AA French service starts test broadcast
AA's vision is to rank among the world's 5 most influential news agencies.
ANKARA
Anadolu Agency's (AA) French service started its test broadcast on Monday as the agency will launch a French language service on April 6 as part of its vision to rank among the world's five most influential news agencies.
AA aims to broadcast news in 11 languages by 2020 - its centennial anniversary.
The inclusion of French will bring AA's broadcasting languages to seven - Turkish, English, Arabic, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian (BCS), Russian and Kurdish.
The French-language office will initially be based in Tunisia and serve francophone countries.
A second office is planned for Dakar.
AA’s French service aims to closely cover investment opportunities in Africa, regional political developments, Turkey’s economic and political activities and investments by Turkish businessmen.
The broadcast will also employ the services of reporters and freelance journalists in Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Central African Republic, Mali, Gabon, Madagascar and the Comoros Islands.
The personnel were carefully selected for the French News Service from almost 300 applicants who applied to AA’s Tunisia office and Directorate General in Ankara.
After being trained by academics and experienced journalists at AA’s News Academy.
The service's news, photograph and video formats will be available to clients through a French language option on the AA website.
Although initially provided for free on the AA News Transmission System, it will later only be available via subscription.
The service will enhance AA's capacity to accurately and objectively transmit economic and political developments in Turkey and across the francophone world, while also informing the Turkish public of events in Africa.
With its principles of “Reliable, impartial, ethical and fast,” AA aims to supply a breath of fresh air to African media through its French publications.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
