Aknews seeks independent funding following cutbacks
June 1, 2011
ERBIL-Hewlęr,
Kurdistan region 'Iraq', — Dozens of people have
been laid off at Aras Publishers, of which AKnews is
a subsidiary, due to its funding being cut.
The organization will need to find other funding
sources if it is to survive. Book sales, advertising
and grants are seen as the main options.
Director general of Aras, Bedran Habeeb, said he is
planning to make the operation self-sufficient
within a few months.
“We have the printing house and we will use this to
secure profits. We will also focus on commercial
adverts," he said.
Mr Habeeb said the media has to have its own
independent funds and not depend on political
parties.
"And this new path has been taken by AKnews and Aras
publisher for the first time in Kurdistan. The media
in Kuridstan is not independent because they do not
have their own income."
Based in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan,
AKnews is working towards becoming the premier
independent news agency in Iraq,www.ekurd.netpublishing
content in Kuridsh (Sorani and Kurmanjk dialects),
Arabic, and English.
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Badran Ahmed Habeeb, the Director General of
Kurdistan News Agency (AKNEWS)
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