Press releases

Faced with a lack of any action following an attack on their Burundi correspondent Esdras Ndikumana on August 2 as he carried out his work, RFI and AFP have filed a complaint for torture against persons unknown at the supreme court in Bujumbura.

Thai investigative journalist Mutita Chuachang will receive the 2015 Kate Webb Prize from Agence France-Presse (AFP) for her independent reporting on human rights including Thailand’s draconian use of the royal defamation law, the award’s administrators announced Tuesday.

The “Visa d’Or” for news photography was awarded to Bülent Kiliç at the close of the 27th Visa pour l’Image International Photojournalism Festival for his coverage of Syrian refugees crossing into Turkey in mid-June of this year.

From 29 August to 13 September 2015, the International Festival of Photojournalism showcases the work of Bülent Kiliç in Ukraine, Turkey and Syria and Mohamed Abdiwahab’s photographs of the everyday lives of the Somali people, scarred by terrorist attacks and battles between rival gangs.

Philippe Agret appointed Brussels bureau chief

Former chief editor for France Didier Lauras has been appointed head of the AFP sports department, replacing Vincent Amalvy who has joined the sales and marketing department with responsibility for the Agency’s global sports strategy, major event organisation (the Olympic Games, the World Cup, the Euro Football Championship) and partnership development.

Sport, along with strengthening the video offering, is a strategic editorial priority for AFP. With the 2016 Summer Olympics approaching and the Ryder Cup to be held in France in 2018, AFP and the French Golf Federation have formed a partnership to offer more content.

Agence France-Presse has announced the launch of "AFPTV Live", a new service for television networks offering more than 500 live videos a year.

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.