RMG, 4 February 2021 -- The central Salesian News Agency (ANS) has been at work on different digital platforms since 1993 and has become the global face of Don Bosco on a day by day basis. But for a variety of reasons, many Salesians of Don Bosco and Salesian Family members are still not aware of this magnificent opportunity. We are happy to share the first-hand experience of one mission partner working for ANS for many years, Mr Gian Francesco Romano (12 years of service), who works with his colleagues Mr Alessandro Parozzani (28 years) and Ms. Virginia Nitto (5 years) each day.

       What makes you happy as an ANS journalist?

       I would say, at a personal level, the most beautiful part of it is the possibility of getting to know so many great human stories of commitment to the Kingdom of God on this earth. And most of these stories never reach the mainstream media. I think about many Salesian missionaries who I have interviewed over the years but also so many young people who follow the footsteps of Don Bosco in their mission.

       And this inspiration fills me with great satisfaction, when I know that through the ANS journalist's work some person in Europe could be inspired by some African story in the local pastoral project or when some benefactor could be touched by our interview to extend their scholarship to another part of the world.

       What do you suggest for ANS to have greater visibility?

       Over the last few years, ANS has been steadily growing as a more professional tool of information at the service of the Salesian Mission. Especially in recent years through SNS (social media like Facebook, Flicker, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube) ANS is becoming known by more people , particularly through special Salesian events (e.g. Novena to Mary Help of Christians, SF Spirituality Days, LIVE streaming from Valdocco etc).

       In my humble opinion we need to grow within the Salesian Congregation itself, since many SDBs are still not well aware of what ANS provides. I would suggest fostering closer relationships with the provincial delegates for Social Communication and especially 'entering' the initial formation houses and involving young Salesians more. However, we should also foster mutual relationships with all other Salesian charismatic sectors.

       What are your dreams for the future of the ANS news agency?

       I have a dream:

       * that ANS accomplish its mission of being the 'megaphone' for all the good that the Salesian Family is doing around the world in an every better way

       * that ANS works in a more connected way with all Salesian presences around the world

       * that ANS be better known and appreciated by other media as the communications instrument that gives a voice to the voiceless and that it be considered as the first and the most authoritative source of Salesian information within the Salesian Congregation.

       Editor's note:

       The ANS (Agenzia iNfo Salesiana') was established in 1956, based on the previous experience of the 'Agenzia Missionaria Salesiana' (since 1951). At present under the leadership of the General Councillor for Social Communication, Fr Gildasio Mendes, and ANS Director, Br. Jose Luis Munoz, three lay mission partners are also involved (Alessandro, Virginia and Gian Francesco,) together with a large team of translators for five languages: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Polish. ANS is found on the internet: www.infoans.org and the ANS office is located in the compound of the SDB General house in Rome at Sacro Cuore.

       What is the reality of the ANS news agency in quantitative terms?

       ANS NEWS ARTICLES published during 2020 (Jan 1 - Dec 31)

       Total of 1050 longer NEWS articles:

       News 750, Interviews 100, Events 70, Insights 110, RM's Message 12 + 250 News (only in one language, Book presentation: 60

       Total of 1150 short NEWS articles:

       Photo news 1060 (caption), To know 50, Photo story: 40

       DIGITAL MEDIA

ANS - TWITTER: Followers 9,300 (Spanish 3900 > French 281)

ANS - FACEBOOK: Followers 49,000 (Like on the page 41.558)

ANS - INSTAGRAM: Followers 4,900

ANS - NEWSLETTER: Email 7,420 (Spanish 2400 > Italian 2300 > English 1700 > Portuguese 440 > French 400 > Polish 180)

ANS - FLICKER: Followers 293 (42,000 Photo - high resolution)

ANS - YOUTUBE Subscribers: 9,140 (Spanish 2,640 > German 9)

ANS - PORTAL WEB: 1,300,000 views (of 727,805 single users)

       PRINTED MEDIA

       ANS-FOTO: 8 Photos each edition 2,100 (SDB - FMA by mail) - During 2020: 7 editions + 2 Strenna 2021 posters

       DURING SALESIAN FAMILY EVENTS

       Strenna 2021 LIVE streaming - YouTube and Facebook (Dec 26, 2020)

       Spanish - 100,740, Italian - 72,847, English - 17,614, Portuguese 13,330, French 6,516 views

       SF Spirituality Days 2021 (Jan 15-17, 2021) - 6 languages

       Facebook LIVE streaming - total of 456,000 views

       Flicker PHOTO - 38,000 views

       ANS NEWS final article - 6,000 views

• Related resources: ANS - Salesian News Agency
• Related news articles: AustraLasia 4812 (II) Don Bosco is greater than you can imagine! (Interview-ANS director)

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