AA training 'will support Turkey's media sector'

ISTANBUL

The Anadolu Agency News Academy will be a provider of human resources for Turkey’s media sector, the training program’s coordinator, Umit Sonmez, told an Istanbul audience on Monday.

Speaking at a gathering organized by the Communications Platform Association in the Eyup district of Turkey's largest province, Sonmez told attendees the AA News Academy would provide staff not only to The Anadolu Agency but also to all media organizations.

The AA News Academy was established as part of the agency’s centennial goals for 2020. It has been holding seminars and certificate programs for the past three years.

It offers programs on the fundamentals of journalism, energy reporting, diplomatic coverage and war reporting among many others.

At least 4,500 people have applied to attend the programs so far, but only 390 have been selected.

"We are trying to increase the capacity of the academy with more programs in order to meet demand," Sonmez said, adding that the agency would offer "New Generation Journalism" training courses to Turkey’s Family and Social Policies Ministry staff.

Another project is a new media training program for physically disabled people, he said, adding:

"We get emails almost every day from across the world saying that there are many people who want to attend our programs here. They see Turkey as an income channel, and we are making efforts to offer them the training programs they ask for."

He also said that he wanted more contact with Turkish universities’ communication faculties to provide students with opportunities to practice with experienced journalists.

AA Istanbul Regional Director Sabri Celebioglu, and the Chairman of Communications Platform Association Yusuf Ziya Catakli were also present at the gathering.