International Training held for TV journalists at the basis of organizational support of Azercell Telecom is over

Baku, March 18, 2008

First international training organized in Baku by Azercell Telecom for TV journalists has finalized its work. Five days long training’s last day – March 15 has marked the certificates’ presentation ceremony for participants.

Local journalists and foreign guests who take part in this training were greeted by Mr.Halim Ateş, Azercell Telecom CEO. He spoke about relentless activities of both Azercell and journalists for the sake of the same goal: “Your job is to provide timely unbiased information to people, while our goal is to be helpful in bringing this information operatively and with quality to anyone in any place. We are the sides that complement each other”.

According to Company’s CEO, Azercell Telecom has started to implement its media development strategy entitled “Development Sharing Platform” to enable better these achievements jointly. Recalling such events as contest for journalists, English language courses, training for printed media employees held in the framework of the said Platform, Mr.Halim Ateş has said that the Platform is elevated into higher level: “In the past, we ensured this development among ourselves. Nowadays, we have made this Platform as international by bringing Fintur, one of main shareholders of Azercell to our family. Before, we used to go other countries for training. Today, our friends from foreign countries come to Azerbaijan, share our Platform and study better our country. I am confident that as they will return back to their respective countries, they will share their impressions. I do hope that days spent here will impact their working environment. After having seen such influence, they will recall Azerbaijan and us”.

Mr.Halim Ateş, Azercell Telecom CEO has noted that media representatives from Kazakhstan, Moldova and Georgia have participated in this training for TV journalists together with their Azerbaijani colleagues. Mr.Ateş has expressed his thanks to trainers who conducted training. He spoke about further continuation of joint exercises with Reuters Foundation and activities directed to develop professional journalism in the framework of close co-operation.

Seizing this opportunity, Mr.Anatoly Verbin, former Chief Correspondent of Reuters Agency for Bulgaria and member of Reuters Foundation has said that “the first” word pronounced by journalists in any field entails the golden value for them. “Usually, people memorize events that happen for the first time. This training became the first international event organized by the private company in Baku. It means that business community perceives the necessity of professional journalists. At the same time, media representatives have the envy to work with professional and development businesses.” Mr.Verbin has expressed his gratitude to participants and Azercell Telecom for organizing this training and pleasure to come again to Baku.

In the end, training participants were given certificates and gifts by Azercell Telecom. Among them, there were television journalists from Georgia’s Rustavi 2, Moldova’s ANTV, Kazakhstan’s TAN, Khabar, Astana TV channels as well as Azerbaijani central and local broadcasting media.

Ms.Nino Ivanishvili, Chief Producer of Reuters Television in CIS has also taken part as trainer in this training which lasted March 10 – 15. During seminar, besides interesting lectures, various creative games have been played with journalists. Furthermore, video samples have been demonstrated to journalists. Media representative were be given ample information on preparation of television news, its investigation, writing for TV, effective use of camera and other important creative processes.

In general, 15 candidates have been selected from Azerbaijan and other countries to participate in this international training. Foreign journalists have joined to this event at the basis of selection done by their relevant mobile operators. Moldcell, Geocell and K’Cell mobile operators which operates in Moldova, Georgia and Kazakhstan and largely owned in shares by Fintur Holdings Group of Companies have sent winners to Baku defined by the contest organized to choose TV journalists from their respective countries.