photo President Taisei Ogawa and Jiji Press Photo International Relations head Hirofumi Motoyama. Tokyo will host the exhibition until the end of the year. Visitors will be able to view the winning images of the annual international photography contest, organized by Anadolu Agency. Entries in the contest depict political incidents, migration crisis, natural disasters and striking life stories worldwide. AFP photojournalist Ahmad Gharabli's striking photo of a Palestinian woman and Israeli security officer taking photos of each other was chosen Photo of the Year 2019 in the Istanbul Photo Awards.
Anadolu Agency trains journalists to survive in crises
ISTANBUL Anadolu Agency's war journalism training aims to ensure that journalists can survive when they are required to dive into a crisis or a war territory, the agency's deputy director general said Thursday. "The program has gained a local and international dimension. Comprehensive and highly qualified trainings are offered [to the participants],'' Metin Mutanoglu, who is also the editor-in-chief, said in an interview ahead of the 15th edition of the training program that will start on Monday. Launched in 2012, this year's training will be held between July 22 and August 2 in the capital Ankara. The training -- organized by the News Academy of Anadolu Agency -- hosts personnel from the Turkish Police Academy, the Disaster Management Agency (AFAD), the Turkish Armed Forces, and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA). The 12-day program will host correspondents from 12 different countries with courses of journalism under pressure, personal security, the laws of war, first aid, advanced driving techniques, water survival techniques, chemical and biological attacks and media management in hostile environments. Arabic as training language 1st time Mutanoglu stressed that the Arab Spring, referring to the wave of popular uprisings that convulsed the Arab world in 2011, led to crises in the region where Turkey is also located. He said: "There were conflicts, serious crises and chaos especially in Syria, Palestine, Iraq and many countries around, as well as Crimea. "It is important for us that not only our own journalists but also journalists working in these regions can survive the dangers. Therefore, we offer this training opportunity to them." Mutanoglu said the program will also include Arab correspondents. "They also work in these regions and they will be provided with the program. The training language will be Arabic for the first time." 'War journalism program is a crisis management' "We actually call the war journalism training program a crisis management training," Mutanoglu said. "Because there are wars in some regions and big crises in some places, as well as protests and street demonstrations. "We pay the most attention to the survival of the correspondents, who enter these areas unarmed, only with their cameras, and that nothing happens to them." Anadolu Agency provides the most inclusive and intensive on-site training, Mutanoglu said, adding: "We want the war journalism training program to be widespread all over the world. Turkey is an important region as there are many serious crises around." Maintaining security, performing duty Cihangir Isbilir, the head of Anadolu Agency's News Academy, said the training is provided both in theory and practice. 10 "We create scenarios for all the possible events that a journalist may experience in the region and train them," Isbilir said. "We try to ensure that journalists perform their duties with the highest efficiency by taking these trainings under the conditions almost the same with the actual ones." Isbilir said most of the conflicts take place in the Middle East, and added: "Journalists here need to be well educated in order for news from these regions to flow correctly and for correspondence of photos and images correctly."
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The work of AFP photographers will also be presented during screenings at Campo Santo : the French Yellow Vests seen by Syrian photographers (see the post on the Correspondent blog), the fall of Baghouz covered by Bulent Kilic and Delil Souleimanand The Afghanistan by Farshad Usyan (winner of the first Shah Marai award). For the 2nd consecutive year, Visa pour l'Image will also be exhibiting in Paris.  Sylvain
Estibal, has been appointed as regional director for the Middle East and North
Africa
Mexico City bureau chief Sylvain Estibal has been appointed as regional director
for the Middle East and North Africa and he took over the position on September
12th. He replaced Christian Chaise whom was the regional director for almost 7 years. Sylvain Estibal holds a degree in economics, a masters in sociology and post-graduate degree in international relations (specializing in the Arab world) from the Sorbonne in Paris. He began his career as an independent photographer during the war in Bosnia, before joining AFP's photo service in 1994. He became the head of the photos features desk in 2000, and then photo editor-in-chief for Latin American in 2007. In 2012 he was appointed photo editor-in-chief for Europe and Africa. Sylvain Estibal was the first bureau chief to be appointed from the photo service and became the first regional director from our image services. He began his career as a photo editor in Paris then held several management positions including regional photo director for Latin America and head of photo for Europe-Africa. 11 He has been Mexico City bureau chief since 2015, coordinating coverage of the deadly earthquake in 2017 that hit our office, and also strengthening security measures for our journalists in a very dangerous climate for the media. As MENA regional director he will be responsible for developing a more image-driven editorial culture in line with the Agency's editorial strategy. AFP represented on all fronts at the Bayeux Calvados-Normandy awards for war correspondents 2019The 26th edition of the Bayeux Calvados-Normandy awards for war correspondents is being held from 7 to 13 october 2019. The work of AFP journalists in Venezuela, Afghanistan and Gaza will be presented. AFP's multimedia exhibition, Venezuela: Collapse without end, is a video and photo account of the Venezuelan crisis since Chavez successor Nicolas Maduro came to power. In parallel with this exhibition, the evening of Friday 11 October will be devoted to International Correspondents' coverage of "Venezuela between Civil War and Cold War". Sponsored by SCAM (French Civil Society of Multimedia Authors), this event will include presentations by a video journalist from AFP's Caracas bureau,Yorman Maldonado, and Mehdi Lebouachera, editor-in-chief of AFPTV. AFP wins fourth Rory Peck video award Luis Sequeira, an AFP video stringers from Nicaragua, wins the prestigious Rory Peck Award which each year recognises the best work by freelance photo and video journalists. AFP's stringer was rewarded for his exceptional video coverage of the 2018-2019 Nicaraguan protests, featuring striking images of demonstrators' arrests and clashes with security forces. The protests, which erupted on April 18, 2018 in response to President Daniel Ortega's social security reforms, killed 325 people between opposition supporters and security forces and saw 60,000 inhabitants exiled. This award represents another success for AFPTV coverage in Latin America, where AFP has developed a network of highly talented video journalists to showcase our coverage and bring the continent's news to the rest of the world, said Phil Chetwynd, AFP Global News Director. This is the fourth Rory Peck Award won by an AFP stringer. -----------------------------------------
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Dear all, I am writing to inform you that Journalist Eftychios Pallikaris is to be the new President and General Director of the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA), according to an announcement on Tuesday evening, based on a decision of Greek Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and government spokesperson Stelios Petsas. Short Bio Eytyhios Pallikaris was born in Athens on September 2, 1954 and started working as a journalist in 1980, after graduating from the Physics Department of the University of Patras. He became a member of the Athens journalists' union ESHEA in 1985. He speaks English and German. He has worked in the print and electronic media and was foreign news chief editor at 'Mega' television and the 'Star' and 'Net' television channel news programmes. He has also been Editor-in-Chief and desk editor at the newspaper "Imerisia" and headed the press office of the Athens municipality radio station 'Athina 9.84'. From 1995 and for six years he taught at a school of journalism.
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Italy's leading news agency, ANSA, signs an agreement to buy AFP's international news service in video, photo and text. In a multi-year deal starting January 1, 2020, Italy's leading news agency ANSA has agreed to buy AFP's global video, photo and text news services for distribution in daily newspapers and digital media markets.
"It is a sign that AFP now provides a world class video service, which includes 24-hour-a-day live feeds across the planet, and original, innovative content. One of AFP's great strengths is our unrivalled text coverage across Europe and the Mediterranean."
AFP and ANSA are already working together on European projects, including a data journalism website European Data News Hub (EDNH), which was launched in 2017. The EDNH website has become one of the most popular sites for European news headlines. It was created by a consortium of major European news agencies and gives both internet users and world media a trusted news source for the key issues facing the European Union. ANSA and AFP are also looking at developing joint corporate projects. About AFP: AFP is a global news agency delivering fast, accurate, in-depth coverage of the events shaping our world. AFP delivers the news in video, text, photos, multimedia and graphics to a wide range of customers including newspapers and magazines, radio and TV channels, web sites and portals, mobile operators, corporate clients as well as public institutions. For several years now, AFP has focused its editorial strategy on the development of visual journalism and especially, video production. AFP now has a high-quality video product providing 24/7 live broadcasting worldwide, offering original and innovative content, with a proportion of own-sourced content that is unparalleled among video news agencies. About ANSA: ANSA is the leading Italian news agency and one of the world's oldest wire services. The cooperative is made up of 26 publishers of the main Italian daily newspapers and has been collecting, publishing and distributing news stories, photos and in-depth analyses since 1945. Its 22 bureaus in Italy and 73 bureaus on five continents worldwide allow ANSA to be where the news is. Thanks to its collaboration with a network of 87 international agencies and partners, ANSA is able to cover current news events both at home and abroad and distribute its content worldwide. ----------------------------------------- Mr. Fakhredine Beldi, was appointed Director General of the Algėrie Presse Service (APS), succeeding Mr. Abdelhamid Kacha. Before his appointment, Mr. Beldi held the post of the Director of Information at APS. -----------------------------------------
TIRANA, Jan 24 /ATA/ - The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) and the Polish Press Agency (PAP) signed on Thursday a cooperation agreement on exchange of information between the two countries. The agreement was signed in Warsaw by the ATA Director General Armela Krasniqi and the PAP Director General Wojciech Surmacz. Both directors considered extremely important signing of this co-operation agreement, for the first time between the two agencies designed to exchange daily news. The agreement provides for the news exchange between the two agencies, as well as videos and photos, which will offer opportunity to citizens of both countries to become more familiar with developments in several sectors such as, economy, tourism, culture, etc./
TIRANA, April 4 /ATA/ - The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) and the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) signed Thursday a cooperation agreement on exchange of information between the two countries. For the first time, a cooperation agreement on exchange of information was signed by the Director General of the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), Armela Krasniqi and General Manager of Slovenian Press Agency (STA), Bojan Veselinovic. The signing of the co-operation agreement between the two agencies, as well as with a new EU member state as Slovenia, was considered very important, especially at a time when public opinion is being threatened by the fake news phenomenon. ATA and STA are signatories to the "Tirana Declaration" to eradicate fake news.
TIRANA, Nov 24 /ATA/ - Providing better information, establishing regular exchange of news content, photo and video materials on the developments in Albania and Romania is on the focus of the cooperation agreement signed on Saturday between the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) and the Romanian National News Agency (AGERPRESS). The cooperation agreement was signed by ATA Director General Armela Krasniqi and the AGERPRESS Director Claudia Victoria Nicolae on the sidelines of the Association of the Balkan News Agencies - Southeast Europe (ABNA-SEE) General Assembly that took place a day ago in Tirana. The AGERPRESS delegation was represented by Alexandra Stefan, AGERPRESS public relations office, and Tofan Imola, the editor of the international news desk. 15
TIRANA, December 9 /ATA/-General Director of ATA Armela Krasniqi signed a memorandum of understanding with President of the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) Abdullah bin Fahd Al-Hussein for cooperation and exchange of news between the two agencies. The memorandum was signed during a meeting held at SPA headquarters in Riyadh between Al-Hussein and the Director General of the ATA. Attending the event was SPA Vice President Ahmed bin Ibrahim Al-Awadh.
TIRANA, November 23/ATA/- The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) organized on November 23, 2019 in Tirana, the conference entitled "Media & Tourism, Ideas & Solutions" in the light of the General Assembly of the Association of Balkan Agencies - Southeast Europe (ABNA-SEE) focusing on the role of the media in promoting tourism. The conference aimed at providing new channels of cooperation on promoting tourism in the Balkan region. In attendance at the conference were, the Albania Minister of State for the Protection of Entrepreneurship, Eduard Shalsi, Deputy Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Vasilika Hysi, Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Director General Armela Krasniqi, as well as heads of different news agencies in the Balkans. The Association of Balkan News Agencies - Southeast Europe (ABNA-SEE), where the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) is a full member was established in 1995. Regular Members of the Association are the following news agencies: AGERPRES (Bucharest), ANA-MPA (Athens), ANADOLU (Ankara), ATA (Tirana), BTA (Sofia), CNA (Nicosia), FENA (Sarajevo), HINA (Zagreb), MIA (Skopje), SRNA (Banja Luka),TANJUG (Belgrade), KosovaPress (Pristina) while the countries holding the observer status are Moldova, Slovenia, Armenia and Montenegro. -----------------------------------------
The visibility of efe.com, quantified by the presence of Google based searches has multiplied fourfold in the last three months, a growth that is due to the change of page design, cleaner and faster in loading, and the enrichment of texts thinking about the positioning of search engines. All these led to the surpassing, for the first time in the history of the web, of five million pages viewed in a month (June). -----------------------------------------
Biography of National News Agency (NNA) Director Ziad Harfouche: ➢ Born on 23/8/1972 in Bkassine - Jezzine District. ➢ Holder of a degree in Journalism and News Agencies from the Faculty of Information and Documentation at the Lebanese University in Fanar in 1995. ➢ Holder of a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the Centre de Formation et de Perfectionnement des Journalistes et l'institut Francais de Presse- France. ➢ Baccalaureate II - Philosophy- Collge des Frres Mont La Salle - Ain Saadeh- 1990. ➢ Assumed the post of Editorial Secretary and Specialist Journalist at the National News Agency of the Ministry of Information since the year 1995. ➢ Assumed the post of Editorial Secretary at Al Nahar's local political news section since 1999. Published investigative features and press articles in the same Newspaper since 1995. ➢ Assumed the post of Editorial Secretary at "Al Rai al Aam" Kuwaiti Newspaper - Beirut office in 1997-1998 and in "Al-Hiwar" weekly magazine in 2000. ➢ Supervised editing and translation in monthly and weekly social magazines and journals, and reviewed political publications, journalistic studies, and literary and religious books. ➢ Winner of the first prize in the Competition entitled "Our Dictation is our Language" organized by the Antonine University and presented by Media figure Bassam Barrak in 2015. ➢ Hosted and Presented "Zallat Qalam" Program on "Radio Lebanon" in 2017. -----------------------------------------
During this meeting, MAP's Director General highlighted the projects launched by the Agency over the past few years, in order to strengthen its presence at the national and international levels and to support the development projects initiated under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The French diplomat's visit is part of the strengthening of press and communication cooperation between the French Embassy in Morocco and the Moroccan News Agency.
Journalist and writer Talha Jibril was a guest of MAP Forum held on the theme "Life and works of a correspondent in Morocco". Speaking on this occasion, he said his career in Morocco allowed him to accumulate a considerable and enriching experience and to broaden his network of sources at various levels. The meeting is part of a series of meetings held to commemorate the 60th anniversary of MAP. 17
Director General of the Moroccan news agency (MAP), Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, held in Rabat a working session with vice minister of the State Council Information Office of China (SCIO), Guo Weimin. Talks focused on the means to develop partnerships between Moroccan and African news agencies and Chinese news agencies. The Chinese official commended cooperation between MAP and the Chinese News Agency (Xinhua), which, he said, is a model to follow in this regard. The Chinese official also underscored the importance of establishing partnerships between think tanks of the two countries, while insisting on the need to enhance mutual knowledge of the Moroccan and Chinese cultures among the two peoples. In this regard, Hachimi Idrissi noted that MAP is willing to play this role in both directions, stressing that the agency's correspondent in China is instructed to shed light on the Moroccan and the Chinese cultures. Regarding cooperation, he said that a new cooperation model should be set up, in accordance with the aspirations of Africans for a more balanced and respectful cooperation that takes into consideration African values and the specificities of the continent.
Director general of the Moroccan News Agency (MAP), Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, presented, in Lisbon, MAP's experience in developing a new business model to meet growing competition and technological change, by diversifying its products and prospecting new customers. Speaking at the 26th session of the General Assembly of ENEX (European News Exchange), Hachimi pointed out that the advent of the Internet in the late 1990s and the emergence of social networks ten years later, by offering free information to users, including potential clients of news agencies, have had a deep impact on the information ecosystem. The print media, once the main client of news agencies, has experienced a rapid decline due to lower advertising revenues. He called on news agencies to diversify their products by creating other value-added products, such as photography, video, audio and computer graphics. By launching its news channel MAPTV, MAP has become a 360-degree news agency, he stressed.
Russia and Africa can develop an inspiring new model of media cooperation based on mutual respect, efficient cooperation and shared cultural curiosity, said in Sochi Director General of Moroccan News Agency (MAP) Khalil Hachimi Idrissi. Speaking at a conference held within the framework of the Russia-Africa Economic Forum, under the theme "Russian-African relations: the role of media", Hachimi Idrissi stressed that this new model of media cooperation is also based on principles of useful support and unifying professionalism 18 that can advance societies, drive growth, uphold freedoms, and face environment and ecological challenges of the planet. For his part, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, noted that Russia is developing its cooperation on all aspects with Africa, as evidenced by the regular contacts of Russian diplomacy with all the African countries, marked by the search for mutual interests and a long-term partnership. Russian media are cooperating with their African counterparts in terms of broadcasting content and recruiting journalists, he pointed out, adding that his country will help to establish contact with African media companies and to support the conclusion of agreements between them and their Russian counterparts.
The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) has published "Anniversary of the enthronement of HM King Mohammed VI: 20 years of reign", a book recounting in images the two decades of the Sovereign's reign marked by significant events and achievements at all levels and in all sectors. It is a colourful album divided into 13 sections of selected images highlighting the work of HM the King in the achievement of many structural projects. These sections, each introduced by texts, show a set of photographs testifying to the all-round development of the Kingdom under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI.
