Historic Medal at Paris 2024

The Classical Bow Men’s National Team, which made history by winning a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, visited AA. Mete Gazoz, Ulaş Berkim Tümer, and Muhammed Abdullah Yıldırmış, who secured Turkey’s first-ever Olympic medal in team sports, were welcomed by AA General Manager Serdar Karagöz and AA Deputy General Manager Yusuf Özhan.

The visit was also attended by the President of the Turkish Archery Federation, Abdullah Topaloğlu, and the National Archery Teams’ Head Coach, Göktuğ Ergin. During the reception held at AAtölye, the national athletes’ historic achievement and their Olympic journey were discussed.

AA General Manager Karagöz: “We Are Proud”

AA General Manager Serdar Karagöz expressed his pride in the national athletes. Highlighting the cultural and social significance of sports, Karagöz engaged in a pleasant conversation about the Olympic Games and the sport of archery.

Speaking at the visit, the President of the Turkish Archery Federation, Abdullah Topaloğlu, extended his gratitude to AA for its support of the archery discipline.

Meaningful Exchange of Gifts

At the end of the visit, Serdar Karagöz presented the national athletes with the AA 1923 Yearbook. In return, Turkish Archery Federation President Abdullah Topaloğlu, National Team Coach Göktuğ Ergin, and the national athletes gifted Karagöz a signed national team jersey.

By securing this historic medal, the Classical Bow Men’s National Team has made a significant contribution to the development of Turkish archery and has proudly represented Turkey on the international stage.

AA is taking a significant step to support the development of the journalism sector, ensure the protection of ethical values, and encourage the production of reliable and quality content. As one of Turkey’s leading media organizations, AA aims to reward the most successful works in the industry through the first-ever AA News Awards competition.

Scope of the Competition and Application Dates

The competition will evaluate news articles published in the national press between January 1 and December 31, 2024. Awards will be granted to projects that demonstrate excellence in traditional journalism as well as those that apply digital media and modern journalism techniques with an innovative vision. Applications will be accepted between February 1-28 through the “www.aahaberodulleri.com” website.

Award Categories

The AA News Awards Competition will feature 3 main categories and 8 awards. The awards are as follows:

• Grand Prize Category: News of the Year Award
• Media Awards Category:
  • Best Print Media News Award
  • Best Television News Award
  • Best New Media News Award
• Jury Special Awards Category:
  • TDK Special Award for Turkish Language Use in News
  • Halide Edib Special Award for Women Journalists
  • Citizen Journalism Special Award
  • Special Award for Use of Artificial Intelligence in Media

Jury and Evaluation Process

The evaluation process will be carried out by the main jury, chaired by AA’s General Publication Director and Deputy General Manager Yusuf Özhan. The jury members include Sabah Newspaper Writer Yavuz Donat, Milliyet Newspaper General Publication Director Özay Şendir, Hürriyet Newspaper Ankara Representative Hande Fırat, Star Newspaper Ankara Representative Fadime Özkan, and Ankara University Faculty of Communication Dean Prof. Dr. Fatih Keskin. The winners, determined by the main jury, will be announced in a high-profile ceremony and will receive their awards.

Award Amounts

The award amounts are as follows:

• News of the Year Award: 150,000 Turkish Lira
• Best Print Media News Award: 100,000 Turkish Lira
• Best Television News Award: 100,000 Turkish Lira
• Best New Media News Award: 100,000 Turkish Lira
• TDK Special Award for Turkish Language Use in News: 80,000 Turkish Lira
• Halide Edib Special Award for Women Journalists: 80,000 Turkish Lira
• Citizen Journalism Special Award: 80,000 Turkish Lira
• Special Award for Use of Artificial Intelligence in Media: 80,000 Turkish Lira

Guatemala’s Ambassador to Ankara, Eduardo Enrique Hernandez Recinos, visited AA. During the visit, Recinos met with Serdar Karagöz, the Chairman of the Board and Director General of AA, and Yusuf Özhan, the Deputy Director General and Editor-in-Chief of AA, at the agency’s headquarters.

AA’s Global News Network Introduced

During the meeting, Yusuf Özhan, the Deputy Director General and Editor-in-Chief, gave a presentation about AA’s global news structure and production processes. Özhan also spoke about AA’s work in news, photo, and video production.

