TIRANA, November 11/ATA/ General Director of the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Valbona Zhupa presented today to the members of the Parliamentary Committee for Education and Means of Public Information, Media, the draft budget of the institution for the year 2025 which carries also a request for an additional 15 million ALL for the first phase of inventory and conservation of the archive of the institution.
Speaking about the work of ATA, Zhupa said that, "ATA has an objective, realistic and original approach to the news and current affairs in Albania and abroad that stems as a result of impartial reporting with integrity, an important standard in journalism which aims to provide confirmed and balanced news".
"The promotion of unbiased reporting has strengthened the credibility and elevated the reputation of the Agency, as a reliable source of news for the Albanian and international public. By cooperating with an important network of at least 50 official agencies and international partners, ATA spreads at present information from all over the country and the world, receiving and sending daily news in Albanian, English and French. I would like to highlight the fact that on the official website of ATA, there are published about 200 news items per day. This is not a modest figure, added to the fact that all are confirmed news, reliable and impartial. The source is always official", Zhupa emphasized.
ATA’s Director also spoke about the fight against disinformation.
"We have fought against disinformation, which means we have a commitment to provide accurate information to the public. Therefore, ATA in its daily work does confirm the facts and on the other hand helps to educate the public on the significance of reliable sources. We do also identify and correct false information that spreads in the media and social networks and also cooperate with other news organizations and international agencies by sharing the best practices to combat disinformation on a global scale", said Zhupa.
General Director of the ATA asked the Committee for an inter-institutional cooperation for digitizing the archive of ATA.
Zhupa explained that, "The digitization of the archive is a process with several stages; it requires inventory, categorization and conservation. There you can find black and white films which require a certain place and temperature to be stored. If the materials are stored properly, you can multiply them as many times as you want. The actual place is not adequate at all. To preserve the archive means to take the most important step".
"Therefore, we have asked for an additional 15 million ALL as a start, at least to preserve the archive, so that it is in optimal conditions, the materials do not deteriorate because of moisture and mold", said Zhupa.
Director Zhupa also said to the Committee members that she has decided to produce a calendar for them and the public with some interesting photos from the archive.
"I want you to understand how beautiful and significant the ATA archive is, how much value it has," she said.
Also, Valbona Zhupa requested the support of the Committee for Education and Public Information for the drafting and approval of a new legal framework "On the creation, organization and operation of the Albanian Telegraphic Agency" as it still operates according to Decree No 1960, dated 9.11.1954 approved by the then chairman of the presidium of the People's Assembly Haxhi Lleshi.
"I say that the drafting of this law will be an invaluable help to us. The drafting and approval of this law will bring a qualitative step that will contribute to the elevation of ATA as a key institution for public information and the promotion of the image of Albania", concluded the General Director of ATA Valbona Zhupa.
