Statement from the Board of EANA on the Founding Day of the Alliance - August 21st, 1956

On this day in 1956, the European Alliance of News Agencies was established with a clear mission: to unite independent news organizations across Europe and strengthen the free flow of reliable information. What began as a vision of cooperation has grown into a strong community of agencies committed to the highest standards of journalism.

Almost seven decades later, the challenges facing journalism are greater than ever. In an era of misinformation, political pressure, and rapid technological change, news agencies continue to serve as trusted pillars of public life. Their work sustains democracy by providing accurate, impartial, and timely news that crosses borders and connects societies.

As we mark EANA’s Founding Day, we reaffirm our commitment to defend editorial independence, safeguard professional solidarity, and promote the essential role of news agencies in Europe and beyond. The strength of EANA lies not only in its history, but in its members’ enduring spirit of collaboration and their dedication to truth.

"As it approaches its 70th anniversary, EANA faces numerous challenges: multifaceted attacks on the journalism profession, the defense of facts in an era of polarization and massive disinformation, the protection and promotion of intellectual property, and the pursuit of financial balance while media clients are under intense pressure. Sharing and cooperation, which lie at the heart of the spirit that guided the founding of EANA, are more relevant than ever.”, said Fabrice Fries, President of EANA and President of Agence France Presse (AFP).  

“EANA stands as a pillar of editorial independence and professional solidarity. In a period marked by uncertainty and accelerated transformations, news agencies demonstrate that through constant collaboration, unconditional support, and respect both for the information delivered and for the audience, agency journalism remains a vital pillar of democratic society. The unity of journalists and respect for the profession are what can carry forward this craft, untarnished and untainted, in a continuous struggle against the so-called news promoted by social media platforms.”, added Claudia Nicolae, member of the Board of EANA and Director General of AGERPRES. 

“I am proud to serve on the Board of EANA, alongside colleagues who share the conviction that independent and reliable news are essential for our societies. At ANSA, we fully embrace the values that EANA stands for — cooperation, integrity, and editorial independence — and we see them as the foundation of trust in journalism. On the Founding Day of EANA, we celebrate not only the history of the Alliance, but also its continuing role in strengthening news agencies across Europe”, said Stefano de Alessandri, the CEO of ANSA and member of the Board of EANA. 

"As CEO of Belga, I am honored to contribute to the work of EANA, an Alliance that has proven its value for nearly seven decades. At a time when journalism is tested by disinformation, financial pressure, and political polarization, news agencies remain a cornerstone of democratic societies — providing facts, context, and trust. EANA embodies the spirit of solidarity and collaboration that allows us to meet these challenges together. On this Founding Day, we celebrate not only the history of the Alliance but its continuing role in securing a sustainable future for agency journalism across Europe", said Patrick Lacroix, the CEO of Belga and member of the Board of EANA. 

“EANA’s Founding Day is a very important date in the history of European news agencies — it is a reminder of the importance of unity, of coordination and of networking with peers. News agencies have had the same mission since their beginnings: in a world that too often shifts towards noise and uncertainty, news agencies have to deliver facts. I am proud to serve an Alliance that, year after year, proves the resilience and relevance of agency journalism, with growing importance in the global media stakeholder environment”, said Alexandru Giboi, Secretary General of EANA.