Anadolu Agency’s war journalism trainees graduate

By Diyar Guldogan and Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA

A group of 25 international journalists, who took part in Anadolu Agency’s 13th intensive war journalism training program, graduated on Friday.

The 12-day program organized by Anadolu Agency’s News Academy in collaboration with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and the Turkish Police Academy, began on Oct. 9.

Journalists from Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kenya, Kosovo, Ethiopia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Serbia were trained by Turkey’s military, police, emergency services and public order bodies in Ankara.

As part of the program, several subjects -- including journalism, personal security, first aid, advanced driving techniques, water-survival techniques, survival during chemical and biological attacks and media management in hostile environments -- were taught.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mehmet Yilmaz, head of TIKA's External Affairs & Partnerships Department congratulated the reporters for "successfully" finishing the course.

"I hope that you will never [have to] need a certificate that you receive today," Yilmaz added.

Mucahit Muhammed Soykan, the agency’s director of Human Resources and Administrative Affairs, congratulated the participants for completing the "tiring and difficult" training.

Amir Nuspahic, who joined the program from Bosnia-Herzegovina, graduated top of the group.

Successful participants were awarded internationally-recognized certificates at the end of their training.