Cihan rises as global news provider as it celebrates its 18th anniversary

The agency celebrated its 18th anniversary at its new headquarters on Friday with a ceremony attended by an array of politicians, diplomats, academicians, businessmen and journalists. Among those present were Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç, Felicity Party (SP) leader Numan Kurtulmuş, İstanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş, Turkish Airlines (THY) CEO Temel Kotil and consul generals of several countries.

Cihan General Director Abdülhamit Bilici took the podium first and discussed the reasons for Cihan’s success as a news provider. He noted that Cihan was founded at a time when radio and TV broadcasts were forbidden in Turkey, pointing to the difficult circumstances the agency went through in the first few years following its entrance to the country’s publishing industry. Cihan is one of four Turkish private news agencies and the second to open in the country.

“Today almost all national TV stations and newspapers subscribe to our services,” said Bilici, describing the agency’s success after those troublesome years. The agency has revamped its entire technological infrastructure in line with the 21st century’s needs.

Cihan also provides morning, noon and evening news bulletins on a daily basis to 85 local TV stations throughout Turkey. Bilici told the audience that the key to their success is twofold: their self-sacrificing and hardworking staff’s adherence to professional ethics and the agency’s trustworthiness.

Arınç, who also addressed the attendees on Friday, drew attention to the factor of trust in his assessment of the news agency as well. “Wherever I have gone as a politician, it always made me happy to see Cihan with us,” he said, adding that other private news agencies provide high-quality services to their clients as well but that “trustworthiness is something that differentiates Cihan from the rest.”

Arınç further argued that Cihan has achieved “a success beyond all appreciation for its trustworthiness, service quality and technological resources,” adding that it has contributed greatly to Turkey’s reputation around the world with its push to become a leading global player in the field of publishing.

The managers of several news agencies Cihan cooperates with also contributed to the night’s event with their assessment of Cihan’s services and the significance of their agreements with the agency.

Russian news agency RIA Novosti Deputy Director Editor-in-Chief Sergei V. Vykhukholev said he believed their deepening cooperation with Cihan would also contribute to mutual understanding between theRussian and Turkish people.

Saudi Press Agency Director General Abdullah bin Fahd al-Hussain made similar remarks. “The cooperation between us is an indicator of the solidarity between Turks and Saudis,” he said.

Kazakhstan’s Khabar news agency Director General Gulnar Iksanova also highlighted his appreciation of Cihan’s services and stressed that “Cihan and Khabar are together a bridge between two states and two civilizations.”

Markus Ickstadt, The Associated Press director of sales Europe, Middle East and Africa, emphasized Cihan’s growing potential in the global publishing industry. “Cihan has certainly made a name for itself in the broadcasting world,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç, SP leader Numan Kurtulmuş, İstanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş, THY CEO Temel Kotil and various consul generals joined Cihan’s 18th anniversary night on Friday.