Anadolu Agency News Academy held a graduation ceremony on Wednesday for the trainees of the New Generation Journalism and 5th War Journalism certificate programs.

Senol Kazancı, AA Director-General and Chairman of the Board; Yılmaz Colak, President of Police Academy; Metin Mutanoglu, Deputy Director-General and Editor-in-Chief; and Umit Sonmez, President of News Academy were among the participants of the certificate ceremony held in AA’s conference hall.

Kazancı said the New Generation Journalism program -- which typically lasts 2-3 months -- had 116 graduates, while the shorter, 12-day War Journalism training had 21.

Successful participants received their certificates. Among these participants, Melike Kınacı came in first, Baki Ozturk second and Goksun Unlu the third in Ankara-based New Generation Journalism program, while Ibrahim Dogruyol ranked first, Nazli Karaman second and Hadi Zirig third in the Istanbul leg.

In War Journalism training, Ali Imran Durman came in first, Vesna Besic second and Kasim Sakalli had third place.

Speaking at the “Principles of Journalism” conference held before the certificate ceremony, Murat Akgun -- Turkish TV channel A Haber’s Ankara bureau chief – told the participants about the challenges of the media sector.

"If you don’t love this job, give up now," Akgun said, and advised the aspiring journalists to read more.