"Women's Leadership: Needs and Strategies of African News Agencies" is the theme chosen for a training seminar, organized by the Atlantic Federation of African Press Agencies (FAAPA), at the headquarters of the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) in Rabat. Speaking on this occasion, FAAPA chairman Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, MAP director general, said that the training seminar is part of the implementation of FAAPA's strategy to invest in human capital, noting the event is exclusively dedicated to high-potential female staff, journalists and executives of African news agencies, in order to develop their soft skills and consolidate their knowledge in leadership.
The Executive Board of the Atlantic Federation of African Press Agencies (FAAPA) held its 7th meeting on September 26th in Praia, Cape Verde, under the chairmanship of Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, chairman of FAAPA and director general of the Moroccan News Agency (MAP). On this occasion, the members of the Executive Board examined and approved the final report of FAAPA's 4th general assembly, which will be submitted for final adoption to the upcoming general assembly. The Executive Board also examined FAAPA's 2019-2020 action plan, which includes training and qualification of staff and the organization of a seminar 19 in Rabat from 14 to 18 October on the theme "Women Leadership: Needs and Strategies of African News Agencies". The federation's action plan also provides for the consolidation of FAAPA's website. In this regard, the Board called on member agencies to contribute more to the enrichment of the website, which is currently publishing an average of 100 news stories per day. In addition, the members of the Board discussed the participation of African news agencies in the forum that was organized by TASS news agency on the side-lines of the Russia-Africa summit, scheduled to take place on October 22-25, 2019 in Sochi.
The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) has adopted a new digital roadmap that will integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the production processes of some of its content. This digital roadmap was presented at a two-day seminar in Marrakech (October 2-3, 2019) attended by members of MAP Board of Directors, and organized in partnership with David Sallinen, a global expert in the transformation of media and social networks. This seminar shed light on the main challenges of AI in the media field and the opportunities that this technology offers to increase the power of content production, in various formats, as well as the time needed by journalists to improve the quality of this content. The projects that have been approved by the members of the Executive Board are intended to involve AI in the production of content and thus bring them into line with the latest practices in the international media, much of whose content is based on software ordered by the AI. The use of AI responds to the need to allocate available human resources to more complex tasks that only the human brain is able to perform.
As part of consolidating its strategic vision to become a leading international news agency, MAP is pursuing its development policy. In May and July, the agency launched calls for applications for geographical mobility to strengthen its international poles, particularly in Africa. New correspondents have been appointed in Amsterdam, Brussels, Brasilia, Las Palmas, Paris, Amman, New Delhi, Johannesburg, Djibouti, Kinshasa and Shanghai. The Moroccan News Agency has also decided to strengthen its presence in Tanzania, Cameroon, Madagascar, Mozambique and Ouagadougou. 20
In the framework of the implementation of its MAP21 strategic project and in accordance with its development strategy, the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) is working to diversify its human capital by organizing recruitment examinations for graduates of Moroccan schools and public institutions. These recruitments are aimed at enriching the various departments of the Agency in order to ensure the success of MAP projects and meet the challenges of the digital era. The Agency's recruitment record amounts to 41 competitions launched since January 2019. At the end of these competitions, 33 candidates were selected and recruited. The Agency's HR strategy aims to strengthen the role of its human capital as a lever for excellence and back the emergence of new audio-visual professions, while strengthening the activities of the traditional professions.
MAP's organization chart has recently included a "Media Department". This new structure is led by a Media Director whose mission is to oversee the production of high-definition video and audio content covering national news and exclusive feature stories on timeless societal topics and to broadcast them. The Media Director is in charge of MAP's programme grid (TV/Radio) according to the guidelines of the Directorate-General as well as to ensure the availability of video and audio productions 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The Media Director has also to propose innovative ideas and concepts, define annual objectives and evaluate the team's performance. The Media Department is made up of three divisions: the MAP TV Division, the MAP Audio Division and the Archive and Animation Division.
Nine children of the staff of Morocco's News Agency (MAP) paid on 3-13 August a visit to London as part of a language stay, after winning the Prize of Academic Excellence, established by MAP Foundation. During their stay, the students benefited from 10 hours of intensive English courses and took part in several cultural and sport activities. The stay was also an occasion for prize-winners to discover the monuments and historical sites of the British capital. 21
The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) has published "2019 MAP Album, Pictures of Morocco", a beautiful book that relates through images a year of milestones and achievements in all sectors. This colourful album sheds light on a year marked by the developments on several international and national issues through a selection of images taken by MAP's photographers. These pictures reflect the landmark development witnessed by the Kingdom under the enlightened leadership of HM King Mohammed VI. Through pictures carefully selected, the book retraces the exceptional commitment and the various activities of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. It also immortalizes the numerous visits paid and the projects launched by the Sovereign, throughout the year, both in Morocco and abroad.
The annual seminar of the international poles of the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) took part on July 18, 2019, in Salė, under the chairmanship of the agency's director general, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi. This seminar was held with a view to putting into perspective MAP's new organization as a completely decentralized institution, through its thirteen international and twelve regional poles. Speaking at the opening session, Hachimi Idrissi said that this decentralization was made possible thanks to the digital tools used by the agency's journalists, which allow them to publish their news stories from any place in the world.
The new headquarters of the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) in Casablanca was inaugurated on July 18, 2019, at the Marina, in the presence of several personalities from the cultural, media, artistic and economic worlds. Located on a surface area of 600m, this facility includes three entities, namely the Casablanca-Settat regional pole, the "Economy and Finance" editorial office and MAP Digitale, in view of Casablanca's strategic importance and the intensity of its economic, cultural and social activities. The opening ceremony of this new headquarters was marked by the presence of the Wali of the Casablanca-Settat region, governor of the Casablanca prefecture, Said Ahmidouch, and the governor of the Casablanca-Anfa district prefecture, Rachid Afirat. Speaking on this occasion, MAP director general Khalil Hachimi Idrissi said that journalists working in these new headquarters will be able to publish their own news stories, which makes of MAP a near-autonomous agency that fulfils all its responsibilities in the public service. 22
Several children of MAP staff benefited on 1-11 July of a summer camp in the city of Marrakech, held on the theme "Summer Camps, a space for communication and friendship". This summer camp was run by 12 professionals in educational activity, under the supervision of a highly-qualified staff of MAP Foundation. A total of 48 children aged between 7 and 14 -36 boys and 12 girls- benefited from this summer camp, where they took part in several activities.
The report unveiled at Morocco's News Agency (MAP) Forum is divided into six chapters, notably significant facts, the Casablanca trial, guarantees of a fair trial, the actions and efforts of the authorities and constitutional institutions, communication meetings and initiatives of civilian actors, as well as conclusions on the context, demonstrations, memory and space and finally recommendations. Emphasis is placed on the genesis and evolution of events, the demands of activists, the emergence of tensions during rallies with the consequent breach of public order, and the way in which the political class has followed the events whether in Parliament or at the level of the Court of auditors, as well as the role of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH).
The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) and Cyprus News Agency (CNA) signed on June 19, 2019, in Nicosia, an agreement to strengthen cooperation and professional relations between the two parties. Initialled by MAP director general Khalil Hachimi Idrissi and CNA director George Penintaex, the agreement provides for the exchange of news in Arabic and English, photos and videos produced by the two agencies. Under the terms of the agreement, the two agencies give preference, with regard to events taking place in Morocco or Cyprus respectively, to news provided by either party. MAP and Cyprus News Agency agree to provide the necessary assistance and support, as far as possible, to their envoys and correspondents to Morocco and Cyprus to carry out their missions. In addition, the two parties agree to exchange visits and experts in journalistic, technical and executive fields. The Cyprus News Agency was officially established on 16 February 1976 on the initiative of director general of the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC), Andreas Christofides. 23 Continuous Training: A series of Sessions in JuneDuring the month of June, Moroccan news agency MAP organized a series of training sessions covering the different technical and managerial aspects and benefiting several categories of its staff. This training program is part of the initiation of young recruits to the running, orientations, structuring and capacity-building of future leaders of the Agency. Organized within the framework of cooperation with public and private organizations, these training sessions testify to the commitment of MAP to a policy of human capital development in accordance with its values namely mobilization, innovation, ethics and professionalism, openness and service for the public.
Moroccan News Agency (MAP) and the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco signed, on June 11 in Rabat, an agreement aiming at ensuring media support for all the projects and achievements of the Academy. Initialled by MAP Director General Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, and permanent secretary of the Academy Abdeljalil Lahjomri, this agreement aims at offering the Academy several services provided by MAP in order to ensure media support and highlight its projects, achievements and activities. Under this agreement, MAP undertakes to provide the Academy, called "subscriber", with a subscription to coverage service "MAP SERVICE", mainly the setting up of a mobile stand for the subscriber, at the headquarters of the Academy which will be used for interviews.
Director General of Moroccan News Agency (MAP) Khalil Hachimi Idrissi took part in the 6th World Congress of News Agencies in Sofia on June 13. Khalil Hachimi Idrissi pointed out, in a statement on the side-lines of the event, that MAP wishes through its participation in the World Congress of News Agencies, to play a leadership role, shown by the very privileged relations that MAP has with the Executive Board of this Congress, and mirrored in the exploration and review of means and ways for international cooperation between MAP and the News Agencies participating in the Congress. "We are keen to host the seventh World Congress of News Agencies in Morocco in 2022 and we are confident that the Executive Bureau's response will be positive," said Hachimi.
Moroccan News Agency (MAP) launched late May the website "babmagazine.ma", which is the digital version of its paper magazine "BAB" launched last July. With ergonomics and easy to access content (articles and photos), "babmagazine.ma" offers no less than 250 articles, in the form of special reports, analyses, coverage, interviews and news, which means all the 24 production already published in the first twelve paper issues of BAB magazine. The website provides free access to all magazine journalistic production, in addition to previous BAB publications in PDF format. ----------------------------------------- 27 news agencies took part in the EANA General Assembly which elected the two new EANA Board members. Ms Armela Krasniqi (ATA, Albania) and Mr Clive Marshall (PA Group, UK) were both elected for 3 years as members of the Board. Therefore, the EANA GA acknowledged that the EANA Board is from now on comprised of Mr Peter Kropsch (President, CEO of dpa, Germany), Ms Armela Krasniqi (ATA, Albania), Mr Clive Marshall (PA Group, UK), Mr Jiri Majstr (CTK, The Czech Republic) and Mr Alexandru Giboi (Secretary General).
We spent three great days with young and eager colleagues. The worked in the newsroom and outside, they wrote stories, took photographs and shot videos. We could see that they enjoyed it and we enjoyed it very much, too. It was not just one-sided experience. It enriched us very much, for example just by their view of journalistic work, "says Jiři Chrst, director of the ČTK Academy, who shared with young colleagues the basics of newsgathering. Foreign journalists especially appreciated the fact that the course tightly blended theory with practice. Everything the trainers were talking about was immediately tried. "It was a great opportunity to exchange experiences and understand how the various agencies work," said Ukrainian journalist Yuliia Ovsiannikova, who, as a photographer, welcomed the opportunity to improve her writing skills. Kyriaki Christodoulou, a CNA journalist, praised the professional work of lecturers. "Our texts were rated by professionals with years of experience, that was a real honour," she said. "I liked that we could exchange views on how we work in our countries, how politicians and politicians try to interfere, because we are all news agencies."
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The Mediterranean Alliance of News Agencies (AMAN) has been notified by its member agency Anadolu (AA) of Turkey that its office in Gaza had been damaged during an Israeli air attack. No injuries or death were reported while the building was totally collapsed, Anadolu reported. AMAN condemns the attack on AA Gaza Office, stressing that the security of media people is of paramount importance for the freedom of speech and democratic values. 7 May 2019
===========================
04.05.2019 Israeli warplanes hit the building in Gaza today where
Anadolu Agency's office is also located. Israeli warplanes hit the building with at least 5
rockets after warning shots, Anadolu Agency's correspondent in Jerusalem reported. No injuries or death were reported while the building is
totally collapsed. We strongly condemn Israel's attack to Anadolu Agency
Gaza Office. We call on national and international press
organizations to react and take action regarding this
violation of both human rights and press freedom. Şenol KAZANCI Chairman of the Board Director General ANADOLU AGENCY
Turkish, Palestinian officials strongly condemn attack
launched by Israeli forces Erdogan Cagatay Zontur | 04.05.2019 JERUSALEM Israeli warplanes hit the building on Saturday where
Anadolu Agency's office is located. Israeli warplanes hit the building with at least 5
rockets after warning shots, Anadolu Agency's correspondent
in Jerusalem reported. 6 No injuries or death were reported. Turkish and Palestinian officials strongly condemned. "Targeting of @AnadoluAgency #Gaza office is new example
of Israel's unrestrained aggression," Turkish Foreign
Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Twitter and added:
"#Israeli violence against innocent people w/out distinction
is a crime against humanity. Those who encourage Israel are
also guilty. "Will keep defending #Palestinian cause, even if alone."
"We strongly condemn Israeli attack on Anadolu Agency
office in Gaza that intends to cover up its new crimes,"
Turkey's Presidential aide Ibrahim Kalin said on twitter.
"We condemn Israel in the strongest possible terms for
targeting a building in the West Bank, in which the
@anadoluagency office was located," Presidential
Communications Director Fahrettin Altun also said on
Twitter. "We urge all governments that claim to defend press
freedom, including @USEmbassyTurkey, to join us in
condemning the Israeli government," Altun added. "Israel's hitting Anadolu Agency's office [in Gaza] is an
attempt to get rid of the witnesses, a preparation of
massacres in Gaza," Palestinian government said in a
statement. Turkish Technology and Industry Minister Mustafa Varank
gave a phone call to Anadolu Agency's Director General Senol
Kazanci and wished for quick recovery. The strikes occurred following reports that two Israeli
soldiers had been injured by gunfire near the Gaza-Israel
buffer zone on Friday. At least two Palestinians were killed when Israeli
warplanes struck Hamas positions in the blockaded Gaza
Strip. 7
===========================
Agence France-Presse has appointed Sylvain Estibal to the
post of regional director for the Middle East and North
Africa (MENA). This is the first time a journalist from the
image side has been chosen to head one of the Agency's seven
regions. A former photo director for Latin America and then
Europe-Africa, Sylvain Estibal is currently Mexico bureau
chief. In this role, he coordinated coverage of the 2017
earthquake. He will bring to his job as MENA regional
director his experience in management, quality multimedia
journalism and also in security issues, having handled
situations in Mexico where journalists are constantly
threatened. In addition to his editorial and management missions, he
will have as a priority "developing image-driven sales",
said AFP Chairman Fabrice Fries. AFP's Global News Director Phil Chetwynd called this
appointment another illustration of "the exemplary
transversal nature of journalism at the Agency, where the
culture of developing image production enables us to
mobilise talent from all our editorial departments to serve
our news mission." In Asia, video journalist Stėphane Delfour is thus to
become Bangkok bureau chief after having been in charge of
AFP's video production in the United States and then in
France. -Sylvain Estibal: Bachelor's degree in Economics,
Master's degree in Sociology and Masters in International
Relations (specialised in the Arab World) from
Paris-Sorbonne (Paris 5). He began his career as a freelance
photographer during the war in Bosnia and joined AFP's photo
service in 1994. He became head of the Features Desk in
2000, then head of photo for Latin America in 2007 and head
of photo for Europe-Africa in 2012. He has held the post of
Mexico bureau chief since 2015. - Stėphane Delfour: Head of AFP TV France (2014-2019)
AFP is launching an online agenda. On a single platform, AFP Agenda lists news events from around the world and informs clients how AFP journalists plan to cover them. Designed for mobile and desktop access, AFP Agenda is easy to use, rich in content and interactive. It is also a gateway to AFP production.
