The National Association of Press Agencies has recruited its latest member, the Austrian-based Central European News Agency.
CEN opened its Vienna headquarters in 1997, and has full-time offices in Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Split, Bucharest and Sofia.
News editor Michael Leidig, exWestern Mail and HTV in Cardiff, worked with Wales News Service before switching to Austria, explained: “Operating out of central Europe, we need to keep our fingers on the pulse of what’s happening among British newspapers, magazines and broadcast media.
“We were too slow in responding to the way the market changed after 11 September. We are impressed by NAPA’s reputation and believe being members will keep us in touch with the way the demand for news is changing and help on where we need to concentrate our resources.”
His organisation, with a staff of ten, has correspondents in seven countries and specialises in looking for news with a British angle, the lighter or specialised news and features the standard wire agencies don’t cover.
CEN shut its TV and radio departments after 11 September, shedding a dozen journalistic jobs – but kept its print and picture departments and its district offices, and this year has started recruiting again.
They were admitted at NAPA’s 21st annual general meeting last week in Barford, near Stratford-upon-Avon.
By Jon Slattery
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