ALLIANCE OF MEDITERRANEAN NEWS AGENCIES (AMAN)

17th  GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LISBON, PORTUGAL, JUNE 22-25, 2008

 

 

 

Final Report

 

French Edition

Pictures

Arabic Edition

 

The 17th General Assembly of AMAN was held on 24 June 2008 in Lisbon, Portugal, hosted by the Agencia de Noticias de Portugal (LUSA).  A seminar on “Renewable Energies and Multimedia” was held on 23 June 2008. 

 

 

FOLLOW UP COMMITTEE

The Follow Up Committee met on 1 April 2008 in Lisbon, at the invitation of LUSA.  The Committee made up of APS, LUSA, EFE and CNA, decided the draft agenda of the 17th G.A. of AMAN, and approved the expenses that would be covered by the AMAN Fund.

 

 

17TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Deliberations were completed in one day. The G.A. authorised the AMAN Secretary General to prepare the Final Report and send it to the members and observers by e-mail.  A deadline will be given to members and observers to suggest any changes in the Final Report before it is considered approved.

 

 

ESTABLISHING THE QUORUM

Of the 20 members of AMAN, 16 were present at the G.A., thus constituting a quorum under the Statutes of AMAN.  Four member agencies, namely ATA, JANA, MENA and Tanjug, did not attend.  From the three observers, IPS did not attend.

 

The list of participants is attached as APPENDIX I.

 

 

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

The draft agenda prepared by the Follow-Up Committee was approved unanimously without any changes.

 

The agenda is attached as APPENDIX II.


 

SPEECH BY OUTGOING PRESIDENT OF AMAN

Outgoing President of AMAN, Mr. Nacer Mehal, Director General of APS, referred to the decisions of the previous G.A. APS hosted in Algiers in 2007.

 

On behalf of all members, Mr. Mehal thanked LUSA Director General, Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso, and his assistants, for the excellent organisation of the seminar and the G.A. in Lisbon and the warm hospitality.

 

Mr. Mehal referred to a memorandum sent by Mr. Farid Ayar, representing FANA (observer), to the Secretary General of AMAN.  He regretted to say that regarding Mr. Ayar’s request of taking AMAN’s sessions to the second half of September or October, no consultations are needed of when to hold the AMAN sessions.  Mr. Mehal said that AMAN is functioning as a professional forum and not as a political forum.  FANA is not authorised to interfere into AMAN's affairs and vice versa.

 

As far as the internal procedures are concerned, regarding the acceptance of new members, Mr. Mehal said that Mr. Ayar has nothing to do with this and cannot support his position as mentioned in his memorandum. He added, Mr. Ayar's memorandum is unacceptable and cannot be considered as a document of FANA in the G.A.

 

Mr. Mehal gave his full support to the Secretary General for his excellent work, as he said, adding that the Secretary General has a duty under AMAN Statutes to submit suggestions and proposals to the FUC for the effective functioning of AMAN.

 

Mr. Mehal referred to efforts for more training sessions within the Alliance with special reference to the offer of the AFP Foundation to help AMAN and individual member agencies in this field.  He mentioned the seminar organised by APS but only seven agencies responded. The APS Director General also referred to the AMAN-OANA cooperation, saying that the two Alliances could work on a formula to have joint training seminars/workshops.

 

Handing over the presidency to Mr. Barroso, Mr. Mehal thanked him, LUSA staff and FUC members for their cooperation and wished very success in their mission.

 

Mr. Mehal’s speech is attached as APPENDIX III.

 

 

SPEECH BY NEW AMAN PRESIDENT

Taking over the AMAN Presidency, Mr. Barroso welcomed all participants to Lisbon, expressing his agency’s pleasure for hosting the 17th G.A. and wished every success to its proceedings. 

 

 

 

He thanked Mr. Mehal for his words, praising the efforts being made by Mr. Mehal, during his Presidency, for the good functioning of the Alliance. He also thanked EFE for its contribution during its Presidency and participation in the FUC.

