ANKARA
India's ambassador to Turkey on Thursday paid a visit to the headquarters of Anadolu Agency, Turkey's global news agency.
Sanjay Panda was welcomed at the headquarters in the capital Ankara by Serdar Karagoz, the agency's director general, and Yusuf Ozhan, the deputy director general and editor-in-chief.
During the meeting, Karagoz spoke about Anadolu Agency's extensive global news presence and dedicated journalistic work.
Touching on positive developments and ties between Turkey and India, he said the economy, tourism, and cultural interactions deserve more media attention.
Karagoz stated that Anadolu Agency aims to have more journalists in India for stronger reporting.
Touting the agency’s daily photo output of almost 3,000 pictures, he said that they aim to increase this even more.
Importance of journalistic instinct
Deputy Director General Ozhan also made a presentation on the mission, vision, and goals of Anadolu Agency, spotlighting some agency headlines and photos featured in international media outlets.
He said Anadolu Agency employs 142 different nationalities and boasts offices in 41 sites around the world and representatives in 100 countries.
Noting that agency reporters have the most advanced technological facilities at their disposal, Ozhan also showed examples in global media of photos taken by agency drones.
"Just having a drone isn’t enough. You have to have the journalistic instinct," he said, citing how many international outlets republished Anadolu Agency photos of the recent tragic building collapse in South Florida.
Ambassador Panda, for his part, highlighted the importance of improving relations between the two countries and the key role the media plays in this.
"The media has a very important role in the context of bilateral relations," the ambassador noted, stressing the media’s responsibility.
Highlighting areas of potential cooperation between the two countries, Panda said disagreements between the countries should not obscure the larger picture of bilateral ties.
"India and Turkey are natural partners," he said, adding that he hopes to see more Anadolu Agency reporters come to India.
At the end of the meeting, Karagoz and Panda also exchanged symbolic keepsake gifts.
Founded in 1920, Anadolu Agency is a leading global news agency operating across the world. It serves subscribers in more than 100 countries, from the Americas and Europe to the Middle East, Asia, and Asia-Pacific.