Message of Cooperation

Recinos highlighted the difficulty of accessing accurate information and expressed that they were always open to cooperation with AA. Karagöz emphasized AA’s strong news network and its role in global news monitoring. He also mentioned the reference work titled “Kanıt,” which discusses Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

The visit concluded with a gift exchange and a photo session.

AA will provide research scholarships to assist master’s and PhD students with their career planning and help them gain experience in their fields. These scholarships will support students’ academic work while also strengthening AA’s presence in the academic field.

Scholarship Duration and Scope

AA will offer 2 terms of scholarship for master’s programs and 4 terms for doctoral programs. If deemed appropriate, the duration for doctoral students may be extended by 2 more terms. The scholarships will be valid during the thesis period and will be paid monthly.

Application Requirements

Students wishing to apply will need to provide the following documents:

• 2 academic reference letters
• Master’s or PhD student certificate
• Thesis proposal form
• Statement of purpose
• English language proficiency score (at least 80 from YDS or at least 90 from TOEFL) within the last 2 years

Applications for master’s scholarships will only be accepted from domestic students, while doctoral scholarships will be open to both domestic and international applicants.

Scholarship Amount and Payment Terms

Master’s students will receive a scholarship of 12,500 Turkish Liras ($413), while doctoral students will receive 25,000 Turkish Liras ($827). The scholarships will be paid monthly during the thesis period to financially support the students.

Application Process and Evaluation

Applications will be evaluated by the AA Board of Directors. Applications can be submitted through AA’s website until March 1. Theses deemed appropriate by the Board will have the opportunity to be published by AA Publications.

Scholarship Termination Conditions

Students selected for the scholarship will sign a contract with AA’s Legal Department that includes the scholarship conditions. If the duration of the doctoral scholarship is extended or the student suspends enrollment, the scholarship may be canceled. Additionally, if the thesis topic is not related to AA, the scholarship will be canceled. In case of cancellation, the amount paid will be reclaimed with the inflation adjustment.

To apply for AA’s research scholarships, applications can be submitted via kariyer.aa.com.tr. The deadline for applications is March 1.

News link: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/corporate-news/anadolu-continues-to-offer-research-scholarships-for-theses-focused-on-agency/3117909

Ambassador Adwani was welcomed by Serdar Karagöz, President and CEO of AA, Hazal Duran, Director of Strategic Communication and Brand Management, and Bilgehan Öztürk, Director of Strategic Communication and External Relations.

AA’s International Vision and Global Activities

During the visit, Serdar Karagöz provided detailed information about Anadolu’s international news structure, working methods, and global operations. Karagöz emphasized that AA is actively operating in various regions of the world and highlighted Turkey’s significant role as a global actor. He also noted that Kuwait plays a leading role in the Gulf region and stressed the importance of strengthening relations between the two countries.

Global News Network and Turkey’s Role in the Region

Bilgehan Öztürk introduced AA’s global news network to Ambassador Adwani, explaining the AA’s worldwide news flow. Ambassador Adwani pointed out Turkey’s increasing role in regional stability and security and acknowledged AA’s active and influential presence in the region.

The visit concluded with Ambassador Adwani signing the guestbook, followed by a gift presentation by AA General Manager Serdar Karagöz.

AA has launched the “Photo of the Year” voting, showcasing photos that reflect the events that marked 2024. The voting is held with the sponsorship of ROKETSAN and Sony, featuring 140 impactful photos taken by AA photojournalists and reporters that have influenced Turkey and global news and been widely used by international media outlets. Participants can vote for the “Photo of the Year” from this selection.

New Category: “Free Syria”

This year’s “Photo of the Year” voting introduces a special category: “Free Syria”. Focusing on the events in Syria after the overthrow of the 61-year Baath regime, 21 photos will be presented under this new category. The aim is to shed light on Syria’s transformation and the challenges it faces.