 

The LUSA Director General pledged to contribute to efforts aimed to transform AMAN into a meaningful and useful organisation for all members, at multilateral and bilateral level. He said more action is needed to enhance activities and develop cooperation among member agencies in various fields, such as technology, exchange of information, training.

 

Mr. Barroso stressed the need for more cooperation between AMAN, EANA and OANA. He added that the FUC could work on plans and activities with an aim to make AMAN a more effective Alliance.

 

 

REPORT ON ACTIVITIES AND FINANCIAL SITUATION OF AMAN

AMAN Secretary General, Acting Director of CNA, Mr. George Penintaex, presented his report on the activities of AMAN, since the 16th G.A. and Extraordinary G.A., which he had circulated to the member agencies and observers. 

 

The report was approved unanimously.  It is attached as APPENDIX IV.

 

He also presented his report on the AMAN Fund, which was approved unanimously.  It is attached as APPENDIX V and APPENDIX VI.

 

The Secretary General informed the G.A. that Anadolu paid its membership contribution for the year 2008 the same day of the G.A.  Athens News Agency informed the S.G. that it has already transferred the money through the Bank while Tanjug paid its membership contribution for the year 2007 a few days before the G.A.   

 

Mr. Mohamed Missaoui, TAP President/Director General, expressed gratitude for the very important work done by the Secretary General and suggested all members to approve unanimously the report of the S.G.  He said the seminar hosted by APS in Algiers was successful.  He suggested the documents of the General Assemblies to be submitted to the members and observers much earlier before the meeting. 

 

Mr. François Grangie, AFP Director of External Relations, asked the Secretary General to inform the G.A. when a seminar on migration would take place with the help of the AFP Foundation.

 

The Secretary General informed the G.A. that due to CNA budget reasons the seminar will take place next spring and not in autumn this year as it was originally scheduled to be held in Cyprus.

 

 

Mr. Penintaex said this conference/seminar could take place within the framework of the AMAN-EANA agreement due to be signed in September and that Director Generals and other high-ranking officials of member agencies of AMAN and EANA will be invited. He added that the AFP Foundation would be very helpful in organising this conference/seminar.

 

 

REPORT ON APS/AMAN SEMINAR

Mr. Youcef Herkat, APS Director of Cooperation and Training, presented a report on the seminar titled “Techniques in writing news items” held in Algiers between 5-7 May 2008.  Mr. Herkat said that the seminar was delivered in two languages, English and French. Only seven member agencies were represented (AMI, APS, CNA, MAP, MENA, SANA, TAP).

 

The report is attached as APPENDIX VII.

 

 

PROPOSALS ON FUTURE TRAINING SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS

The Secretary General informed the G.A. that during the APS Presidency a training seminar took place in Algiers.  It is a tradition every Presidency to host one seminar addressed to journalists, photographers or technicians apart from the one held for high-ranking officials during the G.A.

 

Mr. Penintaex also said that the AFP Foundation is ready to help the Alliance and also individual agencies if they wish.  Individual members may contact AFP Foundation through CNA, through AFP or directly.  AFP Foundation is ready to undertake high level seminars. 

 

Mr. Mohamed Anis, MAP Deputy Director General, said that AMAN should continue collecting proposals for training sessions from member agencies. He proposed the drafting of an annual training plan or a three-year to include different proposals.  Mr. Anis noted the importance of training sessions for journalists and other staff, especially for the news agencies coming from the southern shores of the Mediterranean.

 

Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso said that suggestions will be taken up by the FUC to draft a plan. 

 

Mr. Dicko Soudani, AMI Director General, proposed to hold a workshop on economic matters during the G.A. in Mauritania in 2009.

 

Mr. George Penintaex referred to the spring seminar on migration and Union of the Mediterranean due to be organised by CNA.

 

Mr. Mohamed Missaoui said that seminars should be accurate, adding that migration has different levels.

