ROME, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Italian ANSA news agency celebrated its 75th anniversary on Tuesday, as Italian President Sergio Mattarella paid a visit to its headquarters in the Italian capital.
Accompanied by ANSA president Giulio Anselmi and editor-in-chief Luigi Contu, the head of state met with the agency's reporters and with the board.
Mattarella praised the agency for the contribution it has provided to the development of the Italian society so far.
"The news agency formula -- which is to provide information to the news media -- proves this activity has a public interest," ANSA quoted the president as saying.
The president also visited a small exhibition displaying all technologies and equipment used by the agency to broadcast in its history.
ANSA is Italy's top news agency, and started its wire service in January 1945. It has 22 offices in Italy and 73 offices across the world, and serves over 1,400 customers, including public institutions and private firms alongside media companies, according to its official website.
