APTN NOMINATED FOR INTERNATIONAL EMMY

London, 4 September 2003 - International video news agency APTN was one of four international finalists nominated for the prestigious International Emmy award for its coverage of Gulf War II. The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences presented its News and Documentary Awards - dubbed the Emmys - in New York on September 3rd 2003. The award went to ITN for Channel 4 News for their piece on the fall of Saddam Hussein.

More than a billion viewers saw APTN footage supplied via 500 broadcaster and online portals. The agency sent 120 people to the region, equipped with the latest video and satellite technology in what was the largest deployment in television news agency history.

Sandy MacIntyre, APTN's Head of News, said: "To be nominated for such a prestigious award is testament to weeks of tireless endeavour in the field and speaks volumes for the journalistic excellence of everyone on the news team at APTN. We set out to 'raise the bar' on how we cover major conflict and tried hard to push the boundaries both editorially and technically. We feel incredibly proud to have our efforts recognised in this way by our professional peers."

APTN covered the bombing of Baghdad LIVE and reported the capture of its international airport by US troops. The agency's LIVE images of the toppling of Saddam Hussein's statue in a Baghdad square were amongst the most memorable of the war.

· APTN scored a world exclusive when an American pilot used a small APTN digital camera to capture the air to ground bombing of Iraq.

· APTN used cutting-edge satellite tracking antennas and videophone technology to transmit live pictures from the deck of the American aircraft carrier USS Constellation during bombing raids

· APTN also mounted full broadcast quality satellite dishes onto specially adapted 4-wheel drive vehicles to give viewers a unique perspective of the unfolding conflict in the Iraqi desert and in Northern Iraq.

This latest accolade, which is an agency first, follows recognition from the Royal Television Society in the UK whose Special Judges' Award was given to APTN for coverage of the September 11 World Trade Centre attacks.

ENDS

APTN is the international television arm of The Associated Press - the world's oldest and largest newsgathering organisation. APTN has over 80 bureaux in 67 countries linked by a network of global satellites. APTN supplies video news, entertainment, and sports content to more than 500 broadcast newsrooms, portals, Internet, broadband and mobile products worldwide.

For further information, please contact:

Niall Campbell
Marketing Communications Manager
APTN
Tel: +44 (0)20 7482 7433
Email: ncampbell@ap.org