AFP Agenda displays events selected by journalists across our global network. It contains practical information about listed events: dates, times, address and contact information, as well as context and background. Users can share event information by email and add events to their calendars. AFP Agenda users can customise the agenda to their needs, searching the platform by keyword, location, news category or plans for coverage and saving a tailor-made version of the agenda that will be updated in real time. Users can create as many customised agendas as they wish. AFP Agenda provides a direct gateway to all AFP text, photo, video and graphic production available on AFP Forum, the Agency's multimedia download platform. "AFP Agenda is the fruit of numerous exchanges with our clients. It was developed in response to requests for mobile access to our agendas, and to enable clients to create their own agendas," AFP global news director Phil Chetwynd said. "Managed by AFP journalists for our clients, this new tool meets the same editorial standards as all other AFP products." AFP Agenda is currently available in English and French in beta, with access open to all media clients. Spanish and German versions will become available in the coming months. Visit AFP Agenda on https://agenda.afp.com===========================
Πέμπτη 27 Ιουνίου 2019 9 Thirty institutions around the world including Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA) established the Belt and Road Economic Information Partnership (BREIP) in Beijing on Thursday, at a meeting following the initiative of Xinhua News Agency. BREIP's founding members include well-known news agencies, information service providers, research institutions, chambers of commerce and associations from more than 20 countries and regions in Asia, Europe, Africa, Latin America and Oceania, Xinhua reported. The BREIP is aimed at providing convenient and practical economic information service for the governments and enterprises of countries participating in the Belt and Road construction through sharing economic information among members. The aim is to promote mutual benefits in a win-win situation for all participants, said Cai Mingzhao, president of Xinhua News Agency, when addressing the inaugural meeting of the BREIP. "The exchange and sharing of information is an important foundation of connectivity, which is vital to advancing the Belt and Road cooperation," said Cai. The establishment of the BREIP lays a solid foundation for the Belt and Road economic information cooperation, and Xinhua News Agency, as an initiator, will actively fulfill its responsibilities and make contributions to the building of the partnership, he added. In the Greek market, co-founder ANA aims to support mainly Greek companies to promote their activities in Chinese market, as ANA-MPA President & Director General Michalis Psilos said at the conference. "Our aim is to help Greek companies to present their products on this international platform, operated by Xinhua, helping Greek products become well known in a huge market such China's market is," Psilos said. Alfred Schipke, IMF Senior Resident Representative for China, told the meeting that with the increasing of Belt and Road partners, the demand for economic information is also increasing, making it pressing to establish an international economic information exchange and cooperation mechanism. The sharing of economic information under the BREIP will promote economic development, cooperation and the Belt and Road construction, Schipke added. ANA MPA will also participate in the online platform - named BRInfo - for sharing information and conducting cooperation among BREIP members which is also launched at the meeting. BREIP member institutions can share information and research results concerning the investment, trade, industry, projects and enterprises related to the Belt and Road initiative, through the BRInfo platform, in real time and free of charge. 10 ===========================
The news agencies of Cyprus (CNA) and Morocco (MAP) have signed a cooperation agreement providing, inter alia, for exchange of news in English and Arabic, photographs and videos. The agreement was signed in Nicosia by CNA Director George Penintaex and MAP Director General Khalil Hachimi Idrissi. The two heads praised the signing of the agreement, on non-commercial basis, saying this would benefit not only the two agencies but also the two countries. The agreement also provides for assistance and support to their envoys and correspondents to Morocco and Cyprus. The two agencies agreed to respond to each other's requests concerning additional services if requested. CNA and MAP have very close cooperation within the framework of the Mediterranean Alliance of News Agencies (AMAN). ===========================
SARAJEVO (FENA) - Federal News Agency (FENA) continues developing new projects within which it launched two specialized news portals to expand the media offer and make its content more visible. News portal FENA.BIZ (www.fena.biz) offers abundance of news and content from area of economy in local languages, whereas FENA.NEWS (www.fena.news) is a complete source of daily news from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region in English language. FENA expects FENA.BIZ to be particularly interesting and useful to business people and all those involved in economic activities, including the non-governmental sector, employers' associations, chambers of economy and associated organizations in BiH and the region. Portal will also offer news related to legal regulative significant for all business entities but also the citizens. On the other hand, FENA.NEWS enables all those who speak English but not necessarily official languages in BiH to have access to political, economic and social events in BiH. Aim of the portal is to improve investment, tourist and every other promotion of the state of BiH and its potential. Thanks to cooperation with partner agencies, FENA's news are already available worldwide and their visibility will be even greater via FENA.NEWS. We consider this another step in expanding FENA's services in the international market. Federal News Agency FENA was one of the media partners of this-year's Annual Conference of Governors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which was organized in Sarajevo by Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH in cooperation with EBRD on May 7-9. 11 "Sarajevo not only offers diverse and multicultural environment but also strong connections for trade and business activities with the rest of Europe," said Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Chakrabarti. Sarajevo hosted EBRD annual meeting and business forum 2019, which gathered more than 3000 participants. During three days of the meeting Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted more than 3000 representatives of the international business community, investors, high government officials and representatives of civil society organizations. The event focused on ways to connect economies for strong growth and impact, both in the Western Balkans and beyond. In accordance with its commitments as a media partner, during the conference FENA published 128 articles (with 98 photo illustrations) in official languages in BiH, 35 articles in English language, 132 photos and 10 videos. During the conference alone over 500 media outlets took over FENA's articles, which once again confirms FENA as the leading agency in Bosnia and Herzegovina. ===========================
The Board of Directors of Morocco's news agency MAP,
convened on Monday under the chairmanship of culture and
communication minister Mohamed Laaraj, approved the action
plan and the budget for the year 2019. Speaking at the opening of the event, Laaraj said this meeting follows the issuing of law n 02.15 on MAP reorganization and related to provisions that would foster the legal system governing the prerogatives of the agency as a national media outlet and broaden its field of action to boost its competitiveness continentally and internationally. This law brings new powers to turn the agency from a provider of unique product "dispatch" to a body in line with the working methods of modern international news agencies using developed management means based on product diversification and modernization, he said, noting the publishing of the decree implementing this law, mainly concerning the administration's representation within the Agency's board. In a presentation on the occasion, MAP secretary general Rachid Boumhil surveyed the agency's accomplishments, since the previous board of directors, which concern new products as "Nouvelles du Maroc" and "Maroc Factuel", in addition to services as "SOS Fake News" and MAP's presence on social networks. 12 Recalling the paramount importance of audiovisual products in the Agency's new profession charter and the portals' upward performance, he highlighted the diversity in the content of MAP products which have direct relevance to clients. He also outlined the 2019 action plan which involves the setting up of governance mechanisms as the Editorial Council, the Joint Management Council, the Strategy and Technology Watch Committee and MAP Ombudsman.
The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) and the Eastern Region signed, on Tuesday in Oujda, an agreement to develop regional information and highlight local projects and achievements. Under this agreement, inked by MAP director general, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, and chairman of the Region's Council, Abdenbi Bioui, the two parties undertake to pool their efforts to promote the region's potential. It allows the Eastern region to benefit from MAP's expertise in media coverage and to showcase its projects, achievements and activities. Speaking on this occasion, MAP secretary general Rachid Boumhil said that this is a type of agreement that MAP is developing with all the regions of the Kingdom. Through this agreement, he added, MAP makes its resources available to the region to cover a number of events, to produce text editions, magazines, periodicals or even photo albums, all for the benefit of the region's citizens and cultural and economic activity.
Moroccan News Agency (MAP) and the European News Exchange (ENEX), an association bringing together the world's leading television broadcasters, signed an agreement, on Tuesday in Rabat, aimed at ensuring the continuous dissemination of Moroccan news internationally. Signed by MAP Director General Khalil Hachimi Idrissi and ENEX director of operations in the MENA zone Hamza El Attar, this agreement is meant notably to ensure an effective large media coverage internationally, increase MAP's visibility and follow the world's news in real time, in addition to strengthening cooperation relations among ENEX members sharing their content and sources of information. This agreement covers the exchange of editorial, logistical and planning information, as well as satellite and on-line information. Speaking on this occasion, Hachimi Idrissi welcomed this agreement with ENEX, a world-leading platform for credible and reliable information exchange and transfer around the world. This agreement will facilitate access to international news in record time and spread national news via ENEX which has 75 members, he said, noting that 13 this agreement confirms once again the openness of MAP on its international environment. El Attar emphasized that the strength of ENEX comes from its members who provide, instantly, quality products, noting that the main task of ENEX is the verification of any information and the quality of any type of production. ENEX is honored to conclude this agreement with MAP, a leading agency on the African and Arab scene, he said. ===========================
17/06/2019 15:38, TUNIS/Tunisia
(TAP) - A professional symposium on the use of video at news agencies is held on June 17 and 18 in Tunis, at the initiative of the Tunis-Afrique-Presse (TAP) news agency, in co-operation the with the La Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) foundation and the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN). Several experts, officials and journalists representing the various Mediterranean news agencies are participating in this meeting. They stressed the importance of audiovisual content in the journalistic product of news agencies, especially in the face of media development and the proliferation of information on social networks. TAP CEO Rachid Khechana stressed, at the opening of the meeting, the Agency's concern during the next stage to include audiovisual content in the texts and news produced. TAP plans to create a new journalistic production unit specialising in the insertion of videos, he said. Speaking about the Algerian experience, Mohamed Rahmouni, head of the multimedia department of the Algerian News Agency (APS), stressed the importance of investing in human resources (journalists and technicians) to guarantee an optimal quality product that respects professional standards and can compete with those of other media. The seminar brings together participants from Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Syria, Palestine, Turkey, France, Greece, Spain and Albania Seminar on uses of video in news agencies recommends mainstreaming mobile journalism and various multimedia 18/06/2019 22:22, TUNIS/Tunisia
(TAP) - The seminar on "Uses of Video at News Agencies: Comparative Mediterranean Approaches," organised on June 17 and 18 in Tunis by Tunis-Afrique-Presse (TAP) news agency, in association with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN), recommended at the end of its work to promote the use of mobile journalism in newsrooms because of its important role in diversifying content and increasing production.It also recommended giving due importance to videos for their important role in redesigning press work in news agencies and diversifying their media and news products. The recommendations of the seminar also call for the diversification of technologies used besides mobile phones, cameras and editing technologies to produce digital content of high quality and value. Emphasis was placed on the need to support training and rehabilitation efforts aimed at improving the skills of agency journalists and to provide them with the needed skills to use modern media and their techniques as part of a strategy aimed at investing in human resources and adapting them to the challenges of the interactive digital landscape. Participants also recommended adjusting the marketing plan for the new video service after determining the appropriate business model. They therefore stressed the need of studying the smartphone user base in accordance with the characteristics of each country's community mode and the human and material opportunities available to each agency, while working to create the different forms of video production. Secretary-General of the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN) George Penintaex called for the need to develop a programme of co-operation and exchange of experiences between AFP and TAP news agencies, while seeking to invest in young talents capable of creativity and innovation in content industry. During the seminar, the experiences of the various Mediterranean news agencies in the use of videos and various working methods were reviewed. Representatives of the participating agencies emphasised the need to mainstream video production and create an audiovisual production unit as an added value of the work in news agencies and due to its role in strengthening the role of news agencies in their environment as a major source of professional news shifting from traditional journalism to multimedia journalism offering diversified products. The seminar, which was opened Monday by CEO of TAP Agency Rachid Khechana, the Secretary-General of the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies and Resident Representative of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Holger Dix, is part of TAP's preparations for launching a video production unit in the coming weeks, a project funded by the European Union under the Media Support Programme in Tunisia.
TAP seminar on uses of videos in news agencies closes 18/06/2019 21:05, TUNIS/Tunisia
(TAP) - Tunis-Afrique-Presse (TAP) news agency held on June 18 and 19 a professional seminar on "Video Uses at News Agencies: Comparative Mediterranean Approaches," in association with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN).The seminar, which was attended by more than 30 journalists from several Arab and Mediterranean cou ntries, is part of TAP's concern to learn more about comparative experiences in the production of videos and audiovisual contents and to expand professional consultation before launching this new service in future TAP products.During the two-day meeting presided over by TAP CEO Rachid Khachana, participants discussed topics related mainly to the production of video content, the video editing process and the selection of audio clips in connection with the editorial line and the professional and commercial contribution this kind of product may provide to the news agency. Rami Samara, head of the multimedia department at the Palestinian news agency, gave a presentation on "the importance of video production in the news agency", while Mohamed Rahmouni, assistant editor-in-chief of the audiovisual department in APS spoke about: "Investing in human resources: When Technology is not solely a technical issue". For her part, Nadia Abram, editor-in-chief of the audiovisual department at the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) focused on the experience of her agency in video content production, saying "MAP provides preferential services to its customers and partners." Tuesday's speeches by Cėsar Akl, head of the audiovisual division at the Lebanese news agency and Ignacio Martin, a journalist from EFE news agency, and George Kouvaras, a journalist with the audiovisual section of the Greek news agency tackled the issue of video production from a press and technical perspective. The discussion focused particularly on a central issue: which complementarity between writing and video? For his part, Yilmaz Yaman, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Turkish Anadolu news agency highlighted the marketing and promotional aspects of video productions, while Sherif Al-Toukhi, a video journalist at Egyptian Middle East News Agency (MENA), gave a presentation titled "Video journalism and its impact on social media sites." Rachid Khechana, Chief Executive Officer of TAP news agency, George Penintaex, Secretary General of the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN) and Holger Dix, resident representative of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in Tunisia had stressed at the opening session of the seminar the importance of this meeting in sharing experiences in the production of video contents between news agencies from the technical and editorial viewpoints. They emphasised the need to the make the most of successful approaches in the two shores of the Mediterranean, especially the North Mediterranean likely to strengthen exchange and co-operation between them in a vital and important area which is the production and industry of digital content. --------------------------------------
Use of video at News Agencies: Comparative Mediterranean
approaches Address by AMAN Secretary General Mr. George Penintaex Dear Colleagues, I am very happy to be here with you, coming directly from Sofia, where the sixth News Agencies World Congress took place, discussing The Future of News. Tonight, I have to go back to Cyprus, where the Executive Committee of the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies will meet on Wednesday.AMAN responded positively to TAP's proposal for hosting a professional seminar on the Use of video at news agencies: Comparative Mediterranean Approaches.Ten AMAN member-agencies participate in the seminar: AFP, EFE, AA and ANA/MPA from the northern shore of the Mediterranean and MAP, APS, MENA, WAFA, NNA, SANA from the southern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean. ATA Director General had to cancel the last minute her trip to Tunis because of the political situation in Albania. The participation of more than half of the AMAN member-agencies is interpreted as a good-will move of solidarity with the Tunisian National News Agency, which wants to establish its own audiovisual studio that will allow to develop video production and integrate it into its main services. This is the main reason for founding AMAN, back in 1991, in this town. To bring together and sit around the same table as equal partners all national news agencies of the Mediterranean, from the northern and southern shores. The Mediterranean Sea is the artificial border between the north and the south, the south and the north. But at the same time, the Mediterranean waters unite a mosaic of civilizations, cultures, languages and religions. Over the years, the member-agencies have developed through the Alliance a very productive dialogue with an aim to find ways and means of cooperation and narrowing the gap between the advanced and less advanced news agencies, between the rich and the poor news agencies. As professionals, we discuss needs and challenges facing the news agencies in today's world. We discuss changes that we need to launch in order to adjust our profession and work in the fast-moving technology. We try to find ways and means to cope with the new antagonists, on-line newspapers, blocs, the social media. Do they constitute a threat or can we turn them into an ally? What about fake news? How we respond?All the above concern the news agencies that are forced to be flexible and are urged to respond quickly. My efforts as Secretary General, with the longest experience in this Alliance, and believing in the spirt of cooperation, support and solidarity, aim always at building bridges among the member-agencies. Within this context we are here today. I would like to congratulate the TAP CEO, Mr. Rachid Khechana, the Director of External Relations of TAP, Dr. Chaouki Aloui, who have worked hard for this seminar, and the TAP staff for the excellent organization of the two-day professional seminar and for the warm hospitality extended to all of us. AMAN also thanks the other partner of the seminar, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, for its valuable contribution, in bringing together the heads of video departments of the main news agencies in the Mediterranean. 18 I am sure, the knowledge and the wide experience of the speakers, over the two days of business, will help TAP to launch its own video service. The speakers are expected to touch all sides of audiovisual production, notably:
I wish every success in your deliberations. ===========================
04/05/2019 12:21, TUNIS/Tunisia (TAP) - The Tunisian Federation of Newspaper Directors (FTDJ) on Saturday considered it "dramatic" the situation of the Tunisian print media, blaming the government for the non-implementation of the conventions aimed at preserving the sustainability of the sector. In a statement published on the World Press Freedom Day on May 3 of each year, the federation pointed out that a number of newspapers have ceased to appear, specifying that two media have been forced to dismiss dozens of employees in the face of the difficulties encountered since 2011. "No solution has been found to this crisis," denounced the Federation, calling for the establishment of a mechanism for the organisation and distribution of public advertising. It estimated that the distribution of advertising is a problem that still hinders the development of the sector since public sector advertisers cannot access these newspapers directly. In this statement, the federation also calls for financing the fund dedicated to the print media and to think about ways to boost the sale of newspapers. Tuesday, 30 July 2019
=========================== agency's call for reaction regarding the deportation risk of its photojournalist from Jerusalem Anadolu Agency Photo Journalist Mr. Mustafa Kharouf was arrested on 22 nd January 2019 and faces a risk of deportation from Jerusalem to Jordan after his application for family unification was rejected regarding the data that have not been made public.Mr. Mustafa Kharouf has been living in Jerusalem for over 20 years and has a Palestinian mother, a Palestinian wife, and children. We have doubts that his deportation is mainly related to the Israeli government's discomfort of his journalistic activities. This concern was also officially issued to Minister of Public Security by Anadolu Agency, Minister of Interior by the International Press Institute (IPI) and to Government Press Office by International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). We are deeply concerned about the well being of our Photo Journalist Mr. Mustafa Kharouf who is under custody and such violation of freedom of the press by Israeli authorities. Regarding human rights, rights of press freedom and freedom of expression we urge Israel to review Mr. Mustafa Kharouf's case and let him unite with his family by giving his residence permit in a situation which is already being followed by international media institutions. 3 We call on national and international press organizations to react and take action regarding this violation of both human rights and press freedom.
Anadolu Agency, Turkey's premier news outlet, on Monday signed a protocol of corporate cooperation with the Developing-8 (D8) Organization for Economic Cooperation. The protocol was inked by Mustafa Ozkaya, Anadolu Agency's deputy director-general, and Dato' Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari, the D8 secretary general, at the agency's Istanbul offices. Under the protocol, Anadolu Agency, as a global communication partner of the D8, will cover the activities of the organization and translate them into all the languages that the agency posts news in. It will also contribute to promoting the bloc by covering the joint work of D8 member states more actively.
