The "Visual Journalism Interaction Program," organised for Libyan journalists by the Directorate of Communications and Anadolu Agency (AA), has started at the AA Workshop.
Libyan journalists participating in the program held at the AA Workshop at AA Headquarters will receive training from their colleagues who have gained experience in the field.
In her opening speech, Zeynep Bayramoğlu Öztürk, Director of AA Academy, expressed her pleasure in hosting the journalists for whom they have prepared a special training program.
Highlighting that AA continues its journey under the motto “Heralding a Changing World,” Öztürk emphasised that AA is one of Türkiye's largest brands on the international stage. She added, “We operate in 144 countries with 39 offices and broadcasting centres. Anadolu Agency, which has subscribers in 76 countries, broadcasts in 13 languages. In 2023 alone, the Anadolu Agency produced 2.1 million pieces of content. Our agency, with its extensive global network, produces an average of 1,368 news stories daily.”
Öztürk noted that AA, in line with its editorial policies and principles, launched the Environmental Editorial in 2022 to raise societal awareness about environmental issues. She also pointed out the establishment of the Discrimination Line to highlight all forms of discrimination worldwide and the Fact-Check Line to combat misleading content and info-pollution. These initiatives reflect AA’s commitment to expanding its digital journalism network.
Furthermore, Öztürk drew attention to the "Anadolu Images" portal, which has provided access to AA’s photographs and videos to subscribers since 2014.
Underscoring that the AA Academy provides practical and systematic training for journalists to adapt to developments in the media and new platforms and technologies, Öztürk said that in 2023, 1413 in-house journalists and 170 visiting journalists received training on various subjects.
Öztürk stated that AA's most prestigious and world-class War Journalism Training aims to train reporters for reporting in challenging environments, such as war, disaster and extraordinary situations, and continued as follows:
"Among these trainings, war journalism holds a unique and distinct position. War Journalism Training has been organised since 2012 in collaboration with the AA Academy, Police Academy, AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency) and Turkish Armed Forces. A grand total of 558 individuals have taken part in the 25 trainings conducted thus far. A significant portion of the training, specifically 62 hours out of the total 108-hour duration over a span of 12 days, was dedicated to hands-on learning."
Highlighting the fact that 9 Libyan journalists have already undergone training at the AA Academy, Öztürk said, "We continue to welcome our colleagues from all over the world and brotherly geographies."
Öztürk pointed out that the interaction program will be held in cooperation with AA Academy and the Presidency's Directorate of Communications and said, "You will receive specialised trainings that will facilitate your professional life from Türkiye's most experienced and successful figures."
AA Photojournalist Harun Özalp and AA Chief Cameraman Alper Sıtkı Ersoy will be offering courses on "Official Photography" and "Official Video" to Libyan journalists. Journalists from Libya who complete the training will be awarded certificates. They will also have the opportunity to take part in a cultural sight-seeing programme.
The "Visual Journalism Interaction Program" will end on August 28.
