Anadolu Agency (AA), the Turkish Police Academy, and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) jointly organised the two-week course, which aims to train newsmen to cover wars, disasters, and other extraordinary situations.
In a collaborative endeavor involving Anadolu, the Police Academy, and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the 24th term of war journalism training has commenced. This two-week course assembles 10 Anadolu staff members and 15 participants from various countries, with a shared goal of preparing correspondents for missions in war zones, disaster-stricken areas, and other extraordinary situations.
The initiation of the training period was marked with a special ceremony held at Anadolu’s headquarters in Ankara, Türkiye’s capital city.
Journalists as Peacekeepers
Alptekin Cihangir Isbilir, Director of the AA News Academy, addressed the attendees, highlighting that the role of journalists transcends mere documentation of wars and conflicts. Journalists also play a crucial part in raising early warning mechanisms, preventing conflicts, and minimizing civilian casualties.
Global Escalation of Conflicts
Isbilir underscored the alarming surge in global conflicts and extraordinary situations. Notably, he pointed out the Israel-Palestine conflict, which saw the tragic loss of 46 journalists, including four women, who were covering the escalating crisis.
A Partnership for Training Excellence
Fatih Inal, Deputy Director of the Police Academy, detailed the long-standing collaboration between Anadolu and the Police Academy in organizing war journalism training. Over 24 terms, this initiative has successfully trained 508 media professionals for work in war zones and challenging environments.
Comprehensive Training
The training program covers essential skills for war correspondents, including resilience-building, advanced driving techniques for challenging terrains, guidance on handling explosive materials and ballistic vests, and fostering teamwork to cope with potential abductions and interrogations.
Sharing Experience with the World
Mustafa Hasim Polat, Coordinator of Training Projects at TIKA, emphasized the agency’s mission of sharing Türkiye’s experience with friendly nations. He highlighted the profound impact of regional problems in areas such as Gaza, Syria, and Ukraine and the significant role journalists play in addressing these critical issues. Polat stressed the importance of distinguishing between propaganda and genuine news, urging trainees to focus on reporting the truth.
A Joint Commitment to Truth
As the event concluded, with the presence of officials from various agencies, it reinforced the importance of accurate, truthful, and safe journalism, particularly during conflicts and crises.
This training program aims to equip more journalists with the skills and knowledge necessary to report from the frontlines, share stories accurately, and contribute to a better understanding of critical global issues.