Office in Pakistan adds to company's strong global presence in 41 countries. Anadolu Agency formally inaugurated its Islamabad office Tuesday as part of efforts to expand its global reach. In a speech at the ceremony, Pakistan's Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, drew attention to the strong relations between Pakistan and Turkey. The new office in the heart of the capital was inaugurated by Hussain, Turkey's ambassador to Pakistan Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul, Anadolu Agency's Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Director General Metin Mutanoglu and Deputy Director General Mustafa Ozkaya as well as diplomats, members of parliament, officials and prominent local media figures. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/corporate-news/anadolu-agency-formally-inaugurates-islamabad-office/1416279 =============================================================
The international news agency AFP, which has 201 bureaux in 151 countries, has launched its new API. AFP Content API simplifies access to AFP's real-time production and allows developers to innovate by creating their own custom-made applications. Media, pure-players and businesses can now integrate AFP's new API directly into their content production and editing tools or their mobile applications in order to access one of the world's biggest sources of content. AFP produces 5,000 text and multimedia dispatches, 3,000 photos, 100 videos, 80 infographics and video graphics daily, enriched with 640,000 pieces of meta data, all accessible via AFP Content API in the Agency's six languages of production. AFP Content API reduces technical costs and development time for clients :=
AFP Content API offers a better user experience :
Go to https://developers.afp.com/en/ to test the API, download the technical specifications and request a free trial. AFP offers long term free access to incubators and start-ups.
After Mexico and Colombia, AFP is expanding its Spanish language fact-checking operation to Spain and Argentina. The articles will be freely accessible on the Spanish blog AFP Factual that is dedicated to verifying and debunking disinformation spread online. Some of the fact-checked content will have been posted on Facebook and flagged by the social media platform. The articles will respect the Agency's established editing process, and AFP will choose independently what content to fact-check. Based in Madrid and Buenos Aires, the new fact-checking teams will work with the Agency's existing network of journalists and will check potentially fake content being distributed in Spain and Latin America. The agreement with Facebook includes the verification of images, an area of expertise for AFP. https://www.afp.com/en/agency/press-releases-newsletter/afp-extends-its-fact-checking-operation-spain-and-argentina
After joining partnerships to debunk fake news and disinformation during elections in France, Brazil and Nigeria, AFP is now joining a verification project with 18 other fact-checking outlets in the run-up to the European Parliamentary elections in May. FactCheckEu has been launched by the International Fact-Checking Network and is available in 10 languages. Fact-checks that appear on the AFP Fact-Check site will be pubished by FactCheckEU. It will include fact-checks on possible disinformation being spread in the EU, will verify statements by politicians, and will also answer questions sent by readers in a Q&A section. FactCheckEU will also look at how disinformation spreads from country to country within the EU and who is behind it. AFP already partnered in the First Draft initiatives CrossCheck for the 2017 French presidential election, the CrossCheck partnership for the 2018 Nigerian elections and the Comprova fact-checking project for the 2018 Brazilian presidential election. AFP has developed fact-checking programmes in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic in 19 countries - South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Cameroon, Colombia, Spain, France, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Senegal and Sri Lanka. https://www.afp.com/en/agency/press-releases-newsletter/afp-joins-factcheckeu-new-collaborative-project-fight-disinformation-ahead-european-elections 5
Now established as a site of reference for major European issues, the EDNH (European Data News Hub) is launching a new version of its platform. More reactive to European news and accessible in more languages, the EDNH aims to bring online users and global media invaluable insights into the most important issues within the EU. These include Brexit, the European elections, the migrant crisis and policies to fight climate change. Already available in five languages - English, German, French, Italian and Spanish - it will now also offer Hungarian and Romanian. In March, the Romanian news agency Agerpres is joining the consortium of news agencies that produce the site - Paris-based AFP, the Italian news agency Ansa and the German news agency DPA. As it has done for the past two years, the EDNH site will provide European media and users with text, photo, infographics and 3D videos. AFP's Europe director Christine Buhagiar said: "We are delighted to contribute to the EDNH in distributing to the public verified facts and correctly sourced data. "The EDNH is carrying out an essential mission to promote better understanding of the major issues facing the European Union at a time when disinformation campaigns are proliferating". The content, which is free of copyright, can be downloaded and published by media and shared by online users. EDNH content is also distributed worldwide by agencies to their subscribers, newspapers, TV networks, radio stations, to online and mobile sites, data bases and institutions. The EDNH is subsidised by the European Commission and enjoys full editorial independence, a key to its credibility that is enshrined in its charter that can be freely consulted on its site.
The Algerian government expelled AFP Algiers bureau chief Aymeric Vincenot on Tuesday in the wake of its refusal to renew his press accreditation. The expulsion comes amid massive demonstrations in Algeria that underline the indispensable role journalists play in explaining the events to the rest of the world. AFP chairman Fabrice Fries said: "This arbitrary decision taken under the presidency of Mr Bouteflika is unacceptable, and it is out of the question for us, in these circumstances, to appoint a successor for the time being". The Algerian authorities have never officially informed the AFP management of the reasons for the decision, merely reporting various grievances verbally in March without ever offering any proof. Vincenot, 45, had been stationed in Algiers since June 2017 and left the country after the expiration of a final police deadline to leave. 6 "By depriving us of our bureau chief, this decision seriously affects our presence in Algeria, which is there to provide exhaustive and rigorous coverage of the historic events that are currently underway" said Fries. He added "we are not giving up" and the Agency had already sent special envoys to the country and would continue to submit requests for journalist visas. He also expressed "the solidarity of AFP towards Algerian journalists, who are bravely doing their work in particularly difficult conditions." The AFP bureau chief, whose residency permit expired on February 28, has been without accreditation since the end of 2018. His request to renew his press card for 2019 received no response from the Algerian authorities, despite AFP's best efforts. AFP's international network covers world news in text, video, photo and infographics 24/7 based on strict editorial principles of rigour, independence and impartiality. The Agency is trusted by more than 5,000 clients worldwide and is present in 151 countries. It has had a bureau in Algiers since 1962.
Freelance photographer Farshad Usyan, from Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan, has won the first edition of the Shah Marai Award for his series of 15 photos of his compatriots' daily lives, which vividly capture their desire to live freely and express themselves as they wish. This award, entitled "My Afghanistan", was launched in honour of Shah Marai, chief photographer of Agence France-Presse's Kabul bureau killed in a suicide attack on April 30, 2018. Afghan photographers were invited to portray the reality their people face away from the tragic images of violence. Farshad, 26, called his photo story "The Pacifist". His photos show veiled women laughing with friends in a 3D cinema, a female radio journalist or taxi driver, a young couple celebrating Valentine's Day in a chic restaurant or ballot boxes transported up a mountain by donkey. Summing up his work, Farshad said: "Peace does not only mean absence of war, it could also mean a safe environment, human dignity, right to education, right of 7 expression, freedom of speech, freedom of choice and freedom of sexuality." "I believe media, especially photography, is a very powerful tool to initiate positive movements within a society," said Farshad, a medical graduate who grew up under the Taliban and took over the job of photographer from his brother who passed away. Second prize was awarded to Hoshang Hashimi, a photo stringer aged 30. Hoshang is from Herat in the west of the country and has experience working with the world's three biggest news agencies. The prize rewards a very beautiful series of photos, entitled "Afghan Life in the Middle of Conflict", portraying the difficulties but also the moments of calm in daily life. Third prize went to Mohammad Anwar Danishyar, a 21-year-old freelancer from Jalalabad in the east of Afghanistan. Entitled "Bricks to Blackboards", his series of photos shows the hard labour carried out by families dependent on rich owners of open-air brick factories, with their children's classrooms set up in the middle. The three prize winners were chosen from 56 entries by a jury of five people from the world of photography, based only on the series of images and their description. The three prizes will be awarded at a ceremony in Paris. =============================================================
Multinational technology company Google is to collaborate with Spain's international news agency EFE to help it innovate and further its advancement into cutting edge digital platforms by providing training on the use of state-of-the-art tools and formats as well as systems for the distribution of news content, the companies said in joint statements Wednesday. The collaboration is to take place during the coming months and will include training for EFE professionals provided by the Google News Lab team in the use of digital tools that should help in newsgathering and forward transmission, the companies said. "The alliance with Google is key," said Fernando Garea, EFE's President, who added that "search engines are essential to ensuring that news media can be seen and read and redirected to reliable sources of information." more from EFE:
EFE's top management, under Fernando Garea's presidency, has undertaken in 2019 a wide-ranging reform aiming at adapting agency's production to the new demands of the digital world and increasing its revenues, within the framework of its public service obligations. The reform is based on a number of general principles, including specialization, decentralization and multimedia transformation. EFE does not want to be categorized only as a general news provider and has opted for specialization. A new department created at the headquarters in Madrid, named 'EFE 360', will promote the production of thematic contents based on high demanded news, especially among young people, such as those concerning scientific discoveries, the so-called fourth industrial revolution, women's empowerment, health, climate change, or trends in entertainment and fashion, among others. The agency will continue expanding its global network and, at the same time, decentralizing its information flows in order to gain speed and adapt its contents to every market needs. After consolidating its position in America, EFE intends to reinforce its presence in the Far East by improving its offer with a renewed service in English. But if there is a word that summarizes the change in EFE, this is "multimedia". Each production unit will be able to handle all information formats -text, photo, audio and video- and send 'packages' to the clients that do not require any editing work on their part. A very special effort is already being made so that the entire correspondents network, national and international, increase the production of video, including live video. EFE has also joined the fight against fake news through the creation of an internal unit charged with verifying the information circulating, especially, on social networks. =============================================================
The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) and the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) inked, on March 8, 2019, in Sofia, a new cooperation agreement that replaces the one signed between the two agencies in 2004. The agreement was signed by MAP Director General, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, and BTA Director General, Maxime Minchev, in the presence of Bulgarian deputy minister of Foreign Affairs, Yuri Sterk. The agreement is meant to strengthen cooperation between the two agencies in order to enable better mutual use of information services (text, photo, video and audio). "This agreement will develop cooperation between the two agencies," Sterk said on this occasion. 9 For his part, Hachimi Idrissi expressed his joy at signing this agreement with BTA.
Minister of Culture and Communication, Mohamed Laȃraj, called on March 11 in Rabat for the implementation of the law on public-private partnership contracts in order to promote investment in the field of the electronic press. The ministry is working towards the establishment of a reading support fund, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, said Laȃraj, who was the guest of MAP's Forum held on the theme "the Moroccan press facing the digital challenge". In this regard, he said that his department is working on completing the Law of the Electronic Press with a view to making it a legal framework in line with the challenges and innovations in this area. The constituent assembly of the Parity Committee of Morocco's news agency (MAP), a body meant to promote the female component in the agency's human capital, was held on March 12, 2019, in Sale. The executive body, whose inception coincides with the celebration of the 60th anniversary of MAP, will monitor and assess the yearly evolution of the parity rate within the agency's different departments and submit proposals to contribute to improving MAP's female competences (administrative and journalistic staff). Speaking on this occasion, MAP managing director Khalil Hachimi Idrissi said that this committee will create an institutional mechanism so that women could get the same rights as their male counterparts, and will address issues related to the issue of gender equality. Hachimi Idrissi called on the committee to support, in an efficient and operational way, MAP's strategy and to present as soon as possible solutions to achieve parity in decision-making positions. For her part, Meryem Louali, president of the strategic and technological committee and new chairwoman of the Parity Committee, highlighted the rate of women's participation among MAP's administrative and journalistic staff which reached 38% in 2018.
Why a new allowance system? The first thing to understand is that this is an aspect that MAP has always put forward as an argument in the construction of its organizational model: 1. MAP, a networked enterprise, aims to become the No. 1 source of regional information. It therefore needs to consolidate its human resources at the various regional poles. If the assignment in the international poles is accompanied by cash benefits, it's not the same thing at the regional poles. So, it was important to put things in place. 2. MAP has introduced new professions related to audio and video products. These products have different requirements and a different way of working than a conventional news agency. It was therefore necessary to support these efforts and attract talents to these new professions. 3. The predominance of excellence has become a choice of governance, as evidenced by the appraisal of the performance over the few last years. It's not a 20/20 anymore for everyone. Based on this principle, a reflection was conducted on how to distinguish the agents who showed exceptional performance over a year. Hence the idea of introducing a new premium focused exclusively on excellence and the level of contribution to the results obtained by the agency. In concrete terms, how is this reflected on an agent's pay slip? The Regional Mobility Lump Sum is a compensation which represents 3 times the gross salary of the agent assigned by the Administration to a Moroccan city other than that of his current residence. This allowance is paid twice in the career of an agent. Journalists from the Economics and Finance Department, recently transferred to Casablanca, will be the first to receive this compensation. The TV/Radio allowance will be dedicated exclusively to journalists who work on MAP TV and MAP Radio beyond their regular hours, at the rate of: 160 DH / hour, between 08:00 am and 20:00 pm and 260 DH / Hour, between 20:00 and 00:00 h. This means that a journalist who makes a shift per day, in addition to his normal schedule, can increase his pay by 20% to 30%. The Individual Variable Contribution Premium is a bonus that is added to the 13th month payment and the performance bonus currently in effect and which benefits staff who obtained a mark of 20/20 during the year within the limit of 1 / 3 of the MAP workforce. The bonus can reach 1 month of the gross salary of the agent, which is much higher than the base of the performance bonus that does not take into account all the elements constituting the salary. Who benefits from this scheme? All staff, statutory and contractual, which is also a major step forward in MAP's remuneration system of MAP.
The Brazilian ambassador in Rabat Jose Humberto de Brito Cruz called, on Feb. 7 in Rabat, for further boosting economic and trade relations with Morocco to reflect their potential and ambitions. The Brazilian diplomat, who was the guest of the Diplomatic Meetings organized by Morocco's news agency (MAP) under the theme "the Past and future of relations between Morocco and Brazil", along with director of the Institute for Spanish and Portuguese Studies, Fatiha Benlabbah, stressed 11 that economic and trade cooperation between Morocco and Brazil posted a significant increase in recent years, but remains below the expectations of both countries. He said that there is a huge potential and undeniable untapped opportunities in the economic and commercial fields.
MAP provided large media coverage at the 25th edition of the International Book Fair (SIEL), held on Feb. 7 to 17 in Casablanca. A team was instructed to ensure coverage for the event (Text, Photo, Video, Audio, Computer Graphics), under a partnership agreement signed by MAP and the Ministry of Culture and Communication in its capacity as organizer of the event. MAP is also committed to disseminating all press releases and photos sent by the partner.
Director-General of Morocco's News Agency (MAP) Khalil Hachimi Idrissi received, on Wednesday, Feb. 6, at MAP headquarters, Finnish journalists Mika Horelli and Antero Eerola. On this occasion, Hachimi Idrissi reviewed the different divisions and products of the agency and presented MAP strategic plan, underlining the diversification of media coverage, journalistic genres and the integration of multimedia production. During this meeting, the MAP Director General presented the Atlantic Federation of African News Agencies (FAAPA) as an alliance that advocates for a greater role for African news agencies to address the challenges facing a continuously-mutating world.
The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) and Emirates News Agency (WAM) have agreed to strengthen their cooperation to develop multimedia products. This willingness was expressed at a meeting held on December 25, 2018, in Rabat, between MAP managing director, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, and WAM executive director, Mohamed Jalal Al Rayssi. In this regard, the two parties agreed to renew in the coming weeks the agreement signed in 2011, in order to integrate into the scope of bilateral cooperation the whole range of digital products made available to the clients of the two agencies. The meeting was also an opportunity to discuss WAM-MAP-FAAPA tripartite cooperation. The means of setting up a Media City in Morocco were also on the agenda of the talks. 12
MAP journalists Soumia Al Arkoubi and Morad Khanchouli jointly won the News Agency Award at the 16th edition of the National Press Grand Prix held on December 21, 2018, for their papers "Lieutenant-Colonel Khadija Koudamra, the warrior peace ambassador in Central Africa" and "Fez: A glimmer of hope at the end of the dark tunnel of addiction". The awards were handed to the two journalists at a ceremony held in Rabat in the presence of Head of Government Saad Dine El Otmani, and several ministers and personalities from the fields of culture, media, art and literature. The jury of this edition was chaired by Mohamed Seddik Maaninou.
Morocco's News Agency (MAP) and Russian news agency Sputnik signed on December, 17, 2018, in Rabat an agreement to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Signed by MAP Managing Director, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, and Head of International Projects Center at SPUTNIK, Vasily Vladimirovich Pushkov, the agreement aims at establishing professional relations and fostering cooperation between the two agencies in Russia and Morocco. The two parties will seek to develop bilateral cooperation in the area of information in order to strengthen cooperation between the two countries and carry out projects aimed at developing the media landscape. =============================================================
Senegalese journalist Mohamed Tidiane Ndiaye won the Grand Prix of the Atlantic Federation of African News Agencies (FAAPA) on December 21 in Rabat for his article "Casamance: women rebel against poverty". Burkinabe Aminata Cisse won the FAAPA Grand Prix for the best picture. The award was handed to her in Rabat by FAAPA President and MAP Managing Director, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, at the end of the 4th General Assembly of the Pan-African Federation (Dec. 20-21).