 

Mr. François Grangie informed the G.A. that the Secretary General has a detailed list on the seminar regarding migration proposed by the AFP Foundation and a copy will be distributed to members in due course.

 

 

AMAN WEBSITE AND MED NEWS BULLETIN 

AMAN Webmaster, Mr. Roger Semaan, NNA Director of Internet and Satellite, presented a slide report on the website traffic and a slide report on the contributions to the Med News Bulletin, since the 16th G.A. and Extraordinary G.A.

 

His reports are attached as APPENDIX VIII.

 

Mr. George Penintaex expressed, on behalf of the G.A., sincere thanks to Mr. Semaan and NNA for hosting the AMAN website and for supporting and editing the Med News Bulletin. 

 

The S.G. invited all AMAN members to participate by contributing one or two stories everyday and reminded them that contributions should not be political stories.  The S.G. supported Mr. Semaan's proposal for a three lingua Mednews.  Mr. Penintaex urged and requested all participants to propose new ideas to update the AMAN website with new versions and appearance.

 

Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso supported the proposal of the S.G. saying that the G.A. can trust Mr. Penintaex and Mr. Semaan for updating the AMAN website.

 

Mr. Tahsin Akti, AA Deputy Director General, said that Anadolu was contributing every day to the Med News Bulletin but now they face a technical problem.  The S.G. asked Mr. Semaan to come in touch with AA to solve the technical problem.

 

The G.A. authorized the S.G. to circulate a letter among member agencies inviting suggestions to update the AMAN website.

 

 

NEW AMAN MEMBER - MINA

The News Agency of Montenegro, MINA, applied for membership.  The completed Questionnaire was sent to all members and observers attached with the report of the S.G.  The S.G. informed the G.A. that the FUC proposes the approval of MINA as new AMAN member, according to AMAN Statutes.

 

The MINA application was approved unanimously.  The number of AMAN member agencies is now 21.

 

 

APPLICATION BY MIA

The S.G. informed the G.A. that he received an application from the news agency MIA, based in Skopje, for membership of AMAN and a completed Questionnaire after the meeting of the FUC held in Lisbon, 1 April 2008.   

 

At the FUC suggestion the G.A. decided to postpone discussion and authorised the FUC to study MIA’s application until the next G.A.

 

 

JANA – MEMBERSHIP CONTRIBUTIONS

The S.G. presented all details regarding JANA’s delay in paying its annual membership fees for the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

 

He also presented his correspondence with JANA and his contacts with Libyan officials. He mentioned that for years now he got no answer to any of his letters to JANA. The S.G. recalled Article 4 of AMAN Statutes, which provides that “delayed payment of the membership fee” is one of the reasons that the G.A. can decide to exclude a member from the Alliance or to suspend member rights. This warning was included in letters the S.G. had sent to JANA. The S.G. reminded members that a decision for Article 4 requires a three quarters majority of the members present.

 

The G.A. unanimously approved a suggestion by the FUC to give another chance to JANA by suspending its member rights until the 18th G.A. and try once again to convince it to pay the four years outstanding amount it owes to the AMAN Fund.  The S.G. will follow the matter and come back with a new report in the next G.A.

 

Mr. Nacer Mehal said AMAN gives another chance to JANA, noting that Libya is a Mediterranean country and it would be pity to exclude JANA.  AMAN’s door is still open for JANA, he added.

 

Mr. Dicko Soudani urged the FUC to continue efforts to solve the problem with JANA and even to send a representative to Libya to deal with the matter if it is deemed necessary.

 

 

WAFA

The S.G. informed the AMAN members that he had received a letter from WAFA asking for more economic assistance from AMAN. Mr. Penintaex reminded AMAN members that the AMAN Fund assisted WAFA with 20.000 US dollars for purchasing electronic equipment. A relevant decision was taken by the G.A. held in Barcelona in 2006.  The S.G. gave the floor to Mr. Nemer Khlouf, WAFA Director General, to inform the G.A. about the purchase of the equipment. The S.G. said he was still waiting for the invoice/receipt about the purchase.

 

Mr. Khlouf said WAFA used AMAN money for buying PC's for the journalists in the year 2007.  He said unfortunately, under the hard circumstances they face in Gaza, his colleagues couldn't be able to send the invoice/receipt to the S.G.  He promised that he will arrange the invoice/receipt to be sent to the S.G. the soonest.

 

Mr. Nacer Mehal said that the FUC will discuss WAFA's new request and urged Mr. Khlouf to provide the necessary documents to the S.G. He said the AMAN members share the difficulties facing WAFA and stand by the side of the agency. 

 

Mr. Khlouf’s letter is attached as APPENDIX IX.

 

 

18TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Mr. Dicko Soudani expressed AMI’s readiness to host the 18th G.A.   in Nouackhott, Mauritania, in 2009, and promised to work closely together with the FUC members to achieve the goals set by the Alliance.  The General Assembly approved AMI’s proposal unanimously.

 

 

19TH  GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Mr. François Grangie expressed AFP’s readiness to host the 19th G.A. in Marseille, France, in 2010.  The General Assembly approved AFP’s proposal unanimously.

 

On behalf of all members, Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso thanked AMI and AFP for their readiness to host the 18th and 19th G.A. respectively.

 

As from this point, AMI replaces outgoing EFE, as new Vice-President in the FUC. Mr. Barroso thanked EFE for its contribution to the Alliance and its cooperation in the FUC. At the same time Mr. Barroso welcomed AMI in the FUC and wished every success in its work.

 

 

COMPOSION OF NEW FOLLOW UP COMMITTEE  

The new Follow Up Committee is composed by the following:

 

President:                                 LUSA

First Vice-President:                  APS

Second Vice-President:              AMI

Secretary General:                    CNA

 

 

FANA (Observer)

Mr. Farid Ayar, FANA Secretary General, referred to his memorandum sent to the S.G. regarding his request for changing the date of the AMAN G.A. as it coincides with the dates of holding the meetings of the Arab Information Permanent Committee and the Conference of Arab Ministers of Information in which Mr. Ayar participates.

 

Mr. Ayar also suggested the expansion of AMAN with news agencies not belonging to the Mediterranean.

 

 

 

Mr. Ayar’s suggestions will be studied by the FUC.

 

Mr. Ayar presented a paper with FANA’s activities. It is attached as APPENDIX X.

 

 

OANA (Observer)

Mr. Saiful Hadi, OANA Secretary General and ANTARA News Director, addressed the G.A. expressing his gratitude to AMAN for inviting OANA to attend the AMAN G.A. in Lisbon. He said OANA is looking forward to further implement the AMAN-OANA agreement, proposing the joint holding of workshops and seminars with the participation of journalists, photographers and technicians from member agencies from the two Alliances. Mr. Hadi’s address is attached as APPENDIX XI.

 

 

AMAN COMPETITIONS

The Secretary General announced the results of the 2008 competitions for the best news item and the best photo.

 

There were five entries to the best news item competition (AFP, APS, EFE, MENA, TANJUG) and ten entries to the best photo competition (AA, AFP, AMI, APS, CNA, EFE, HINA, MENA, TANJUG, TAP).

 

Mr. Barroso, the new AMAN President, presented Diplomas to the winners and a gift as memo from Lisbon.  

 

The prize for the best news item was awarded to Tanjug’s entry.  Journalist Vera Raskov-Djurovic, on a visit to Lisbon at the invitation of LUSA, received in person a Diploma for the best new item titled "Save the children, all of them..." 

 

Mr. François Grangie received a Distinction for AFP’s entry for the best news item competition titled: “Honey bees hunt for landmines in Croatiawritten by Zeljka Bilandzija.

 

Mr. Youcef Herkat received a Distinction for APS’ entry for the best news item competition titled:  “Ammi Hamouda, the Medina’s boilermaker” written by Yacine Loutari.

