As part of its continuous effort to tackle disinformation, Agence France-Presse (AFP) is pleased to announce the launch of the ‘MediaNumeric Academy’ – a training programme in data journalism and fact-checking created for the future generation of journalists. The initiative aims to foster the development of a European media ecosystem that prioritises audiences and users, emphasising fairness, economic sustainability, and technological progress.

The European Newsroom (enr) is pleased to welcome seven new members. Now, a total of 23 news agencies from Europe are involved in the new round of the cooperation project. The European Newsroom, initiated in 2022, aims to strengthen collaboration among agency journalists across Europe and to enhance coverage of EU-related subjects. The new additions are AMNA (Greece), ANP (Netherlands), CTK (Czech Republic), PAP (Poland), Lusa (Portugal), Ritzau (Denmark) and TT (Sweden).

From June 6th to June 9th, more than 400 million European citizens will elect a new five-year parliament. On this occasion, the European Data News Hub (EDNH) is releasing ‘‘European Elections: A How-To Guide’’, an interactive guide available in 9 languages compiled by AFP and the other 5 European press agencies partnering with the EDNH.

The Europe Prize rewards the photo of the earthquake in Turkey, which happened in February 2023. Adem Altan is also in the running for the global World Press, which will be announced on April 18th.

At its meeting on 20 April 2023, AFP's Board of Directors approved the accounts for the 2022 financial year, which confirm the Agency's continued financial recovery.

The Agency's commercial revenues reached €208.6 million, rising by 5.3% (+10.4 million) compared to 2021, at comparable exchange rates. For the first time in the Agency's history, the €200 million threshold for commercial revenue was exceeded. Business was driven by the Agency's three strategic development areas: video, digital investigation, and corporate and institutional activity.

Debunking misinformation and publishing fact checks is essential but a new, unprecedented, project will soon help us understand better the disinformation phenomenon. “Narratives Observatory combatting Disinformation in Europe Systemically” or NODES is a pilot project set up by seven research and media partners including AFP, coming from four European countries and co-funded by the European Commission.

In preparation for the European parliamentary elections between June 6-9, Agence France-Presse (AFP) is working on multiple projects to help fight the spread of disinformation, promote electoral integrity and uphold democratic values across the continent.

AFP reiterates its unswerving support for its colleagues in Gaza working in the most difficult conditions imaginable, amid reports concerning certain photographs taken on October 7, the day of the Hamas attack against Israel.

An American site, HonestReporting, started the controversy on Thursday when it wrote that the presence of several Gaza-based photographers, who took photos for international media and who it said were on the scene particularly quickly, raised “ethical questions.”

AFP, in association with the European Fact-Checking Standards network (EFCSN) and other European stakeholders, announces the launch of a project to improve the capacities of European fact-checking organisations to tackle crisis situations. It is called FactCRICIS (European Fact-Checking Response in Climate Crises), co-funded by the European Union.

AFP journalist Arman Soldin was killed on Tuesday by rocket fire in eastern Ukraine. ‘‘The whole agency is devastated by the loss of Arman’’ AFP chairman Fabrice Fries said.

‘‘His death is a terrible reminder of the risks and dangers faced by journalists every day covering the conflict in Ukraine’’, Fries added.