Let's start with some definitionsof the fake news. According to experts, fake newsis a type of yellow journalism or propaganda that consists of deliberate disinformation or hoaxes spread via traditional print and broadcast news media on online social media. The term is also at times used to cast doubt legitimate news from an opposing political standpoint, a tactic known as the lying press. Thefalseinformation is then often reverberated as misinformation in social media, but occasionally finds its way to the mainstream media as well. Fake news is written and published usually with the intent to mislead in order to damage an agency, entity, or person, and/or gain financially or politically, often using sensationalist, dishonest, or outright fabricated headlines to increase readership, online sharing, and Internet click revenue. In the latter case, it is similar to sensational online "clickbait" headlines and relies on advertising revenue generated from this activity, regardless of the veracity of the published stories. Intentionally misleading and deceptive fake news differs from obvious satire parody, which is intended to amuse ratherthan mislead its audience. The relevance of fake news has increased in post-truth politics. For media outlets, the ability to attract viewers to their websites is necessary to generate online advertising revenue. If publishing a story with false contentattracts users, this benefits advertisers and improves ratings. Easy access to online advertisement revenue, increased political polarization, and the popularity of social media have all been implicated in the spread of fake news, which competes with legitimate news stories. Hostile government actors have also been implicated in generating and propagating fake news, particularly during elections. Fake news undermines serious media coverage and makes it more difficult for journalists to cover significant news stories. An analysis by BuzzFeed found that the top 20 fake news stories about the 2016 U.S. presidential electionreceived more engagement on Facebook than thetop 20 election stories from 19 major media outlets. Anonymously-hosted fake news websiteslacking known publishers have also been criticized, because they make it difficult to prosecute sources of fake news for libel. Unfortunately, the fake news phenomenon is spreading all over the globe and it takes increasingly worrying dimensions. Fake or misleading news are diffused everywhere in print, audio-visual or online form. Managing, addressing and containing the fake news, as a dangerous and corrosive phenomenon for democracy and pluralism, is a task and 10 obligation that many people undertake. First and foremost the journalists themselves. When the Internet was first made accessible for public use in the 1990s, its main purpose was for the seeking and accessing of information. As fake news was introduced to the Internet, this made it difficult for some people to find truthful information. The impact of fake news has become a worldwide phenomenon. Fake news is often spread through the use of fake news websites, which, in order to gain credibility, specialize in creating attention-grabbing news, which often impersonate well-known news sources. Research has shown that fake news hurts social media and online based outlets far worse than traditional print and TV outlets. After a survey was conducted, it was found that 58% of people had less trust in social media news stories as opposed to 24% of people in mainstream media after learning about fake news. The exposure of citizens to large scale disinformation, including misleading or outright false information, is a major challenge for Europe. The Commission has engaged with all stakeholders to define a clear, comprehensive and broad-based action plan to tackle the spread and impact of online disinformation in Europe and ensure the protection of European values and democratic systems. Disinformation -or fake news -consists of verifiably false or misleading information that is created, presented and disseminated for economic gain or to intentionally deceive the public, and may cause public harm. The phenomenon is having a bigger impact than ever before as it is easier for anyone to post and share any news or information online. Social media and online platforms play an important role in speeding up the spread of such news and they enable a global reach without much effort from the author. A comprehensive policy response must reflect the specific roles of different actors (social platforms, news media and users), and define their responsibilities according to a number of guiding principles. These include the freedom of expression, media pluralism, andthe rights of citizens to diverse and reliable information. The EU Commission supports a multi-stakeholders process, involving platforms, news media, research and civil society organisationsin order to find the right solutions consistent with fundamental principles and applicable coherently across the European Union. In its Communication "Tackling online disinformation: a European approach", the Commission puts forward an action plan and self-regulatory tools to tackle the spread and impact of online disinformation in Europe, and ensure the protection of European values and democratic systems.11 Four principles guide the action: 1. Improve transparency regarding the way information is produced or sponsored; 2. Diversity of information; 3. Credibility of information; 4. Inclusive solutions with broad stakeholder involvement. As European Commission President Juncker mentioned in his Mission Letter to Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society Mariya Gabriel, the Commission needs to look into the challenges the online platforms create for our democracies as regards the spreading of fake information and initiate a reflection on what would be needed at EU level to protect our citizens. EU First Vice-President Frans Timmermans said: "The freedom to receive and impart information and the pluralism of the media are enshrined in the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights. We live in an era where the flow of information and misinformation have become almost overwhelming. That is why we need to give our citizens the tools to identify fake news, improve trust online and manage the information they receive". EU Vice-President Andrus Ansip in charge of the completion of the Digital Single Market described fake news as a serious problem. At the same time he highlighted the need to protect freedom of speech and trust people's common sense. He also mentioned media literacy and quality journalism as vital tools to address the spread of fake news online. So, citizens, social media platforms, news organisations, broadcasters, print media, news agencies, online media and fact-checkers, researchers and public authorities are all urged to join forces and gather opinions on what actions could be taken at UN or EU level to give citizens effective tools to identify reliable and verified information and adapt to the challenges of the digital age. A former Editor-in-Chief of AFP and author of a set of new ethical guidelines for the AFP, Eric Wishart, said AFP as one of the three major international news agencies, has a long history of being the first to break historic news. Known in the journalism profession as the "wires", AFP, AP and Reuters trace their histories to the first half of the nineteenth century and have collectively announced the first news of countless events, thanks to their international networks and telegraphic styles that ensure fast delivery to clients. But that has all changed with the development of social media, which now often carry the first reports of breaking news events. News agencies have become as much news verifiers as news gatherers as they process the deluge of amateur eyewitness content uploaded online with this tide of amateur eyewitness "reporting" has come a tsunami of disinformation that at best can be harmless and amusing and at worst provoke communal violence, subvert democracy and ruin lives and careers. 12 In my opinion, the news agencies are in the best place to strengthen citizens access to reliable and verified information and prevent the spread of disinformation online. The news agencies offer a serious source of information that survived through decades and are bound to do the same in the years to come. What they need to do is to be flexible to face with success needs and challenges and continuously adapt themselves in the new era. At the same time, they have to find new ways of approaching the citizens directly and not only through their subscribers and clients. Listening to the previous speakers, I can agree that this Conference could lead to concrete decisions and actions. The ATA Conference could be the first step to lay the foundation for an open debate among us on this crucial issue. Let us establish an ad hoc committee to draft a document of guidelines on how to face fake news and how to coordinate action to tackle with this phenomenon in a unified way. I think, this could be the best contribution of this meeting. -----------------------------------------------
Anadolu Agency begun agency journalism training program for its personnel in capital Ankara. The three-month program for 54 participants was launched at the agency headquarters by Anadolu Agency News Academy, which was established under the framework of its 100th-year vision. The 488-hour program -- which will run through Jan. 25 -- was organized for the journalists who have completed the Young Talent Development Program (GYGP). The participants will receive basic journalism training first month, which will be followed by career training in December. The trainees will practice theoretic at the regional directorates in January. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mustafa Ozkaya, Anadolu Agency's Deputy Director General, said the participants are the new members of a big Anadolu Agency family. "I think that the deep-rooted Anadolu Agency tradition is more meaningful nowadays. Because we all witness a new world order," he stated. 4 Ozkaya also underlined that Turkey is a territory which possesses a large values of humanity, history and civilization. "So, we are talking about a geography that interests everyone," he added. Also speaking at the ceremony, Umit Sonmez, the News Academy coordinator, and Hayri Cetinkus, the vice coordinator, informed the trainees about the institution. Aysu Bicer, a trainee who studied in England as part of the GYGP, expressed joy and pride to be part of the journalism training program. "I think that Anadolu Agency will lead the changes in journalism with its training programs," she said. Tugcenur Yılmaz -- a diplomacy correspondent at the agency who was also a participant of GYGP -- said: "I can say that Anadolu Agency is a training center with its practical and theoretical courses." Firdevs Yuksel, an economy correspondent, said the agency training programs contributed to her goals in journalism. After honored with graduation certificates, the trainees will be assigned in various departments at the agency. Reporting by Ayse Sensoy Boztepe: Writing by Munira Abdelmenan Awel -------------------------
Turkey's Anadolu Agency and Chinese news agency Xinhua signed a cooperation agreement in capital Ankara on Thursday. Anadolu Agency's Deputy Director General and Editor-in-Chief Metin Mutanoglu and Xinhua News Agency's Vice President Yan Wenbin signed the deal in the headquarters of the first. The agreement covers news exchange between Anadolu Agency and Xinhua in Turkish, Chinese and English languages. -------------------------
Turkey's Anadolu Agency and Bosnia's Federal News Agency (FENA) have signed a cooperation agreement in Istanbul. Senol Kazanci, Anadolu Agency's director general and chairman, and Elmir Huremovic, FENA'S general manager, signed the deal on the sidelines of the 27th Association of the Balkan News Agencies - Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE) General Assembly and Conference. The agreement covers news exchanges between Anadolu Agency and FENA in English and sharing their experience with technical, editorial and vocational training. FENA was established by the government of the Federation of Bosnia Herzegovina in 2000. It publishes 250 reports every day in the official languages of the country as well as English. 5 Founded in 1920, Anadolu Agency is a well-established global news agency with operations in most major regions around the globe, including the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Asia-Pacific, and serves subscribers in more than 100 countries. For its subscribers, the agency produces news stories in 13 languages: Turkish, English, Arabic, BHS (Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian), Russian, Kurmanji, Sorani, Persian, French, Albanian, Macedonian, Indonesian, and Spanish. -------------------------
Grateful for Anadolu Agency's support and training opportunities, says General Manager of Bosnia's Federal News Agency (FENA), Elmir Huremovic By Talha Ozturk
SARAJEVO, Bosnia Herzegovina Bosnia's Federal News Agency (FENA) has praised its cooperation with Anadolu Agency. "Cooperation with Anadolu Agency is important for FENA. We are grateful for the support and the incredible training opportunities that Anadolu Agency offers to us," said General Manager Elmir Huremovic. "I believe that our cooperation will continue for many years. I can give the good news that we will sign a new agreement at the ABNA-SE [Association of the Balkan News Agencies] meeting to be hosted by Anadolu Agency on Nov. 17 in Istanbul," said Huremovic. He added that the Bosnian agency had taken important steps in the last two years. Huremovic pointed out that FENA became a member of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) as well as joining the ABNA-SE. "FENA also became the member of the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies in early October. FENA has reached an important position in the international arena. The international organizations that we are members of are the most important indicators of this," said Huremovic. FENA was established by the Government of the Federation of Bosnia Herzegovina in 2000. It publishes 250 reports every day in the official languages of the country and English. -----------------------------------------------
The 25th Bayeux-Calvados War Correspondents Prize event singled out two AFP photojournalists. Mahmud Hams received the first prize in the Photo category while Juan Barreto is awarded with the third prize. AFP's global news director Michle Lėridon spoke of her pride and expressed "her gratitude for the two photographers who, from Caracas to Gaza, portray the reality of their countries with courage, talent and professionalism, in conditions that are unfortunately too often dangerous." -------------------------
The News Agency of the Slovak Republic (TASR) has agreed to cooperate with Agence France-Presse (AFP). The agreement enables TASR to use the French agency's text service in the areas of general, economic and sports news. TASR will include AFP among news service sources for its clients as of November. "We work with high-quality sources. We view cooperation with the world's third biggest agency as further enriching our services. AFP offers a high-quality and rapid view of events in Europe, but it's also a global player. I find it important that the relationship is reciprocal, with AFP using TASR's export service in English," said TASR general director Vladimir Puchala. According to TASR editor-in-chief Marian Kolar, "AFP is known for its high-quality and fast general news service. Concerning sports news, it has very good coverage of, for example, European football, and it has a strong economic news service as well". -----------------------------------------------
Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA) has been the main provider of news for Greek and foreign media for over a century. It also features a large news and photo archive in Greek and English. It provides 24h information thus gaining a leading the role in the use of multimedia: texts, photos, infographics, videos (web tv), social media (Twitter, Facebook), smart TV and free applications for smartphones and tablets (iphone, ipad, Android, Windows). Meanwhile, technological progress and innovation have caused great changes highlighting the need for special expertise and knowhow in the labour market. Therefore the Athens-Macedonian News Agency has set up an educational department that will provide training seminars, both at theoretical and practical level, based on the news agency's long experience. The Athens-Macedonian News Agency envisions its role as a learning partner, contributing to the dissemination of knowledge and experience to 7 young and unemployed journalists, and encouraging lifelong learning amongst all agency employees. In this framework and in close cooperation with the Labor Force Employment Organization, we implement the first training program for the training of unemployed graduate journalists, the first phase of which has already been announced. For us, after 113 years of uninterrupted operation, it is something new, it is something that fits the slogan of the agency " to give the society what it offers us through the state budget so that we can really survive."The seminar is addressed to graduates of the three universities with journalistic faculties, the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, the Panteion University and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, as well as certified IEK, and offers specialized theoretical training and internships for three months and 6-hour work. We pay particular attention to the teaching of innovative applications, while within the framework of the seminar, we will make suggestions on specific topics from academic specialists, researchers and experienced media professionals. The seminar, with a total duration of 380 hours, will be held in two stages, at the premises of the Athens-Macedonian News Agency and OAED and will be attended by a total of 100 graduates, 70 in Athens and 30 in Thessaloniki. -----------------------------------------------
Today, fake news is no longer a phenomenon but a true communication strategy in the hands of a few people or groups which try to use the 'fourth power' for purposes often hostile, said the General Director of the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), Armela Krasniqi said at the opening of an international conference on the topic of "News Agencies vs. Fake News", organized in Tirana by the Albanian news agency. "Thanks to new technology, automation system and the possibility of sponsoring every content that appears on the social media, at present day the fake news are spread and are available in packages that circulate in the network", emphasized Krasniqi, adding that there are uncountable cases recorded in the past years of social unrest provoked or incited by fake news which can also provoke violence in everyday life. The situation is made more difficult, given that, according to EU statistics, approximately 65 pct of citizens use social networks as their first source of information, while trust in traditional media has plummeted to the lowest historical level. "In this new global environment of the media, no one is immune and no one has the chance to win in this war if one is alone', the ATA director emphasized. 8 She added her hope that in the coming days "through sharing personal experiences with one another and debating on ways how we can cope with this challenge, our agencies will be able to formulate a coordinated strategy carrying the ways to expand cooperation in this common battle against an invisible opponent". "It is our essential duty to encourage independent and professional journalism. The public needs more than ever reporters who will be able to penetrate into complex social, economic and political situations in the world today. It is our duty to focus on elite journalism without falling into the trap of the Internet's quick gains," the ATA director said in front of the delegations of some of the most important press agencies in Europe and the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama. In his turn, the head of the Albanian government underscored the need for prudent measures be taken in what regards the sanctions against calumny and fake news, in order to find a balance between the need for quality information that guarantees all human rights and liberties and, on the other hand, the necessity to not limit free speech. The news agencies do not produce information solely, but must analyse them and offer the people the truth, using artificial intelligence, said during the conference the General Director of the Polish Press Agency PAP, Wojciech Surmacz. He admitted that this is difficult, however, due to the financial problems and the lack of technology, but news agencies can overcome these inconveniences by organizing themselves and working together to fight against fake news and for the truth, because truth is what makes us feel free. In his turn, the director of the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform, Oleksander Kharchenko, noted that some fake news are sometimes hard to detect and as such represent an even greater threat, mentioning, in this context, among others, the Russian disinformation propaganda. The Director of the Greek press agency ANA-MPA, Michalis Psilos, put forth that fake news have existed forever and it is not easy for news consumers to discern between fact and fabrication. However, there are resources and techniques to separate them and this is an important objective for news agencies around the world, because fake news attacks the information system of society and raises doubts regarding the credibility of mass-media. The phenomenon of fake news is not a novelty, said the Director of the Macedonian Press Agency MIA, Marian Tanushevski, adding that press agencies should be the backbone of professional journalism. Fake news can take on many different forms and the fabricated content may affect the lives of citizens, can affect the functioning of political institution and may influence the democratic decision-making process, said the MIA director. -----------------------------------------------
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Also according to Mnica Garcia, LUSA's Commercial and Marketing Director, "it was our intention to maintain the Agency's graphic line, modernizing it in order to respond to the new graphic challenges of digital as well as new strategic and business challenges. This new image will be the support for the internationalization of the agency, and the support of our affirmation in the business market. In the end, we have changed our image but we have maintained our identity. " 13 We also invite you to see our rebranding logo reveal, available here: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6475803538231431168 -----------------------------------------------
Internet desk: Seminar on the mobilization of human resources Morocco's News Agency (MAP) organized a seminar for the benefit of the Agency's Internet Desk journalists under the theme "Mobilizing the Potential of the Internet Desk". This meeting is part of the MAP's policy to promote its human resources and improve the quality of its products. Speaking at the opening of the seminar, MAP Managing Director Khalil Hachimi Idrissi said that building capacity and the fight against the loss of skills are two important objectives. He also stressed the need to capitalize on the achievements in order to enable the Internet Desk to embody the modernization of the agency. For him, the rigor, reliability and credibility that the Agency
endorses must govern all activities bearing the "MAP brand", making the
needs of MAP customers the determining factor in the conception of all
services and products. -------------------------
The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) has launched the platform "maparchives.ma" dedicated to marketing its archives accumulated for almost six decades. Speaking on this occasion, MAP director general, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, said that these archives include all of the Agency's production, noting that it consists of nearly 3.9 million news stories, including one million digitized stories. The archives also include 47,500 pictures, 16,300 sound recordings, 10,500 videos and 4,500 computer graphics. The platform is the result of several years of reflection, meetings and piloting which made it possible to overcome the "challenge" of the archiving of MAP production, stressed Hachimi Idrissi. This website will provide a wealth of information for researchers, editorialists, journalists and academics, said Hachimi Idrissi, adding that a consultation station will initially be set up at the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco. This platform offers more than 3,900,000 items which will be marketed according to different means in order to meet all needs. 14 Payments can be made by bank cards via maroc telecommerce, by purchase of prepaid credits or by custom offer for institutional and major clients. -------------------------
The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) has launched its monthly broad-based magazine "BAB". The first issue of this new product for the month of July is now available in kiosks, with a print run of 5,000 copies and a distribution in Morocco and abroad. With its editorial staff present all over the world and covering the twelve regions of Morocco, MAP is offering a 132-page magazine rich in information and reports on national and international subjects to printed press enthusiasts. BAB is meant to be "an elegant, intelligent magazine - one that has a high intellectual and professional ambition- that takes the time to say things and facts, to tell them with a serene breath and a narration that accepts talent when it exists," says MAP managing director Khalil Hachimi Idrissi in his editorial of BAB magazine first issue.
