Anadolu Agency launches 15th war journalism program

By Mehmet Alaca

ANKARA (AA) - Anadolu Agency on Monday started its 15th war journalism program with an aim to raise reporters’ ability to operate in war zones and under extraordinary conditions.

The training program is held in coordination with the Turkish Police Academy and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

Mustafa Hasim Polat, the coordinator of TIKA’s training projects, said the war journalism training would help reporters save lives in war-prone regions.

“A news story or a photo taken by a journalist might sometimes trigger a war or put an end [to war], Polat said.

Cihangir Isbilir, director of Anadolu Agency News Academy, said 21 journalists from 11 countries would take part in the training program, adding a total of 350 journalists have so far taken part in the program.

“Wars and conflicts transform. Therefore, it is necessary to transform these training depending on newly emerging clashes, natural disasters, uprisings and wars,” Isbilir said.

He went on to say that the 12-day-long program would include practical training and involve experts on war and counter-terrorism, adding Turkey’s Security Directorate General, Turkish Armed Forces, and Disaster Management Agency (AFAD) would provide full assistance to the program.

The training program, which also included Arabic language for the first time, will continue till Aug. 2. At the end of the program, the participants will have improved skills in journalism, personal security, war law, first aid, map-reading, survival, media management in extraordinary conditions, self-defense, technology and others.

Those who succeed in completing the program -- composed of a total of 108 hours of training -- will be awarded with internationally recognized certificates.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas