Anadolu Agency's 17th war journalism program kicks off

By Nazli Yuzbasioglu

ANKARA (AA) - The 17th war journalism training program by Anadolu Agency, Turkey’s premier news agency, began on Monday in the capital Ankara under the supervision of the agency’s news academy.

The academy will train correspondents in collaboration with the Turkish Police Academy, Turkish Armed Forces, and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the state development aid agency.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ugur Tanyeli, TIKA’s head of Foreign Relations and Partnerships Department, underlined that TIKA places great importance on the war journalism training program.

“Especially during the war in Syria, we saw that a photo and an image can change the world,” he said.

Cihangir Isbilir, the manager of Anadolu Agency’s News Academy, said the training’s scope and quality makes it unique in the world.

Stressing that they recently updated the training courses in line with recent changes in journalism, Isbilir added: “Lectures about the next generation terrorist group FETO will be given during the training.”

The 12-day program aims to train reporters from around the globe on how to operate and get out the news under dangerous circumstances.

Taking the program this time around are 23 reporters from far-flung locales such as Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ukraine, Croatia, Syria, Colombia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Algeria, Palestine, Jordan, the Philippines, and Pakistan.

The participants will be trained in English in such subjects as first aid, natural disasters, riots, bulletproof equipment, explosives, mines, night camps, vehicle safety, and advanced driving techniques.

The lessons will be taught by expert academics and professional security personnel, and real ammunition will be used during the program so the reporters learn through authentic experiences.

Over two dozen separate lessons will be included in the 12-day program.

Those who successfully complete the program will be awarded with internationally recognized certificates.