The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN) and the Atlantic Federation of African News Agencies (FAAPA) have agreed to co-organize, in Barcelona, a Euro-African meeting of the media on the causes and origins of immigration. During a working session, held in July, at the headquarters of the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) in Rabat, between the Managing Director of MAP, Mr. Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, President of AMAN and President of the FAAPA, and the new UfM Secretary General, Mr. Nasser Kamel, the two sides underlined the importance of this Euro-African meeting, which will shed light on the causes of immigration and offer the opportunity for Mediterranean and African media to understand this phenomenon as well as its real causes. On this occasion, the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean affirmed the UfM's willingness to co-organize this Euro-African media meeting, the first of its kind with the two professional groups. For his part, Mr. Hachimi Idrissi stressed the need to involve journalists from both organizations to think very broadly about the issue of immigration and to share with them this Mediterranean vision. -------------------------
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Rabat between the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) and the Moroccan Holding Marita Group on the development of the International Media City (IMC) project. Inked by MAP managing director, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, and Marita Group head, Rahhal Boulgoute, this MoU will enable the implementation of the 15 IMC project, which will host the activities of media professionals by offering them high added value services. It also aims to establish a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), or a cooperation agreement, which will guide the work of both parties to this project. As part of this partnership, MAP will support this project through its advice, expertise, various studies, professional representation and decision-making assistance, while the Holding Company will support the Agency in its development by setting up and hosting its offices and services within the IMC, in order to offer the best services to the national and international media that will be hosted there. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Hachimi Idrissi gave an overview of MAP, its activities and various services, adding that the IMC project is meant to "install international standards in the press profession with a policy of openness and training of journalists". It is important to create a structure in Africa and the Arab world dedicated to the media that corresponds to international standards in this area, he said, highlighting the willingness to initiate a process of interaction with renowned expertise in favor of upgrading the Moroccan press. -------------------------
MAP organized a training seminar in Rabat for some 50 young executives of the agency under the theme "Young Leaders of MAP 21". Speaking at the seminar, MAP Managing Director Khalil Hachimi Idrissi said that the Agency aims to support its young leaders towards excellence, adding that "the goal of this seminar is to build on the loyalty of our young leaders and accompany them towards excellence". "The purpose of this meeting is to anchor MAP values among participants so as to speed up their integration into MAP 21 projects," he said. "What we all expect from this seminar is to go out with new skills, acquire new knowledge in relation to leadership, but also soft skills, that are likely to help you in your career and your journey at the MAP," he added. For their part, MAP's young managers have welcomed this initiative aimed at strengthening their sense of belonging to the agency, adding that this meeting is a source of motivation to accede to decision-making positions. The agency's training policy is set up in collaboration with the MAP Foundation. -------------------------
The Moroccan News Agency (MAP), which has embarked in the last few years on a new vision called "MAP 21", is striving for excellence for its young recruits, through making the integration and training of its human resources a priority in its strategic plan. In this regard, MAP organizes regular training seminars for its young leaders in order to reinforce the values and culture of the agency among 16 the beneficiaries so as to accelerate their adherence to its strategic project. These meetings are aimed at laying the foundations of an agency focused on the future and preparing the future generation that will commit to MAP's values as a leading media institution in its national, continental and international environment. Young recruits are called upon to commit to the values and goals of the Agency, to strive for excellence in their everyday motto and to carry out their work in a spirit of responsibility and integrity. This is the way to contribute, as much as possible, to the regional and international influence of MAP where skills are identified, the objectives are outlined and self-sacrifice is rewarded. MAP relies on its human capital to continue to enrich its products. -------------------------
MAP aims to become the number 1 in regional information in the Kingdom, said Managing Director of the Maghreb Arab Press Agency (MAP), Mr. Khalil Hachimi Idrissi. In a speech on the occasion of the 4th MAP regional seminar, held in Salė under the theme "For an evolving regional network of MAP", Mr. Hachimi Idrissi has set a goal for the 12 regional centers of MAP to reach one third of the total production of the Agency. He called for greater efforts to cover all regional and local information, including municipal council sessions, court trials, sports events and local civil society activities. The role of MAP, as a source of quality information, is all the more crucial at the regional level to face the proliferation of "fake news", said MAP Managing Director, welcoming, in this respect, the recent launch by the Agency of its first regional website "mapoujda.ma". This website will soon be followed by the launch of 11 other portals to cover all regions of the Kingdom, Mr. Hachimi Idrissi added. -------------------------
Managing Director of and President of the Atlantic Federation of African News Agencies (FAAPA), Mr. Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, received in Canberra, the "Africa Awards" prize in the category "international recognition" for the work done at the helm of MAP and its remarkable involvement in FAAPA as founder. "This award is a recognition of Mr. Hachimi Idrissi's exceptional career and his work at the helm of the Moroccan Press Agency and the Atlantic Federation of African News Agencies," said Charles A. Koker, coordinator of "Celebration of African Australians ", which organizes the "Africa Awards". He recalled the career of Mr. Hachimi Idrissi and his contribution in the Moroccan and African media, noting that the MAP is a leading agency at 17 the African level through its wide network that contributes to its influence abroad. Several Australians of African descent who have brilliantly distinguished themselves by their social, economic, political and community contribution in Australia were also awarded on this occasion. -------------------------
MAP Managing Director, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, held a series of meetings with Australian press officials. The interviews focused on opportunities to enter into new partnerships. The talks were meant to exchange with Australian professionals on how to achieve media cooperation, as part of MAP's strategy to strengthen its international presence. Mr. Hachimi Idrissi held two meetings with "The Australian", Australia's most widely read newspaper, and Fairfax Media Limited, which operates in the world of newspapers, magazines, radio and media. The talks focused on strengthening cooperation in the exchange of know-how and information.
Mapoujda.ma is the new regional information website that has just been launched by the Moroccan Press Agency (MAP) and is the first platform of a series of 12 websites that will gradually cover all regions of the Kingdom. This new digital portal is part of the Agency's strategy to strengthen its presence on the web and support the efforts of advanced regionalization. "mapoujda.ma" will be regularly fed to offer the general public a global and varied coverage of the news of this region in its various components. -------------------------
The Moroccan News Agency (MAP) and Rwanda News Agency (RNA) signed in Rabat a cooperation agreement to develop exchange of information and strengthen professional relations between the two agencies. Inked by Managing Director of MAP, Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, and RNA's Director, Andrė Gakwaya, this agreement will allow the mutual exploitation of news stories published in English by the two agencies, including multimedia products (pictures, audio clips, videos, computer graphics). The two parties also undertake to give each other priority in the case of news concerning events in Morocco or Rwanda, and to grant, as far as possible, facilities and assistance to correspondents of the two countries and their special envoys during their journalistic missions in both countries. 18 The agreement, which is renewable for one year, also provides for the exchange of visits by journalistic, technical and media executives from the two agencies. Gakwaya told MAP that this agreement will enable his agency to strengthen its cooperation relations and to exchange experiences with the Moroccan Agency. -------------------------
Moroccan rider Sami Cherkaoui won MAP's Show Jumping Prize (CSI 1 *, 1.30m) on October 12 at the Royal Equestrian and Tbourida Complex Dar Es-Salam in Rabat, as part of the second stage of the 9th edition of the international circuit Morocco Royal Tour (MRT), organized under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI. Riding "Quilvive De Cornu CH", Cherkaoui won the event, which took place in two stages with the participation of 59 riders (9 countries), achieving a flawless 25sec51 / 100th. He came ahead of Abdelkebir Ouddar (Brooklyn De Hus) and his daughter Soukaina Ouddar (Reading De Siena). The top-5 also includes Moroccans Ibrahim Adnan and Salaf Benkhraba. -------------------------
News directors and editors in chief of African news agencies have decided in Rabat to create the Forum of news directors of African news agencies. This structure was created following the end of the 1st Forum of news directors of African news agencies, held on 17-19 October, 2018, in Rabat under the theme "Newsroom Management Challenges." The forum of news Directors of African Atlantic News Agencies (FDI AAP), affiliated to the Atlantic Federation of African Press Agencies (FAAPA), aims to promote the exchange of experiences and data as well as the sharing of skills among its members in all areas of common interest, notably in the fields of information, training and multimedia. It will also organize thematic seminars and symposia under the leadership of FAAPA, and in partnership with African and international organizations and institutions and contribute to the development of information flow.
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During the General assembly held in Warsaw on Friday, September 21st, members of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) elected Mr Peter Kropsch, CEO of German news agency DPA, as new President of the organization, for a 2 year mandate. Also, Mr Alexandru Giboi, CEO of Romanian National News Agency AGERPRES, was elected Secretary 19 General of EANA, for a 3 year mandate. Mr Jiri Majstr, CEO of Czech news agency CTK, and Mr Michalis Psilos, CEO of Greek news agency ANA-MPA, were elected Board Members, joining Mr Clemens Pig, CEO of the Austrian APA, who is going to serve for another 2 years. After the elections, Mr Kropsch said: "I thank the outgoing president Jonas Eriksson from TT, Sweden, for his great work during his presidency since 2016. I am sure that I speak also for all EANA members when I thank the outgoing Secretary General Erik Nylen who has so wonderfully taken care of EANA during the past 17 years. For the next tenure there are many issues to be adressed by EANA. The fight for a fair copyright directive, the freedom of press and a sound transition of the news agency business will be definitely on top of the list." -----------------------------------------------
News agencies based in Balkans and SE Europe talk 'Peace and
Stability in Balkans: How can news agencies play positive role?' Anadolu Agency, Turkey's leading news agency, on Saturday hosted a gathering of southeastern European and Balkan news agencies in Istanbul. Senol Kazanci, Anadolu Agency's director general and chairman, made the opening speech to the 27th Association of the Balkan News Agencies - Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE) General Assembly and Conference, on "Peace and Stability in the Balkan Region: How can news agencies play a positive role?" Kazanci said that the main theme of this year's two-day conference is "Digital Media: What is next?" "The main aim of the conference is to review the latest technologies and trends in the digital world and to discuss the contribution [of those trends] to the media industry, especially news agencies," he added. "Experts will share their knowledge and expectations with us," he added. "The ABNA-SE was founded in order to develop cooperation between news agencies in the region and to help each other on peace, friendship, and security issues in the region," Kazanci said. 20 He said that one of the main problems of journalism in the region is seeing journalism as a way to serve various interest groups. "Anadolu Agency has changed this significantly," he said, "Our main priority in news has been transmitting accurate and truthful news to our subscribers." "With its news from the region, Anadolu Agency has always aimed to be a bridge between Balkan countries, Turkey, and the world," he said, adding that the agency "has made great contributions to spreading positive news." -------------------------
Founded in 1920, Anadolu Agency is a well-established global news agency with operations in most major regions around the globe, including the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Asia-Pacific, and serves subscribers in more than 100 countries. For its subscribers, the agency produces news stories in 13 languages: Turkish, English, Arabic, BHS (Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian), Russian, Kurmanji, Sorani, Persian, French, Albanian, Macedonian, Indonesian, and Spanish. Anadolu Agency took over the ABNA-SE presidency from the Athens-Macedonia News Agency (ANA-MPA). The ABNA-SE was founded in 1995 with the aim of developing fuller cooperation among news agencies of the region as well as helping to establish a climate of peace, friendship, security and cooperation in the Balkans, according to its website. Among the members of the ABNA-SE are AGERPRES (Bucharest), ANA-MPA (Athens), ANADOLU (Ankara), ATA (Tirana), BTA (Sofia), CNA (Nicosia), FENA (Sarajevo), HINA (Zagreb), MIA (Skopje), SRNA (Banja Luka), and TANJUG (Belgrade). 21 Anadolu crucial for promoting peace, coexistence
- ISTANBUL - Turkey's leading news agency is crucial for promoting coexistence between Greece and Turkey, the top official of a news agency from neighboring Greece said on Sunday. "Anadolu is a great news agency," Michalis Psilos, the head of Greece's Athens-Macedonia News Agency (ANA-MPA) and ABNA-SE Secretary General, told Anadolu Agency on the sidelines of a Balkan and southeast European news agencies meeting in Istanbul. Praising the agency for covering news in 13 languages, ABNA-SE Secretary General Psilos said: "This is very important, it is an international news agency, not only national." "So cooperation between Anadolu and the Athens-Macedonia News Agency will be crucial and will also be important to promote this coexistence between Greece and Turkey," he said. "Greece and Turkey have nothing to fear," he said. "Journalists must promote friendship, peace, and joint initiatives for this propose." "Anadolu and the Athens-Macedonia News Agency will have a lot of things to promote between countries, between our people and our nations," he added. Psilos decried the "fake-news century" we are living through now: "There's a lot of fake news on the Internet. People don't know what's real or what's rumor or what's false." He pointed to news agencies' role in giving accurate information and disseminating speedy, reliable news. Accurate news in a region with a troubled history like the Balkans is very important, he added, saying: "I think the role of news agencies in this direction is very crucial." Psilos was in Istanbul to attend the 27th Association of the Balkan News Agencies - Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE) General Assembly and Conference on Saturday and Sunday. He praised ABNA-SE for the importance of Balkan news agencies, calling them a "very important and crucial tool to promote peace and cooperation and friendship between our nations." 22 "The ABNA-SE, with the participation of the Anadolu Agency and Athens-Macedonia News Agency, will promote the idea of cooperation and peaceful coexistence in the Balkans and also promote a joint initiative for this respect," he said. "For us, it is very important to sit together," he said. On Sunday, Anadolu Agency took its one-year turn at the helm of the ABNA-SE from the Greek news agency at a ceremony in Istanbul. Psilos was elected by a unanimous vote as ABNA-SE secretary general during the general assembly on Sunday. The ABNA-SE was founded in 1995 with the aim of developing fuller cooperation among news agencies of the region as well as helping to establish a climate of peace, friendship, security and cooperation in the Balkans, according to its website. Among the members of the ABNA-SE are AGERPRES (Bucharest), ANA-MPA (Athens), ANADOLU (Ankara), ATA (Tirana), BTA (Sofia), CNA (Nicosia), FENA (Sarajevo), HINA (Zagreb), MIA (Skopje), SRNA (Banja Luka), and TANJUG (Belgrade). Founded in 1920, Anadolu Agency is a well-established global news agency with operations in most major regions around the globe, including the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Asia-Pacific, and serves subscribers in more than 100 countries. ------------------------- Traditional media should be made digital' In this era we can do very good journalism using digital tools,
Anadolu Agency's Metin Mutanoglu tells Istanbul meeting. (Anadolu Agency's deputy general manager Metin Mutanoglu) - ISTANBUL - We live in an era where we should transform our traditional media into a digital one, said a senior member of Turkey's leading Anadolu Agency on Saturday. In this new era, traditional media must go digital, or otherwise it will disappear, warned Metin Mutanoglu, deputy director general of Turkey's premier Anadolu Agency, at a panel discussion on traditional media in the digital age during the 27th Association of the Balkan News Agencies - Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE) General Assembly and Conference held in Istanbul. 23 "We are in a period in which we can do very good journalism by using digital media tools despite the media's digitization," Mutanoglu said. "It is very important to find the truth from amid garbage information and pass the truth on to the people," he added. Mutanoglu praised The Washington Post's coverage of last month's killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. The Post "published important stories especially in the first two or three weeks [after the killing], and these reports had a big impact on American policy [on the issue]," he said. "Although the U.S. administration made efforts to bring the incident to a close, they had to address the issue due to U.S. media pressure." Washington Post columnist Khashoggi was killed at the Saudi Consulate on Oct. 2 shortly after entering it. After weeks of denying knowledge of Khashoggi's fate, Saudi Arabia said he was killed during a botched rendition operation by rogue agents. The panel was moderated by Michalis Psilos, the head of Greece's Athens-Macedonia News Agency (ANA-MPA), and featured Elmir Huremovic, the general manager of Bosnia's Federal News Agency's (FENA); Serdar Karagoz of TRT International News Channel; and Armela Krasniqi, the general director of the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA). The second panel of the event, concerning new trends and technologies in digital media, was moderated by Yilmaz Yaman, Anadolu Agency's marketing and corporate communication director. Panelists included Yusuf Ozhan, the editor-in-chief of the Turk Media Digital Group, Ersin Celik, web editor of Yeni Safak daily, and Derrick Fountain, the head of digital products at TRT World. The third panel focused on the role of digital media during crises. Moderated by Fatih Er, the director of news and programs at TRT World, the panel included Zeina Khodr, senior correspondent of Al Jazeera, Mustafa Kartoglu, Ankara representative of Star daily, and Michalis Psilos, head of the Athens-Macedonia News Agency (ANA-MPA). The last panel focused on "Digital Transformation in News Agencies:
Anadolu Agency's Experience." Ural Yesil, Anadolu Agency's International
Operations Director moderated the discussion, and panelists included
Mustafa Fuat Er, the agency's new media editor-in-chief, Yakup Sivka,
its director of information and communication technologies, and Ahmet
Sel, visual news editor in chief. -----------------------------------------------
The Atlantic Federation of African Press Agencies (FAAPA) held its 4 th General Assembly between 20-21 December 2018, in Rabat, Morocco.The FAAPA assembly was attended by AMAN Secretary General Mr. George Penintaex who had been invited by FAAPA President and Director General of the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) Mr. Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, in 24 accordance with the cooperation agreement signed between AMAN and FAAPA. Minister of Culture and Communication Mr. Mohamed El Aaraj opened the two-day deliberations. The General Assembly was preceded by a seminar on the topic "Fact-checking, new niche for African news agencies". -----------------------------------------------
The Oceanian-Asian Alliance of News Agencies (OANA) -----------------------------------------------
The meeting's panels will cover topics such as "New Sources of Revenue", "Fake News", "Artificial Intelligence" and "Diversification". -----------------------------------------------
3rd MEETING OF ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISTS FROM NEWS AGENCIES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
13 & 14 November, 2018 Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean Barcelona - Spain
Speech by Mr. George Penintaex, Secretary General of the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN)
Dear friends and colleagues,
I am very glad to be back in Barcelona and the headquarters of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), this time for the 3rd Meeting of Environmental Journalists from News Agencies in the Mediterranean.
The Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN) accepted an invitation three years ago from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to support the network of environmental institutions and key media, and especially national news agencies in the Mediterranean. EFE news agency, a very active member-agency of AMAN, plays a vital role in this direction.
AMAN welcomes the fact that this meeting is hosted by UfM, a practical way of its strategy to support any initiative towards protecting the environment in the Mediterranean.
We congratulate UfM on its 10th foundation anniversary and IUCN on its 70th anniversary.
It is very important that these two institutions have joined forces to cope with many and various environmental problems, anxieties and challenges and to launch new initiatives and strategies with an aim to consolidate cooperation.
We welcome key experts from various institutions and journalists from Mediterranean news agencies dealing with environmental issues. They will address two main topics: energy transition and the circular economy for plastics.
The national news agencies play a vital role in public awareness and we have to mobilize them, thus contributing to the consolidation of the network.
But we have to take into account the fact that the Mediterranean is a mosaic of peoples, nationalities, religious, languages, cultures and mentalities. At the same time, we should not forget that there is a big gap between the North and the South on interests, approaches and policies. We take note that the European Union implements special policies on environmental issues and any member-state which does not meet the targets is being punished.
It is very good to issue declarations and joint statements on special issues of common interest. But what actually need, in my opinion, is to launch campaigns in each one of the Mediterranean countries, taking into account the very characteristics of each country and people.
We have to help each country to reach the minimum standards of protecting the environment. By this, we will reach the maximum of results in promoting ecological transition in the Mediterranean region.
With these thoughts, I wish every success in the two-day deliberations of environmental journalists from across the Mediterranean.
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AFP appointing new managing director
Ms Zein is a graduate of EDHEC Business School. She began her career as an auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers. In 2000 she joined Lagard re Active (print media, radio/TV, audiovisual production and digital pure players with sales of nearly Euro 1 billion) as administrative controller in charge of magazines. She became the group's chief financial officer in 2014 and is a member of its executive committee.AFP appointing new deputy global news director
Before becoming Montreal bureau chief in 2013, Marc Braibant was in charge of the design, development and deployment of the Iris editorial system for text. He was technical editor-in-chief between 2006 and 2011. He joined AFP in 1988 and has held various economics reporting positions and worked in the Toulouse bureau before taking over as economics coordinator in the Washington bureau. He was head of the economics department from 2001 to 2006. AFP photographer killed in Kabul
Shah Marai had worked for AFP since 1996, when he started as a driver and fixer. He later became a photographer, then head photographer. AFP said the agency has received many messages of sympathy and condolences paying tribute to Shah Marai, who leaves behind six children including a daughter born only a few weeks ago. EANA President, Jonas Eriksson, said that once again we have been reminded about what a horrible price there can be for covering the news. "This tragedy reminds us of the danger that our teams continually face on the ground and the essential role journalists play for democracy. Journalists were targeted by this attack. Our thoughts and our condolences go out to his family and the families of the other journalists killed," said AFP Chairman Fabrice Fries. "It is with extreme sorrow that we learned this morning of Shah Marai's death. After the death of Sardar Ahmad in 2014, the Kabul bureau has again been struck by tragedy. I wish to express my deep condolences to Shah Marai's family and to all of the team at the Kabul bureau. Shah Marai was a great photographer and a wonderful person. AFP of course offers all its support to his family", said AFP's Global News Director Mich le Lėridon."We can only honour the strength, the courage and the generosity of a photographer who covered often traumatising events with sensitivity and professionalism," she added. AFP expanding fact checking with Facebook
Canada, Indonesia and the Philippines will be added to existing collaboration in France, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico. The agency will produce fact-checking articles that will be made freely available via blogs. Some of these will be moved on AFP's wires. "The blogs, in English, Spanish and Portuguese are based on the current French-language Factuel, a site dedicated to verifying and debunking false information spread online", the agency said in a press release. "AFP journalists fact check potentially false content and provide the necessary context where it is lacking. The contract includes the verification of images, an area in which AFP has particular expertise." Under the agreement, AFP has full independence in choosing which content to verify. Links to its fact checks appear alongside original posts on Facebook. Some of the fact checks posted on the blog are also moved on AFP's text wire in a new format of stories with the attribute "FACTCHECK". ================================================================
Mr De Alessandri was born in Milan in 1959 and has a degree in economics from Milan's Bocconi University. After starting his career at Publitalia, he joined the RCS Media Group in 1989 as Marketing Director and he later became Deputy General Manager of Magazines. He moved to Cond ė Nast as Deputy General Manager and in 2003 he took on the role of Managing Director and General Manager of Gruner + Jahr / Mondadori. In 2005, he moved to Hachette Rusconi, taking up the same position there. In 2010 he moved to Mondadori's magazines as Chief Executive Officer for Radio and International Activities of the group.Between 2013 and 2018 he was a partner and MED Region board member at EY (Ernst & Young) and he held senior positions at media sector associations for ten years. ================================================================ ATA signs cooperation agreement with Greek news agency ANA
The agreement was signed by the general director of ATA Armela Krasniqi and the general director of ANA Michalis Psilos. ATA signs cooperation agreement with Bulgarian news agency BTA.
TANJUG News Agency Director visits ATA for first time
This was the first visit of Ms. Djukic to the ATA venues. Likewise, the heads of the two agencies discussed on exchange of news, videos and photos in different areas. ATA and TANJUG are two of the oldest agencies in the Balkan region and have developed a bilateral cooperation for many years and that will continue with joint projects in the future. ATA participates in EANA Spring Conference in Bucharest
The conference of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) was taking place for the first time in Bucharest, between 25-27 April, with the AGERPRES Romanian National News Agency being the co-organiser of the meeting. The theme of the conference in Bucharest called "News Agencies and Changing Markets Strategies for Developing New Content," was debated by over 40 directors, CEOs and editors-in-chief of the EANA member news agencies. ================================================================
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EFE - Journalist Fernando Garea named as Spanish news agency EFE's new president
Garea, who was born in Madrid in 1962, thus becomes EFE's 13th president, succeeding Jose Antonio Vera, who had been appointed in 2012. "I believe in a journalism that is critical and I have always tried to abide by this principle," he said. "If at the end of my mandate somebody feels annoyed, I would like it to be the powers that be who are upset with me and not the opposition," Garea told a parliamentary hearing. "I believe that is where the genuine essence of a public service media lies," he added. The international agency's new president had been put forward by the Spanish government and on Wednesday his candidacy was approved by all political groups in Parliament. Prior to his appointment, Garea had been deputy director of the online daily news service El Confidencial. During the hearings, Garea defended a journalism that was critical of ruling power and made a plea in defense of journalistic dignity. He also expressed his intention to rejuvenate EFE's newsroom staff. Apart from his time at El Confidencial, Garea had previously been a founding member of Spanish newspapers El Mundo and Publico, as well as being the parliamentary correspondent for leading newspaper El Pais. He had also worked in radio as a guest panelist at Cadena Ser and at Radio Nacional de Espa ňa, and also as a political pundit in mainstream TV channels such as Antena 3, Telecinco, Cuatro or CNN+ news programs.Garea's top priorities during his EFE mandate are to reinstate the agency's Editorial Board "as soon as possible," promote an "ambitious and updated" gender equality scheme that facilitates women's access to senior positions and to ensure a balance between family life and work. Garea's appointment became effective immediately after the approval of EFE's board. EFE/vmg/mrp/hh ================================================================
SANA launches monthly awards for excellence for editors and photographers
SANA holds training courses for university students
SANA participates in ICNA conference held in Pakistan
SANA assigns correspondent in China
================================================================
FAAPA - GENERAL ASSEMBLY Mr. Penintaex made the following address at the opening ceremony: "It is a great honour for me to once again attend your General Assembly and have the chance to address this gathering. I convey the best of the wishes of the Mediterranean Alliance of News Agencies (AMAN) for a successful meeting and a productive discussion about problems, concerns, needs and challenges facing the member agencies of the Atlantic Federation of African Press Agencies (FAAPA). I warmly congratulate MAP for hosting this gathering and for all initiatives taken by its President Mr. Khalil Hachimi Idrissi to form this professional Alliance aimed to find solutions to problems and difficulties facing the FAAPA members and chart a map-road in the direction of development and progress. Last year's promise to find a practical way towards this goal seems to acquire flesh and bones thanks to Mr. Idrissi's brilliant idea to approach the Union for the Mediterranean and its Director General Mr. Sijilmassi, a personal friend of Mr. Idrissi. A few days ago we visited Mr. Sijilmassi in Barcelona and had a fruitful discussion to organize a joint conference that will bring together representatives of all member-agencies from both Alliances, AMAN and FAAPA, at the level of CEO's, Directors General and Editors-in-Chief, one representative from each agency. The languages of the conference will be English and French. The Afro-Med Conference, as we will name it, is expected to take place in the week starting 16 April next year in Barcelona, where the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) is based. The Afro-Med Conference will coincide with the 10th Anniversary of UfM, an organization which deals with Mediterranean affairs on different topics and areas of cooperation among the Mediterranean countries. The Afro-Med Conference will focus on one crucial issue that concerns Africa and Europe with the Mediterranean Sea to constitute a water bridge between the two continents. "Migration: A challenge or an opportunity". This will the subject of the Afro-Med Conference that is expected to shed some light on the parameters of migration: peace, security, climate, clash of civilizations, religions, cultures, ways of life, racism, hatred, xenophobia. Migration: A bless or a curse, and for whom? Which are the sources that force people to look for a better life away from homes poverty, famine, civil wars? These are many questions that the Afro-Med Conference would deal with. Although the European countries give great emphasis on the problems created by migration and the European media make a big fuss, the real problems are far away. According to statistics by mid-2016 of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the top ten countries that had received refugees are:
So, how the media and, in our case, how the national news agencies, cover those stories, how they can contribute to the solution of problems emanated from migration instead of raising the flame of hatred, racism and xenophobia. Can we reach a common denominator on how to cover those stories? Hopefully, we will see you all in Barcelona in April 2018. Mr. Sijilmassi promised to find the necessary funds to accommodate us in Barcelona. AMAN is ready to examine any ideas of cooperation and joint projects and programmes with FAAPA to the benefit of all member agencies of the two Alliances. Once again, I want to express my sincere thanks to Mr. Idrissi and MAP for the excellent hospitality extended to all of us. I wish every success in your deliberations. ================================================================
"The opening of Turkey's official news agency's Skopje office in 2015 is a demonstration of sincere friendship and mutual support between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Turkey," he said. "I wish that you will
continue contributing to the enrichment of media services and setting an
example with your professionalism," he added.
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Athens News Agency president visits Anadolu
Agency -----------------------------------
Anadolu Agency
moves Middle East HQ to East Jerusalem
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Head of Yemen media center visits Anadolu Agency -----------------------------------
Mongolian media team visits Anadolu Agency
headquarters 28.11.2017 Kubra Chohan Ankara
================================================================ AFP published its code of ethics in Chinese. The code covers traditional journalistic values such as the importance of accuracy, balanced reporting and protection of sources along with guidelines on dealing with the challenges of the digital era including handling content uploaded to social networks, AFP said in a press release. The Editorial Standards and Best Practices have earlier been published in English, French, Spanish and Arabic. AFP's global news director Michele Leridon said: "The code sets out the universally accepted principles that distinguish responsible media from the purveyors of fake news and disinformation." Philippe Massonnet, AFP's Asia-Pacific director, said: "We believe that the AFP ethics guidelines will be useful for journalists, students and others involved in the media industry in China and other countries where Chinese is spoken." ----------------------------------- AFP in partner agreement with Italian LaPresse AFP announced a cooperation with Italian news agency LaPresse. "Beginning next year, the LaPresse news agency will be able to distribute a large part of AFP's production over the entire Italian territory. Those products include several "wires" with text stories translated into Italian, including economic and financial news as well as coverage of the EU", AFP said in a press release. "LaPresse will also provide some of its customers with AFP's news and photo archives service, the recipient of many prizes, as well as videos, in Italian, chosen within the constantly growing AFPTV output. Priority will go to content related to Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Middle East." "Finally, LaPresse will also be able to redistribute AFP's live worldwide video service. LaPresse will also be able to provide support for AFP's multimedia coverage of Italy", the press release said. The AFP release said LaPresse "provides more than 90 per cent of the Italian media market with its content.| It has bureaus in Milan, Rome and Turin, ----------------------------------- Myanmar reporter gets AFP's Kate Webb Award Reporter Mratt Kyaw Thu has been awarded the 2017 AFP Kate Webb prize for his coverage of ethnic strife in his native Myanmar. The prize, Euro 3 000, honours journalists working in perilous or difficult conditions in Asia, and is named after a crusading AFP reporter who died in 2007, after a career covering the world's trouble spots - including Afghanistan. "Mratt Kyaw Thu, 27, was recognized for a series of articles focused on ethnic and religious conflict in Myanmar's Shan and Rakhine states in 2016 - the latter a precursor to the exodus of nearly 650 000 Rohingya Muslims from Rakhine earlier this year", AFP said. "The stories were published in the weekly English-language news magazine "Frontier", which has established a reputation for independent reporting in a country where rights groups say media freedoms have worsened, despite the installation of a civilian-led government last year." "This award is recognition for me personally but also for the struggles of all Myanmar journalists, who are in a very difficult situation right now," Mratt Kyaw Thu said. "Friends are being arrested for doing their job. Myanmar journalists are being watched closely by the military and government - it's worse than before," he said. ----------------------------------- AFP announcing guidelines to improve presentation of women New guidelines on coverage of violence against women and increased use of women expert sources are among topics included in a set of initiatives launched by AFP's Global News Director Michele Leridon. The aim is to improve the way women are represented in the agency's content. To ensure that AFP content reflects social diversity is to be added to the agency's ethics charter, the document that outlines AFP's fundamental principles and ethical standards. "Another new item will concern the coverage of violence against women in various parts of the world, with special emphasis on ensuring that coverage respects the victims of such violence." The new stylebook, which is being finalised, will contain several sections relating to this topic. Clear rules will be established regarding the use of gender or gender-neutral forms in titles and occupations depending on the language, the coverage of domestic violence, the use of a broader range of sources - with a greater emphasis on women experts and analysts - and the need to exercise increased vigilance on social networks. The stylebook will also stipulate that descriptions of people's physical appearance and clothing, as well as references to their marital status, should not be applied only to women, AFP said in a press release. "To facilitate the implementation of these measures, a training session on coverage of crimes will be organised, with a section dealing specifically with violence against women. A half-day awareness session on how women are represented in the media and a round table discussion at AFP with prominent women (experts in various fields, elected officials, etc.) are also planned." "These measures should increase women's visibility, both quantitatively and qualitatively," said Ms Lėridon. ----------------------------------- AFP in EU high-level group against disinformation A Europe-wide expert group on combatting fake news has been appointed by the EU Commission and recently had its first meeting. Among members of The High-Level Group on Fake News and Online Disinformation are AFP's Grėgoire Lemarchand, Deputy Global Editor-in-Chief and Social Networks Editor and Reuters Institute Director of Research, Rasmus Kleis Nielsen. The group will present its recommendations before the spring. The task force comprises 39 members. They include representatives of civil society (Reporters Without Borders, Wikimedia); European news organisations (RTL, Mediaset, Sky News, among others); academics; and technology companies such as Facebook, Twitter and Google. ================================================================ ANSA launching Industry 4.0 website ANSA launched a specialised ANSA.it website "Industry 4.0" saying it will support Italian companies' digital innovation - http://www.ansa.it/industry_4_0/ "Created to support the intergovernmental platform and to promote digital culture, Industry 4.0 provides a dedicated multiplatform news flow, giving visibility to areas of excellence and "virtuous" companies, with international breath and visibility." "Industry 4.0 is structured with theme sections and interviews to highlight various aspects of Italian industry and its developments; innovation, multimedia language and communication ensure that cases and issues addressed have high impact visibility." ----------------------------------- ANSA has chosen Superdesk as its digital newsroom system, Sourcefabric said in a press release. "ANSA has chosen the Superdesk platform for its flexibility and API-centric structure, to support effectively the evolution of our editorial and business strategy. Superdesk handles production at scale, which is especially important in today's always-on news environment," Angelo Marrara, ANSA's Chief Technology Officer, was quoted in the release. "A modular, extensible approach to software tools is essential in the face of ongoing disruption in the media business," said Sava Tatić, Sourcefabric's Managing Director. "News organisations with this flexibility will be in a position to survive and thrive." ----------------------------------- ANSA signing international agreements ANSA announced agreements on cooperation with Chinese Xinhua and United Arab Emirates news agency WAM. ANSA said the agreements represent a further consolidation of the agency's internationalisation strategy in key geographic areas. ================================================================ CNA to acquire new management system The Cyprus News Agency
(CNA) has signed an agreement with the Athens Technology Center (ATC) to
install the newsasset agency platform The newsaset platform will support the Agency`s news management and distribution process as a whole, while at the same time streamlining all internal workflows. At the same time, through this collaboration, CNA will enjoy ATC's long-standing research and business expertise into the media industry, gaining access to high-level consulting services, state-of-the-art technology and trade alliances. Newsasset platform has also been selected by the News Agencies of Portugal, Poland, Russia, Tunisia and of other major publishing organizations. The platform also stood as the main back-end system used by the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency to address the 2004 Olympic Games challenge. CNA Director George Penintaex said "with the newsasset we have found an integrated platform capable of supporting all our activities so far, simplifying the production processes while at the same time providing us with opportunities for expansion and new commercial activity. We believe that this cooperation will cover not only the current needs of CNA, but will also strengthen the dominant role of the Cyprus Agency in the field of media in Cyprus." ATC General Manager Giannis Kliafas expressed satisfaction with signing this agreement, stating that "the new collaboration confirms ATC`s extensive experience in media industry, with specially designed content management and distribution solutions, which news agencies and publishing organizations of international prestige trust. " ----------------------------------- CNA hosts conference to address fake news Following the hosting of a Conference on "Fake News: Phenomenon of manipulation in the modern world" in November2017, in cooperation with the European Parliament Information Office in Cyprus and other Cypriot organisations, the Cyprus News Agency organised a meeting on which ways this phenomenon could be tackled with. The Athens Technology Center (ATC), an international software vendor, presented the "Truly Media" a collaborative tool that helps users evaluate the validity level of user generated content that is distributed and shared via various social networks. The CNA meeting was attended by key figures of the island's media industry, including representatives from the Union of Journalists, the Radio-Television Authority, the Press and Information Office, the media Complaints Commission, the Office for the Protection of Individual Data, the Cyprus Police, local universities and other organisations. "Truly Media" is the result of cooperation between the ATC, which coupled its extensive industry-related experiences with state-of-the-art content aggregation and analysis technology, along with Deutsche Welle's expertise in contemporary industry needs. The two companies joined forces in order to address the fake news phenomenon. The "Truly Media" was successfully implemented during the recent elections in Germany. "Truly Media" lets journalists verify information found in social media, in real time. They can select the most important items for their story, and verify each item individually completing a verification checklist with the help of integrated third-party verification tools. This can be done within a single newsroom, across different media companies, or together with individual journalist working anywhere in the world. ================================================================ UfM, AMAN set to promote cooperation on key issues in Mediterranean space
The Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies
(AMAN) and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) reaffirmed their
determination to promote cooperation on key issues in the Mediterranean
Space, notably migration. ================================================================ Courtesy visit: Hachimi Idrissi receives Russian ambassador
----------------------------------- MAP-EFE: Cooperation and synergies
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Cooperation:
Spanish Ambassador Pays A Courtesy Visit to MAP ----------------------------------- FAAPA Seminar's Graduation Ceremony
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----------------------------------- MAP-TV: Oriental Pole Unit Launched
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Anadolu Agency's fourth Istanbul Photo Awards contest start accepting applications today. Photography professionals may submit their works in 10 categories. Earlier, the contest consisted of single news, story news, single sports, story sports, single nature & environment, story nature & environment, single portrait and story portrait categories but in 2018, two new categories would be added, including single daily life and story daily life.
Applicaitons will be accepted untill 31 January 2018, via www.istanbulphotoawards.com http://aa.com.tr/en/corporate-news/istanbul-photo-awards-2018-application-dates-announced/952774 ================================================================
Turkey's Anadolu Agency opens Beijing office ================================================================
Anadolu Agency opens Malaysia
office ================================================================
Anadolu Agency launches
Spanish-language service ================================================================
Anadolu Agency launches service in Indonesian ================================================================
Istanbul Photo Awards is 'top-notch': Pulitzer winner ================================================================
2017 Istanbul Photo Awards exhibition opens in Moscow ================================================================
AFP Data is described as a new data-driven editorial ecosystem. The
project has three components: ================================================================
AFP, ANSA and dpa launching European Data News Hub ================================================================
AFP renewing Jiji agreement ================================================================
CNA launches Arabic service
"MAP Screen" information wall renewed ================================================================
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Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies Holds General Assembly in
Agadir ================================================================
MAP to Assume Chairmanship of Alliance of Mediterranean News
Agencies ================================================================
Cooperation: MAP and EFE Brought Moroccans and Spaniards Closer ================================================================
Press : Towards New Media Cooperation Prospects ================================================================
Agreement between MAP and AGV News/Il Velino
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Speech by Mr. George Penintaex, CNA
Director & AMAN Secretary General At the 2nd GA of
FAAPA Hold in Casablanca, 7-10 December 2016 Dear
President Allow me first to convey greetings from all over the Mediterranean and the national news agencies comprising the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN). MAP, our host of this gathering, is one of the founders of AMAN, back in 1991 in Tunis. MAP
plays a very important role in AMANȃs affairs, actively participating
in all activities in the Mediterranean. MAP successfully organized
twice the AMAN General Assembly, in Marrakech and in Tangier. Next
June MAP will play host to the third AMAN General Assembly, this time in
the seaside town of Agadir.
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Guide for journalists and environmental institutions about the environment in the Mediterranean, published by the IUCN (Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation) and Agencia EFE, with the participation of AMAN Members.
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AMAN is Now On Twitter , It can be found By Searching
AMAN_alliance -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 September 2016 Directors General of AMAN Member Agencies and Observers Dear Colleagues, Following the General Assembly decisions,regarding the AMAN mobile application, I would like to inform you that the App for AMAN is now available, as I have been informed by the AMAN webmaster Mr. Roger Seeman. For IPhone it can be found on Apple Store; under Samsung and all Smart phones that work in Android System and it can be found in Google store. In both stores the APP will be found by searching for: ȃAMAN or Alliance of Mediterranean News Agenciesȃ.
In case you need any help or clarification you may address to Mr. Semaan as follows:
Ø
Tel: 00
961 3 437 989 Best regards,
George
Penintaex --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Urgent The Mediterranean Alliance of News Agencies (AMAN), congratulate Mr. Sidi Mohamed Ould Bouna dit El Moudir on the assumption of his new duties as AMI Director General -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Federation of African Press
Agencies (FAAPA) newly-founded AMAN Secretary General Secretary General Mr.George Penintaex represented Alliance of Mediterranean News Agency in the First General Assembly of the newly-founded Atlantic Federation of African Press Agencies (FAAPA) that been hold in Rabat.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- AMAN urges Serbian Government to reverse decision of TANJUGȃs closure
The Mediterranean Alliance of News Agencies (AMAN) expresses its opposition to the closure of the Public Enterprise News Agency Tanjug and strongly urges the government of Serbia to reverse its decision to discontinue Tanjugȃs operations. The decision has shocked AMAN member-agencies as Tanjug had been one of the most active agencies in the Mediterranean Alliance, as well as in other news agency alliances. AMAN expresses its solidarity with Tanjugȃs Director Branka Djukic and staff, hoping that the government of Serbia will make second thoughts and find solutions aimed to keep this historic news agency alive, as an independent news provider for media at home and abroad.
STATEMENT BY AMAN BOARD IN SOLIDARITY
WITH CHARLIE HEBDO
|
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ANADOLU AJANSI - AA
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE - AFP
AGENCE MAURITANIENNE D'INFORMATION - AMI
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY/ MACEDONIAN NEWS AGENCY - ANA / MPA
AGENZIA NAZIONALE STAMPA ASSOCIATA
ALGERIE PRESSE SERVICE - APS
ALBANIAN TELEGRAPHIC AGENCY - ATA
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY - CNA
AGENCIA EFE,S.A. - EFE
FEDERAL NEWS AGENCY - FENA
CROATIAN NEW AGENCY - HINA
LIBYAN NEW AGENCY - LANA
AGÊNCIA DE NOTÍCIAS DE PORTUGAL,SA - LUSA
AGENCE MAROCAINE DE PRESSE - MAP
MIDDLE EAST NEWS AGENCY - MENA
NATIONAL NEWS AGENCY - NNA
SLOVENIAN PRESS AGENCY - STA
SYRIAN ARAB NEWS AGENCY - SANA
TANJUG TACNO - TANJUG
PALESTINIAN NEWS & INFO AGENCY - WAFA
FEDERATION OF ARAB NEWS AGENCY - FANA>
INTERNATIONAL PRESS SERVICE -IPS
ORGANIZATION OF ASIAN -PACIFIC NEWS AGENCIES - OANA
EUROPEAN ALLIANCE OF NEWS AGENCIES - EANA
ASSOCIATION OF BALKAN NEWS AGENCIES - ABNA
FEDERATION ATLANTIQUE DES AGENCES DE PRESSE AFRICAINES - FAAPA
Mr.
Rachid Tijani
HATAY
(ANSA)
- ROME, FEB 24 - ANSA has signed a new partnership deal with Mauritania
agency AMI as it expands its international collaboration network after
similar recent deals with Dutch agency ANP, India's PTI, Argentina's
TELAM, Uruguay's Uypress, Filipino press agency PNA, Tanjug of Serbia,
Moldovan agency Moldpres and Vietnamese agency VTA. 
ANKARA
ANKARA
ANKARA
APS -
TUNIS-The Minister of Communication, Mohamed Bouslimani highlighted Saturday the
importance of establishing a comprehensive and unified concept within the
framework of joint Arab cooperation to fight against the digital hegemony of
media tenors and protect the interests of Arab countries, as well as the values
and principles of their societies. 
Handan Kazanci, Seda Sevencan and Riyaz ul Khaliq | 20.10.2022 
"We face a collective enemy that affects us all
regardless of our difference: environment and climate crisis," Karagoz said. "It is not a likely problem that will affect our future, indeed, it is deeply affecting our time."
ISTANBUL 
ZURICH 
Haydar Sahin | 26.10.2022
Aykut Karadag | 08.10.2022
APS 10-13-2022 ALGIERS-The Minister of Communication, Mohamed Bouslimani
highlighted Wednesday in Algiers the imperative to develop the capacities of the
Arab media system so that it transmits its message at the regional and
international levels, underlining the importance of the media in the defense of
Arab causes. 
APS 10-22-2022 ALGIERS- Minister of Communication Mohamed Bouslimani on
Saturday said the State has been working for the promotion of a favourable
professional environment for the media corporation to be able to contribute to
enhancing the positive role of Algeria, under the leadership of the president of
the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, stressing that this role "has been commended
at both regional and international levels." 
APS 01-13-2022 ALGIERS-The Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Algeria,
Ilija Zelalic paid Thursday a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Algeria
Press Service (APS) news agency where he was received by Director General, Gaid
Samir. 
Cyprus News Agency (CNA) and Athens Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA) renewed
their strategic partnership on Tuesday at a special ceremony in Athens. 
Anadolu
Agency's Deputy Director General and Editor-in-Chief Yusuf Ozhan presented the
agency's Environment Platform on Thursday at the 31st Conference of the MINDS,
the International Association of News Agencies. 
as
part of the forum, aiming to increase social awareness by improving
environmental communication in the media. 
Graduated
in Political Sociology from the University of Oran, he was a journalist at the
public newspaper En-Nasr since 2000, regional bureau chief of the same newspaper
from 2002 to May 31, 2008 until he joined the APS Agency in June 2008. For the
next 13 years, he focused on society and politics. 
TIRANA,
July 7/ATA/ Armela Krasniqi was elected on Wednesday the head of the Audiovisual
Media Authority-AMA. 
Mrs.
Valbona Zhupa is the new Director General at the Albanian Telegraphic Agency
(ATA), while during 2013-2016 period she was Deputy Director at this agency.
Also during 2015-2016 she was Head of News at Albanian Public Television. Zhupa
has graduated in Albanian Language and Literature from Tirana University in
2000. During 2001-2011 she worked as the director of the Press
Office/Directorate of Public Relations at Municipality of Tirana. From Nov 2016
till July 2021 Valbona Zhupa has worked as the Editor-in-Chief at the Albanian
Radio and Television (RTSH) and was the producer of the distinguished
documentary series "My City". 
Mr.
Carreira has a degree in Economics and Management, with an Executive Master in
Strategic Marketing from Catlica Lisbon School of Business & Economics. 
The
handover of the board of directors helm and director general duties was made
during Anadolu Agency's regular annual meeting at its headquarters in the
capital Ankara. 
It
provides news in real-time to 6,000 media outlets across 100 countries with a
daily average of 2,000 stories, 2,350 photos, 9 infographics, 435 videos and 18
live broadcasts. 
ANKARA
David
Millikin
Spain's
Xavier Aldekoa was awarded Tuesday the 3rd Saliou Traore Award for journalism in
Spanish-language from Africa for an article on childhood in the continent. 
Volleyball
court made of tires by Fecri Barlik took the first place in the sports category.
The
results of the voting can be reached at aa.com.tr/photooftheyear. 
ISTANBUL
ANKARA
Prior
to Buenos Aires, 
February
11th, 2021 
Letter
to AMAN members by George Penintaex on the occasion of his retirement from the
post of CNA Director. 
A
multimedia team of text, photo and
Dear
colleagues from AMAN, 
AMAN
Secretary, CNA Director, Mr. George Penintaex, wishes all AMAN colleagues a
healthy, peaceful and prosperous
2021. 
ANKARA
ISTANBUL 
Due
to the novel coronavirus, the jury session evaluated the submitted works and
determined the winning photos on the Anadolu Agency's special online platform.
With
a degree in information sciences from the Complutense University in Madrid,
PARIS
ANKARA
ANKARA
ISTANBUL
ANKARA
ANKARA
ANKARA
ISTANBUL
Anadolu
Agency's (AA) deputy chairman of the board, Muhammet Salih Demirkan (C), AA's
Deputy Director General, Mustafa Ozkaya (R), Turkish Ambassador to Tokyo, Hasan
Murat Mercan (L), Jiji Press Photo President, Taisei Ogawa (2nd L) and Kyodo
News Executive director Sugita Hiroki (2nd R) cut the ribbon at the opening of
the Istanbul Photo Awards 2019 exhibition at the Ankara-based Yunus Emre
Institute's building in Tokyo, Japan on November 19, 2019. Anadolu Agency
organized the fifth Istanbul Photo Awards exhibition this year in Tokyo as well
as the first one held abroad. (David Mareuil - Anadolu Agency) 
"It
is proud and exciting for all of my colleagues to see that the competition has a
greater impact every year around the world," said Mustafa Ozkaya, Anadolu
Agency's deputy director general, referring to the beginning of submissions for
the 2020 event. 
Ozkaya
thanked Turkey's national flag carrier Turkish Airlines (THY) and Turkish
Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) for assuming the official sponsorship
of the contest as well as Yunus Emre Institute for hosting it. 
Berk
Ozkan and Zuhal Demirci | 18.07.2019 
Michalis
Psilos, head of the Athens-Macedonia News Agency (ANA-MPA) speaks to
media as he attends the 27th Association of the Balkan News Agencies -
Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE) General Assembly on November 18, 2018 in
Istanbul, Turkey. 
Stefano
De Alessandri has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and General
Manager of ANSA. He is succeeding Giuseppe Cerbone who has left the
agency to be CEO of Il Sole 24ORE Group. 
SANA
launched the monthly internal award of Excellent Journalist and
Photographer for its editors and photographers, with the goal of
improving the professional level of drafting reports and taking photos.
ANKARA
Managing
Director of Morocco's news agency (MAP), Khalil Hachimi Idrissi,
received, on November 20, 2017 at the Agency's headquarters, Russia's
ambassador to Morocco, Valery Vorobiev. This courtesy visit was an
opportunity to highlight the exemplary relationship between MAP and
ITAR-TASS, one of the leading news agencies in Russia renamed TASS since
2014.
A
graduation ceremony for FAAPA computer scientists who participated in
the training seminar on the digital transformation of African news
agencies was held on October 13th, 2017, in Rabat.
Managing
Director of the Moroccan News Agency (MAP), Khalil Hachimi Idrissi,
launched, on October 24, 2017, in Oujda, the MAP-TV production unit of
the Oriental regional pole, thereby reaffirming the multimedia
commitment of the agency, a leading national media actor, through its
clear and well-defined strategy that draws the outlines of a 21st
century news agency.
In
the fourth year of the contest, the $3,000 "Young Photographer" award
will be given to a winner under the age of 28; a separate $10,000 award
will be given to the Single News 1st prize winner of the
"Photo of the Year" award; winners in each other categories will be
given $8,000 for first prize, $5,000 for the second and $3,000 for the
third. The results of the contest will be announced by the end of March
next year.
KUALA
LUMPUR - Anadolu Agency on Saturday opened its office in Malaysian
capital Kuala Lumpur in line with its goal of becoming one of the
world's most influential news agencies.
BOGOTA,
Colombia - Anadolu Agency (AA) officially launched its 13th
broadcast-language service -- Spanish -- in a ceremony attended by
Colombian Deputy Foreign Minister Patti Londono Jaramillo in Bogota.
JAKARTA
- In a landmark expansion in the Asia-Pacific region, Anadolu Agency
launched a news service in Indonesian and opened its Pacific Central
Office in Jakarta on Monday.
NEW YORK
- Anadolu Agency's international photograph competition is a world class
international contest, according to an award-winning senior New York
Times photojournalist.
ANKARA
- Anadolu Agency opened the sixth exhibition of photographs from its
2017 Istanbul Photo Awards on Thursday in Moscow.
AMAN
is now on Twitter
