Press releases

This contract completes a months-long process of transformation for AFP, marked by: a development plan defining strategic priorities; the positive resolution of the complaint filed in Brussels against France for State aid, endorsing under European law the missions of general interest devolved upon the Agency; the creation of a technical subsidiary of means and innovation to provide financing for future investments; the amendment of AFP’s statute under the law of 17 April 2015 which strengthens the agency’s governing bodies; and ongoing social negotiations aimed at giving AFP a general company agreement.

On the occasion of the 68th Cannes Film Festival, Agence France-Presse is partnering with the city of Cannes for the third time to present ‘Cannes FAIT LE MUR’, an exhibition of 18 giant photographs which will adorn the walls of the city and its rue d’Antibes from 13 may to 31 August 2015.

Entries are open for The 2015 Edition of the African Fact Checking Awards, co-sponsored by the AFP Foundation and the African Fact-Checking website

CHRISTINE BUHAGIAR, CURRENTLY DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF VIDEO RESPONSIBLE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, HAS BEEN APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF AFP’S EUROPE REGION, REPLACING FLORENCE BIEDERMANN. Christine Buhagiar will specifically contribute her video development expertise to the region. Christine Buhagiar, now 53, studied at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris and the Centre de Formation des Journalistes.  She joined AFP in 1984 and has spent her entire career with the Agency.

Drawing from its broad network across Africa, AFP is launching a 10-minute programme highlighting Africa’s diversity.

Global news agency Agence France-Presse on Wednesday launched the 2015 edition of the Kate Webb prize, which is awarded to locally-hired journalists in Asia for exceptional coverage done in dangerous or difficult conditions. It carries a 3,000-euro ($3,300) cash prize and applications are open until May 8, 2015 at midnight Hong Kong time (1600 GMT). The winner will be announced in May and invited to a prize-giving ceremony in Asia.

Developed by AFP for its clients AFP#TweetFoot leverages the best of Twitter to follow top National Football Leagues in Europe, extracting only the most pertinent and influential timelines and tweets

Philippe Massonnet appointed Asia-Pacific director   Philippe Massonnet, 56, was Agence France-Presse global news director from 2009 to 2014.   He began his career in 1981, working as a freelance journalist in China for the press and television from 1985 to 1989.  

Iraqi and Kurdish female refugees will have the chance to tell their stories thanks to a five-day workshop to be run in Erbil, Iraq, from March 1 to 5 by the AFP Foundation and Chime for Change, the campaign which raises funds and awareness to empower women and girls around the world.

AFP photojournalist Bülent Kiliç received first and third prizes in the category Spot News Single at the annual World Press Photo Awards.