European news agencies launch joint newsroom

A coalition of European news agencies, backed by funding from the European Commission, launched a new joint newsroom in Brussels yesterday. The 16 agencies -- dpa, AFP, AGERPRES, ANSA, APA, ATA, Belga, BTA, EFE, Europa Press, FENA, HINA, MIA, STA, Tanjug and TASR -- will share some resources to improve their coverage of European events. Journalists from the smaller European agencies will share workspaces in Belga's Brussels headquarters and offices near EU headquarters, as well as training opportunities, experience and know-how. The hope is that by working more as a network, the agencies' pooled resources will provide a deeper understanding of European news to readers in their home national markets.