OANA General Assembly results in Seoul Declaration

Bishkek, Nov.15, 2019 /Kabar/. The news agencies of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) adopted a Declaration on the outcome of the 17th General Assembly.

In particular, it says: "The delegation of the General Assembly, held on Nov.6-9, 2019 in Seoul, after a discussion on "New Challenges for Journalism: Technological Innovations and Issues of Trust", came to the next agreement:

1. OANA members, as responsible media outlets, will make utmost efforts to thwart the spread of fake news and misinformation through rigorous fact-checking in order to earn and deserve public trust.
2. OANA members will share experiences and expertise with one another in averting the distribution of fake news and misinformation in the joint efforts to safeguard integrity in journalism across the OANA region.
3. OANA members will cooperatively seek means to tap into technological advancements in the production and distribution of news and find ways to reach a wider audience within and outside the OANA region.
4. OANA members will make concerted efforts against digital piracy and other forms of violations of intellectual property rights and share information on any breaches made against OANA members.
5. OANA members, in reaffirming their commitment to peace and understanding among nations, back the Korean peace process based on confidence-building and placating tensions, and aspiring for such a process to contribute to peace in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) is the largest media organization in the world, which includes the largest news agencies of 32 countries in Asia and the Pacific, including China, Russia, the United States, Australia and many Asian countries.

The Organization was formed in 1961 on UNESCO's initiative. The work of the Organization is led by the news agency, which is elected for three years at the General Assembly

Until 2022, the organization will be headed by the Yonhap News Agency of South Korea, which hosted the 17th OANA General Assembly. Prior to that, Azerbaijan’s AZERTAC Agency have headed the OANA for three years. In Seoul, Iran's IRNA has offered to host the next 18th OANA General Assembly in Tehran in 2022 and has the opportunity to lead the organization for the next three years.

Since 1997, Kabar News Agency from Kyrgyzstan and Kazinform from Kazakhstan are members of OANA. TASS and Sputnik agencies are members of the Organization from Russia.