Categories and Photo Selections

This year’s voting includes four main categories, each featuring carefully selected photos:

• Wildlife and Environment: 24 photos
• Daily Life: 26 photos
• News: 41 photos
• Sports: 28 photos

These photos were chosen from over 1 million images from around the world, curated by AA photo editors. They include photos from diverse locations, ranging from Turkey and the United States to Pakistan, Ukraine, the Arctic Ocean, Gaza, Iceland, and Peru. Participants will be able to view the photos with Turkish and English captions and vote for as many photos as they wish.

Participation and Results

Every year, thousands of people participate in the “Photo of the Year” voting. Last year, 869,591 people voted. The voting will continue until 5:00 PM on January 31, 2025, on the website “yilinkareleri.aa.com.tr”. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, ministers, politicians, artists, and people from all walks of life will participate in this important event and vote for their favorite photos.

News link: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/corporate-news/anadolu-opens-images-of-the-year-voting/3440145

AA has been awarded by the ÇEVKO Foundation for its sensitivity and contributions in the field of environmental journalism.

ÇEVKO’s 13th Green Dot Press Awards
The 13th Green Dot Press Awards, organized by the Environmental Protection and Packaging Waste Assessment Foundation (ÇEVKO), recognized media and industrial organizations that aim to raise environmental awareness. These awards contribute to creating awareness about environmental issues and promoting sustainable practices like recycling.

Award to AA
AA, which won an award in the “News Agency” category of the Green Dot Press Awards, demonstrated its sensitivity to environmental issues by establishing Turkey’s first Environmental News Department. ÇEVKO presented this award to AA for its efforts in raising awareness about environmental issues and recycling. The award was presented to AA’s Deputy Director of Environmental News, Ozan Bakır, by ÇEVKO General Secretary Mete İmer.

Other Award Winners
• Internet Category: “trthaber.com” won the award for raising awareness in environmental journalism.
• Newspaper Category: “Nasıl Bir Ekonomi” newspaper was awarded.
• TV Category: Ekotürk TV received an award.
• Magazine Category: Ekonomist magazine was awarded.
• Sectoral Website Category: “yesilhaber.net” received an award.
•   Sectoral Magazine Category: “Su ve Çevre Teknolojileri” magazine was awarded.

Green Dot Industry Awards
Various companies were awarded in the Green Dot Industry Awards by ÇEVKO for their environmentally friendly practices. Coca-Cola İçecek, Sapro, Abdi İbrahim, Netpak Ambalaj, Anadolu Efes, Gürok Turizm ve Madencilik AŞ, Migros, and Vestel Beyaz Eşya were honored in various categories.

Participants and Messages at the Ceremony
During the ceremony, ÇEVKO Foundation’s Board Chairman Okyar Yayalar and other officials expressed their gratitude to the media and industrial organizations for their environmental sensitivity. Additionally, they emphasized that the awards were given to encourage sustainable recycling practices and to inspire other companies in this field.

The Istanbul Photo Awards 2024 exhibition was inaugurated at the CerModern Art Center, with the participation of significant figures. Serdar Karagöz, President and CEO of AA, as well as the Ambassadors of Palestine, Serbia, and Nicaragua to Ankara – Faed Mustafa, Aca Jovanovic, and Tatiana Daniela Garcia, respectively – attended the opening. The speeches during the event highlighted the deep meanings behind the photographs and emphasized the humanitarian drama.

Serdar Karagöz: “We Are Witnesses to Genocide”

In his speech at the opening, Serdar Karagöz pointed out that the genocide committed by the Israeli government against the Palestinian people has been displayed daily on televisions, newspapers, and digital platforms across the world. He specifically drew attention to the photograph by Palestinian photographer Mohammed Salem, titled “Palestinian Woman Holding the Dead Body of Her Nephew,” which won first place in the Istanbul Photo Awards. Karagöz emphasized that this photograph would leave a lasting mark on history and would ensure that this genocide is never forgotten. He also mentioned that the photo not only affects the victims but has also created a trauma that affects the entire world.

Photographs as Evidence of Genocide and the Voice of Conscience

Karagöz described photography as a powerful tool to awaken conscience, with journalists documenting war crimes and genocides through their photographs. He highlighted how AA continues to be the voice of conscience, documenting these truths through its books and documentaries titled “Proof,” “Witness,” and “Accused.” He also noted that Istanbul Photo Awards has grown into a significant platform that brings together photos that witness history.

