APPENDIX VII

Seminar on

“techniques in writing news items ”

Algiers on 5-7 May 2008

The Algerian News Agency (APS), which chaired the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN), suggested to the Follow-Up Committee, during its meeting held on 1st April 2008 in Lisbon (Portugal), to organize in Algiers two training courses on writing techniques in both French and English.

The two sessions, which took place from 5 to 7 May 2008 at the APS headquarters, were intended for young journalists with an experience of less than five years coming from AMAN news agencies of both banks of the Mediterranean. A total of seven agencies attended the sessions, namely AMI, APS, CAN, MAP, MENA, SANA and TAP.

APS Director General and current AMAN chairman attended both opening sessions, which were hosted by two seasoned journalists.

Following this initiative, the trainees voiced their satisfaction with the smooth running and the content of the courses deemed beneficial. However, they believed that the three-day programme was insufficient.

Lastly, APS covered both stay allowances of the participants, member agencies of AMAN and the two trainers, for an amount close to six thousand Euros. However, the AMAN funds paid for the travel expenses and the payment for the supervisors, estimated at three thousand six hundreds Euros ands twenty six cents.

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