Seychelles News Agency Launches Online

VICTORIA, Seychelles, April 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

The Seychelles News Agency has launched on http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com . But does a tiny African country like the Seychelles islands in the western Indian Ocean with a population of 90,000 people really have news? Aren't the headlines going to be just 'more people knocked out by falling coconuts on white sandy beaches' and 'the royals on honeymoon in 5 stars resorts'? 

That's what you might think the Seychelles are all about. But that is about to change, as the SNA offers a new perspective on this East African island nation.

 Did you know? 

- Seychelles is running for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council in 2017.

- Seychelles prosecuted the largest number of Somali pirates between 2009-2013, being at the forefront of the fight against piracy at sea, also undertaking 3 naval rescue operations at sea where hostages were released alive.

- Seychelles has Africa's highest ranking in the UN Human Development Index.

- Seychelles has 52% of its land territory protected by law as nature reserves, making it the most protected, conservation-minded nation in the world.

- The UAE, China and India are investing millions of dollars in infrastructure in the Seychelles.

- The islands have their fair share of problems; alcoholism, heroin drug abuse, brain drain, a rising number of HIV cases, coastal erosion and climate change.

 The Seychelles News Agency offers daily 'as -it-happens' news and features focusing on the islands' environment, diplomacy, oil exploration, tourism and business.

The agency text is free to be published or redistributed in any medium as long as agency and author are credited. It is the first national news agency in the world to use the Creative Commons licensing system for online low resolution photos posted on its site, while offering the option for users and media to buy high resolution versions.

Funded by the Department of Information of the Government of Seychelles, SNA is the brainchild of Maxim Behar, owner of  M3 Communications Group, Inc. He presented the idea to Seychelles President James Michel, and offered to make the concept and software development a donation to the Seychelles government.

Read the comments of President Michel, Maxim Behar, the Commonwealth Secretary General, and foreign diplomats on the eve of the launch.

See details in FAQ .

Co-editors: Rassin Vannier, Sharon Uranie +248-2813-626 / +248-2813-627, [email protected]   

SOURCE Department of Information, Government of Seychelles