FAAPA’s 9th Executive Committee Wraps Up in Abidjan

04 October 2024 Printable Version

Abidjan - The 9th meeting of the Executive Committee of the Atlantic Federation of African Press Agencies (FAAPA) wrapped up on Friday in Abidjan, after two days of fruitful discussions and intense exchanges on how to further promote the Pan-African organization’s efficiency and professionalism and strengthen its future actions.

During this event, attended by several director-generals, journalists and media experts, as well as members of the Federation’s Executive Committee, the focus was on two major themes, divided into panels: “African news agencies: what strategy for AI?” and “fake news and fact-checking”.

Following this meeting, FAAPA announced the results of its 2024 Grand Prix in “Article,” “Photo” and “Video” categories. The Maghreb Arabe Press (MAP) earned the FAAPA award for the best article, while the Ivorian Press Agency (AIP) won the FAAPA award for the best video and the Senegalese News Agency (APS) won the FAAPA award for the best photo.

The prizes will be awarded to the winners at the FAAPA General Meeting, set to be held in the Moroccan city of Casablanca in January.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, FAAPA Vice-President and Central Director of the Ivorian Press Agency (AIP), Oumou Barry Sana, said that the FAAPA Executive Committee meeting was marked by rich discussions and fruitful exchanges, which “will undoubtedly contribute to strengthening the foundations of our alliance and progressing our profession.”

Barry also extended her congratulations to the winners of the FAAPA 2024 Grand Prix awards. “Your exceptional contributions testify to the quality and dynamism of our network. Your works inspire and enhance the prestige of our profession,” she underlined.

This achievement, she continued, embodies what FAAPA strives to promote: excellence, innovation and diversity in news processing, believing that through these awards, “we celebrate not only the talent, but also the commitment and passion that drives our teams in each of our member countries.”

Expressing her honor to see Côte d'Ivoire host the FAAPA meeting, she praised the continued support of the FAAPA Executive Committee members, which illustrates the importance of cooperation and solidarity between African press agencies.

“Our African press agencies continue to play a key role in developing African media,” she said, stressing that FAAPA's future is in "good hands" and that the decisions taken in Abidjan will strengthen its future actions.

She also highlighted the need to keep promoting partnership and collaboration within FAAPA.

Founded on October 14, 2014, FAAPA aims to build strategic partnerships and strengthen professional ties among African press agencies, promote the free flow of information and enhance cooperation regionally and internationally.