KUWAIT CITY, Oct 7: On Sunday, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) officially launched its news application for smartphones and the "KUNA Observatory for Verifying News and Responding to Rumors" during a special ceremony held at KUNA headquarters. The event commemorated the agency's 48th anniversary and included the recognition of winners from its competition for excellence in journalism.

In her speech, KUNA Director General Dr. Fatima Al-Salem emphasized that over the past four decades, KUNA has aimed to be a beacon of official government media, playing a significant role in presenting a positive image of Kuwait globally. She highlighted that KUNA serves as the primary source of news related to Kuwait in both the Arab world and beyond, underlining the agency's important role in documenting the country's history.

Dr. Al-Salem reaffirmed KUNA's commitment to credibility, accuracy, and objectivity, which she described as the core values of the agency's work. She noted that KUNA's ongoing journey builds upon the efforts of former leaders who helped establish and develop the agency, acknowledging the dedication of all employees across various sectors who work tirelessly to provide outstanding services.

The launch of the "KUNA News App" was announced as a significant advancement in making KUNA's services more accessible. The agency also unveiled the "KUNA Observatory for Verifying News and Responding to Rumors."

Editor-in-Chief Mohammad Al-Bahar presented awards to the winners of the KUNA Excellence in Journalism Award for 2023-2024, recognizing Fahad Al-Saeed for "Best Press Interview," Mohammad Abu Bakr for "Best Press Investigation," and Kholoud Al-Enezi for "Best Press Report."

Additionally, KUNA News App Team Member Dana Al-Balhan showcased the app's features, which include access to the latest local and international news, organized for easy navigation and interaction, as well as options to save and share articles. The app also utilizes artificial intelligence for news audio playback.

The ceremony, hosted by colleague Nasser Al-Khamri, was attended by media professionals, enthusiasts, and KUNA affiliates, fostering an atmosphere conducive to enhancing communication among various media stakeholders and exchanging knowledge and experiences.