 

The prize for the best photo was awarded to EFE’s entry. Photographer, Domenech Catelló, on a visit to Lisbon at the invitation of LUSA, received in person a Diploma for the best photo, showing a Romanian immigrant dying of flames in the middle of the street in protest of his family’s economic plight.

 

Mr. Dicko Soudani received a Distinction for AMI’s entry for the best photo competition titled:  “Le comble de l'incivisme dans le transport urbain est  l'ouvre”, taken by Ahmed Ould El Hadj.

 

Mr. Mohamed Missaoui received a Distinction for TAP’s entry for the best photo competition titled: “Open door day for the employment of disabled in Tunisia”, taken by Raouf Ben Romdhane.

 

On behalf of the G.A. Mr. Barroso congratulated the winners and all participants in the competitions, urging all member agencies to take part.

 

The winner of the best news item Mrs Vera Raskov-Djurovic expressed thanks to AMAN for this honour and recognition of her work.  Mrs Djurovic works for 20 years in Tanjug and the last 15 years she covers stories referring to problems facing the refugees and especially children. She knows, she said, that in Africa there are a lot of people and especially children who suffer a lot and her mission is to write about them, because they have the right to live with dignity and not to loose their hope in this cruel world.

 

The winner of the best photo Domenech Catelló expressed thanks to AMAN for this honour.  He said the image of his photograph is a clear tragedy of what happened to this man.  Mr. Catelló wished the next image to represent freedom.

 

The best news item is attached as APPENDIX XII.

 

The best news photo is attached as APPENDIX XIII.

 

The best news item and the best photo will be published in AMAN’s Newsletter and appear on AMAN’s website.

 

 

AMAN FOUNDING MEMBERS – CERTIFICATES OF HONOUR

The Secretary General apologised to those AMAN Founding Members which were not included in the list of the members honoured during the 16th G.A., held in Algiers in 2007.

 

Mr. Barroso, as President of AMAN, presented Certificates of Honour to EFE and SANA, as Founding Members of AMAN, and to FANA, as Founding Observer.

 

JANA was not represented in the 17th G.A. to receive the Certificate of Honour.

 

 

EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION

At the suggestion of the Secretary General, the 17th G.A. of AMAN approved unanimously the following motion of thanks:

 

a)     To the Director General and the staff of LUSA, for preparing, organising and hosting with great success the 17th G.A. in Lisbon.

 

b)     To APS for holding the previous Presidency of AMAN.

 

c)      To EFE for holding the previous Vice Presidency of AMAN.

 

d)     To the Follow Up Committee for its cooperation and guidance since the 16th G.A.

 

e)     To EDP and ATC for sponsoring the seminar and the 17th General Assembly.

 

f)       To LUSA for the partial coverage of the expenses and the hotel accommodation for the participants.

 

 

g)     To the speakers for their contributions to the seminar.

 

h)     To the participants for their contributions.

 

 

SEMINAR

A seminar was organised on 23 June 2008 by LUSA.

 

The seminar was opened by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Augusto Santos Silva, who welcomed all participants in Portugal, wishing them pleasant stay and success in AMAN’s proceedings.

 

The Minister referred to the policy followed by his country in cooperation with neighboring countries on various sectors, stressing the importance of having a regular dialogue with various parties.

 

Mr. Jorge Cassilas spoke on behalf of EDP on the issue “Renewable Energies”.

 

Mr. Maulo Nogneira dos Santos presented LUSA’s “Technological steps in the Multimedia path”.

 

Mrs. Evi Varsou presented ATC’s “News Asset/LUNA: Multimedia newsroom and multi-channel delivery”.

 

Mrs. Maria Mann of EPA gave a lecture on “Photo Market”.

 

Mr. Jose Luis Fernandez Checa of EFE presented the issue “Multimedia – Contents and Market”.

 

 

George Penintaex

Acting Director/Editor-in-Chief CNA

Secretary General AMAN

 

 

 

GP/MM/AMC

Monday, 22 July 2008