EANA elects Patrick Lacroix (Belga) to Board, Launches New Committees Focused on AI; Secretary General Alexandru Giboi Re-elected for Third Term
The General Assembly of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) has elected Patrick Lacroix, the CEO of the Belgian news agency Belga, as new member of the Board, for a three year term. Patrick Lacroix had been nominated by dpa for the position.
Patrick Lacroix said: “I am honoured to be elected as a new board member of the EANA - The European Alliance of News Agencies. I am grateful for this trust by my peers. EANA’s mission to safeguard and promote the common interests of European news agencies resonates strongly with me. I am committed to supporting our collective effort to ensure the free and unbiased dissemination of news, which is more crucial now than ever.
As CEO of Belga News Agency, I have always valued collaboration and innovation, and I am eager to contribute in that spirit to our board. Let’s continue to strengthen our agencies’ network and share our knowledge and let’s navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead together.
I look forward to serving the interests of all member agencies and upholding the values that EANA stands for.”
The General Assembly also reelected Alexandru Giboi for a third term as Secretary General. Alexandru Giboi had been nominated by AFP for the reelection.
Alexandru Giboi said: “I am honored by the trust placed in me by the members of EANA. I am committed to supporting EANA’s mission of securing the general framework for news agencies to function in accordance with the rules of democratic societies. Also, with the launch of the new EANA committees, we will expand our Alliance’s capacities to face the challenges of tomorrow with unity and common purpose. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Board and with all EANA members in driving our Alliance forward.”
EANA is also launching several forward-thinking Committees aimed at driving news agency innovation and strengthening the role of news agencies in today’s evolving media landscape. These new Committees will empower members to address critical industry challenges, from adapting the latest technologies to the needs of news agencies to safeguarding intellectual property. By stimulating collaboration between members, innovation, and ethical journalism, EANA is positioning itself as the main partner of dialogue on topics related to news agencies, among the most relevant European media stakeholders.
The EANA Committees are each led by a Chairperson proposed by the Board and accepted by the General Assembly:
- Committee for AI - Elmir Huremovic (General Manager of FENA),
- Committee for Business Development - Emily Shelley (CEO of PA Media),
- Committee for Public News Agencies - Aimilios Perdikaris (President of ANA-MPA),
- Committee for Copyright - Peter Kropsch (CEO of dpa),
- Commitee for Equality & Inclusion - Branka Vojvodic (Director General of HINA),
- Committee Against Disinformation - Serhii Cherevaty (Director General of Ukrinform),
- Committee for the Future of News Agencies - Joaquim Carreira (President & CEO of LUSA)
Fabrice Fries, President of EANA and President & CEO of AFP said: “News agencies are facing a lot of challenges and EANA has to play a growing role in securing an environment in which news agencies can not only face those challenges but also evolve. I thank the outgoing member of the Board, Elmir Huremovic, for his tenure, and welcome Patrick Lacroix to the team, congratulating him on his election. Congratulations to Alexandru Giboi for the new term as Secretary General."
EANA held it's annual General Assembly in Rome, hosted by member agency ANSA and sponsored by EY. The EANA events highlight was a meeting between EANA members and the President of the Republic of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, at the Quirinale Palace.
