The conference on the topic “Discovering Truth in Journalism” preceded the opening of the General Assembly proceedings with the participation of Prime Minister of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski, as well as leaders and representatives of news agencies, including General Director of the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Valbona Zhupa and News and Multimedia Director Almarina Gegvataj.

PM Mickoski said in his opening remarks that, “More than ever, the media is at present-day a pillar of democratic societies. The media does not only inform, but also inspires, unites and creates a climate of prosperity”.

“In times of economic and social challenges, when citizens seek security and hope, it is the media that can convey a vision, explain reforms and encourage public debate. Truth must be valued above all power,” said Mickoski.

The prime minister of North Macedonia also underlined that, “When our citizens hear positive news from neighboring countries, the prejudices are overcome and friendships are cultivated.”

He added that disinformation and unfounded criticism are the biggest challenges not only for the media, but also for democracy itself.

“In the era of digitalization and social networks, disinformation is like a virus; it spreads quickly, creates distrust and can erode public trust. True news is the foundation of trust in the future. Let this conference be another sign that our societies are choosing the path of dialogue, cooperation and truth,” said the prime minister of North Macedonia.

ABNA-se was established in 1995 to ensure greater cooperation between the region’s news agencies.

The association consists of 12 news agencies, Albania’s ATA, Bosnia and Herzegovina FENA, Bulgaria’s BTA, ANA-MPA of Greece, ANSA of Italy, KOSOVAPRESS of Kosovo, CNA of Cyprus, AGERPRES of Romania, MIA of North Macedonia, Anadolu Agency of Turkey, Croatia’s HINA and MINA of Montenegro. /p.s./

The representatives of news agencies from 11 participating countries at the 30th ABNA-SE General Assembly, which BTA hosted in Burgas, unanimously voted for and accepted it.

The official registration of ABNA-SE will be in Bulgaria and its headquarters will be in the BTA premises. The ABNA-SE charter is in line with the principles of the European Assembly of News Agencies (EANA) charter.

“This serves a wider recognition of our country, because there are not many registered international organizations and this is one of the few. Eleven countries joined from the Balkans; we also have an observer from Italy and we expect other countries to join as well”, said Valchev.

According to him, the organization can expand even further, considering South-East Europe.

He emphasized that Moldova, Georgia, Armenia can join Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Romania, Turkey, Croatia and Montenegro.

General Director of the Greek news agency, ANA, Emilios Perdikaris was elected president of ABNA-SE.

The organization’s next assembly will take place in Thessaloniki in the spring of 2023, while Turkey will host ABNA-SE in 2024.

The Board of Directors of ABNA-SE includes the current president of ABNA Skënder Krasniqi, owner of the “Kosova Press” news agency and Serdar Karagöz, general director of AA.

The idea to create the Organization of Balkan News Agencies was born in September 1994, at a meeting in Sofia of representatives of news agencies from the Balkans.

The first informal founding General Assembly of ABNA-SE was held in June 1995 in Thessaloniki.

The purpose of the organization is to enable the development of cooperation between news agencies from the region and to contribute to the creation of a climate of peace, friendship and cooperation in the Balkans.

This organization includes ATA, FENA, BTA, ANA, CNA, KosovaPress, MIA, Agerpres, TANJUG, AA and HINA. /r.e/p.s./