Istanbul Photo Awards: One of the World’s Most Prestigious Photography Competitions

Karagöz stated that the Istanbul Photo Awards has become one of the most prestigious photography competitions in the world. He mentioned that over 20,000 photos from 118 countries were submitted in 2024, with awards granted in 10 categories. These photographs hold great historical value. Additionally, he reminded the audience that submissions for the 2025 edition would end on January 10, and invited photographers from around the world to participate in the competition.

Visitors’ Impressions and Moving Reactions

Aca Jovanovic, the Ambassador of Serbia to Ankara, shared his impressions of the exhibition, stating that the photographs reflected a great tragedy and deep pain. He expressed his respect for the photographers and mentioned that the winning photo in the competition had a profound impact on him.

Acknowledgements and Supporters

Karagöz extended his thanks to CerModern Art Center, TİKA, Sony, THY, and Turkcell for their support of the Istanbul Photo Awards. Along with all the attendees, the photographers and their showcased works provided an unforgettable experience for the visitors.

News link: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/corporate-news/4th-edition-of-istanbul-photo-awards-10th-anniversary-exhibition-to-open-in-ankara/3418995

AA Stand Welcomes Numerous Visitors at the Doha Forum 2024

Anadolu, as the Global Communication Partner at the Doha Forum 2024, set up a promotional stand that attracted a significant number of visitors. Held in Doha, Qatar, under the theme of “Need for Innovation,” the forum received great interest from participants.

Books Presented at the AA Stand

At the AA stand, the “Evidence” book, which reveals Israel’s crimes in Gaza with visual materials that serve as crucial proof, and the “Witness” book, featuring testimonies from journalists, communicators, healthcare workers, and victims from Gaza, caught the attention of attendees. These books provided visitors with significant insight into the region’s crisis and global issues.

Qatar’s Minister of Education and Higher Education Also Visited the Stand

Among the many distinguished visitors, Qatar’s Minister of Education and Higher Education, Lulva el-Hatir, examined the “Evidence” and “Witness” books at the AA stand. This interest solidified AA’s efforts to expand its global impact.

Global Issues Discussed at the Doha Forum 2024

The Doha Forum 2024 took place on December 7-8, gathering numerous high-level participants, speakers, and panelists from around the world. The forum focused on critical topics such as geopolitical tensions, global security, humanitarian crises, and technological advancements.

“Diplomacy, Dialogue, Diversity” Theme Aimed at Collaborative Solutions

Held under the theme of “Diplomacy, Dialogue, Diversity,” the forum provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and offer solutions to global crises. AA’s participation emphasizes its commitment to addressing human rights and crisis management on such global platforms.

Kyrgyzstan’s Ambassador to Ankara, Ruslan Kazakbayev, visited the headquarters of AA. During the visit, Ambassador Kazakbayev was welcomed by AA Chairman of the Board and Director General Serdar Karagöz, and AA Deputy Director General and Editor-in-Chief Yusuf Özhan.

AA’s International News Structure and Operations

Serdar Karagöz, during the visit, provided Ambassador Kazakbayev with detailed information about Anadolu’s international news structure and operations. Karagöz highlighted that AA is actively operating in various regions around the world and offers an effective operation with its global news network.

Strengthening Relations Between Turkey and Turkic Republics

During the visit, Karagöz emphasized the need to further strengthen relations between Turkey and the Turkic Republics, stressing the importance of increasing cooperation in this area. He also pointed out that AA plays a significant role in this context.

AA’s Global News Network

Yusuf Özhan, AA Deputy Director General, presented Ambassador Kazakbayev with a detailed overview of AA’s history, global news network, and flow of information. Özhan elaborated on AA’s effectiveness in news dissemination and its growing global influence.

Importance of Kyrgyzstan-Turkey Relations

Ambassador Kazakbayev highlighted the strong relationship between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan, emphasizing the importance of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Kyrgyzstan in November for the 11th Summit of the Turkish Council of Presidents. He stressed that this visit was a significant step in strengthening the cooperation between the two countries.

At the end of the visit, Kazakbayev signed the AA guest book, after which he exchanged gifts with Karagöz. The visit concluded with a commemorative photo being taken.