Anadolu Agency's war journalism training hosts 14 African journalists

By Mehmt Sah Yilmaz

ANKARA (AA) - Anadolu Agency's 21st War Journalism Training Program continues with the participation of 22 journalists, including 14 from Africa, in the Turkish capital Ankara.

While eight reporters are from Anadolu Agency's local and foreign news desks, others have joined from Kenya, Niger, Guinea, Sudan, Ethiopia, Libya, Chad, and Somalia.

The 12-day program aims at training journalists to work in war, disaster, and emergency situations. The course has been designed in cooperation with Türkiye's state aid agency Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), and the Turkish Police Academy.

For Chadian journalist Mariam Issa Krebis, the training so far has been a totally "different experience."

Although she found the part of dealing with tear gas and water cannon a bit tough, she described it as "useful and important" and is glad to have been a part of the program.

"It will have a big effect on my life. The training is so realistic. It will reflect on my work. It is good for us as a journalist," she said.

Hassan Mugambi, who covers crime and security in Kenya, said the training on responding to chaos such as tear gas shelling during demonstrations is "tremendously important and very helpful."

He said he encountered such incidents many times in his home country, and did not know how to react. But thanks to the training, he would be able to cover protests safely.

"The most difficult part was when they released tear gas on us," he said, adding that he learned a lot both "theoretically and practically," and will share the experience as well as tips with his colleagues.

Yahaya Souleymane from Niger, who is interested in defense and security, said the training was practical, and found the CPR training, a lifesaving technique in emergencies such as a heart attack or near drowning, extremely useful.

He said Niger is exposed to attacks by terrorist organizations and he often travels to war zones with security forces, and therefore the training will help him in his work.