Istanbul, 6 September 2024 (MIA) - The Media Information Agency – MIA will host the 33rd General Assembly of the Association of the Balkan News Agencies-Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE) in 2025, as decided by the 32nd General Assembly hosted by Turkey’s Anadolu Agency on 3-6 September in Istanbul.  

At the Assembly, MIA Director Dragan Antonovski was elected as a member of the Managing Board of ABNA-SE.

The Assembly re-elected the head of Greek news agency ANA-MPA Aimilios Perdikaris as member of the board. The head of Anadolu Agency, Serdar Karagoz, will also remain a part of the board and will lead ABNA-SE in 2025. The Director General of Bulgaria’s BTA news agency and ABNA-SE Secretary General Kiril Valchev is a member of the board as well.

The 32nd General Assembly of ABNA-SE in Istanbul was attended by the heads of news agencies from the Balkans, Mediterranean and Europe, including MIA’s Director, Dragan Antonovski, and General Service Editor Ana Cvetkovska. 

Participants discussed upcoming projects and proposals for changes in the regulation ahead of the General Assembly in 2025.

Touching upon the outcome of the meeting, Anadolu Agency’s Serdar Karagöz voiced optimism over the Association’s future and expectations for further progress.

As part of the 32nd General Assembly a conference titled “Navigating AI and Media” was held, which discussed the role of artificial intelligence in the creation of media perspectives, the potential and opportunities it opens, as well as how to properly utilize it in journalism in order to protect the basic principles of journalism.

Karagöz highlighted the crucial role technology plays in media.

“If there is one thing everyone is talking about – in the streets, in our houses, in schools – it's technology,” Karagöz said.

He noted that Anadolu Agency actively utilizes technological innovations, especially in the area of artificial intelligence. 

“We have a special department in our company that works with artificial intelligence. I encourage all news agencies to get more involved in the technology,” Karagöz said. 

The conference was also addressed by the Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacır, who said new technologies should be used to ensure greater media freedom in the Balkans and in the promotion of democratic culture.  

Twelve news agencies make up ABNA-SE – MIA, ATA, Anadolu Agency, FENA, BTA, HINA, CNA, ANA-MPA, Kosova Press, MINA, Agerpres and ANSA.  

Photo: MIA