Agence France-Presse

AFP is a global news agency delivering fast, accurate, in-depth coverage of the events shaping our world in video, text, photographs, multimedia and graphics. From conflicts to politics, economics, sports, entertainment and the latest breakthroughs in health, science and technology. The news agency has regional offices in Nicosia, Montevideo, Hong Kong, and Washington, D.C., and bureaux in 151 countries. AFP transmits news in French, English, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish and German.

AFP enhances its offer with AFP Sports and AFPTV, but also diversifies its activities through its corporate subsidiaries such as AFP-Services, offering personalized video and production services for institutions, companies and media.

With the aim of continuously developing the AFP brand, the Agency counts on the implementation of a business development plan whose guidelines were unanimously approved by the Board of Directors in December 2016. The five objectives are to acquire 1.000 clients by 2021, become a news video leader, enhance its offers and diversify the sources of income, develop the global licence and secure the company’s growth.

Currently, the CEO is Emmanuel Hoog and the Global News Director is Michèle Léridon.

The Agency was founded in 1835 by Charles Havas of the Agence Havas under the name Agence des feuilles politiques. As the world’s first international news agency, it uses a network of correspondents and translators. During the Military Administration in France, the news agency is renamed French Information Office (OFI). Liberated France’s first dispatch is issued on August 20, 1944 and the News section of Havas then becomes AFP. On January 10, 1957, the French Parliament adopts the AFP statute, guaranteeing its editorial independence, global presence and financial autonomy. The CEO is elected by a Board of Directors.