16 independent news agencies from Eastern and Central Europe met in Bratislava (November 27/29) and agreed to form an umbrella organisation to focus on issues of common concern and to develop the professionalism of independent news agencies in the region.

The new association, to be officially established early next year, will be a non-profit, non-governmental organisation aimed at providing a platform for debates on relevant issues; develop training and exchange programmes to enhance the performance and standards of the member agencies; look for areas of cooperation with regard to technology and development; and act as a support mechanism for members in the region facing oppression and undue interference in the gathering and disseminating of news.

The three-day meeting – organised by the International Press Institute and SITA in cooperation with the Freedom Forum, the World Press Freedom Committee and ProMedia-IREX – appointed a working committee to draft the statutes of the association and to coordinate the formal establishment of the body. The working committee is comprised of George Shabad, Baltic News Service; Dorothea Ionescu, Mediafax (Romania); Mikhail Tavkhelidze, Prime News Agency (Georgia); and Pavol Mudry, SITA (Slovakia).

Johann P. Fritz, Director of the International Press Institute, welcomed the development and said: “Independent news agencies are often on the front-line of the battle for accurate and balanced reporting. Forming this association will consolidate their position in the region, will be of great benefit on professional issues such as training and technology, and will allow the agencies to speak with one voice on issues of common concern.”