The role of journalists is not limited to documenting wars and conflicts but also to raise early warning signs, Cihangir İşbilir, director AA Academy
By Hamza Kyeyune, 06.11.2023 – Update : 07.11.2023
Ankara, Türkiye. -A group of journalists from 15 different countries in Europe, Africa and Asia have today Monday started the 24th term war journalism training in Ankara.
The training jointly organized by Anadolu Agency News Academy, Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), Turkish Armed Forces, Turkish Police Academy, Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) aims to equip journalists with skills to survive during extraordinary missions like wars and disasters.
The program conducted by authoritative experts offers 26-courses including personal safety, first-aid, advanced driving techniques, surviving in water, chemical and biological attacks among others. Successful participants will be awarded internationally-recognized certificates.
Alptekin Cihangir İşbilir, the director for AA Academy told participants that the role of journalists is not limited to documenting wars and conflicts but also to raise early warning signs before they happen and minimize civilian casualties. He said it is important for journalists to receive proper training before being sent to war zones, noting that it is regrettable for over 46 journalists, including four women, to have lost their lives in the escalating Israel-Palestine conflict.
Ömer Aykon, TİKA coordinator in Uganda said that well trained journalists who run toward the conflict in order to tell the story are a great asset to every society.
“Journalists prepare news sometimes in extremely harsh conditions that put their lives in harm’s way, many journalists around the world have actually lost the battle in line of duty, therefore, such trainings are very important to help reporter to know how to survive under extreme conditions, and be able to tell the story,” he said.
Uganda is among the participating countries in the program. TİKA training projects coordinator Mustafa Hasim Polat noted that the state aid agency’s mission is to share Türkiye’s experience with friendly nations.
