Agencies that are members of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) should join forces to develop common standards of ethics for the media. Sharing experiences can help avoid mistakes in the future. Deputy Director General and Editor-in-Chief of TASS Mikhail Petrov expressed this opinion.
As he explained at the 53rd meeting of the OANA Executive Committee, almost all media outlets currently have their own editorial standards.
– I am sure that our approaches to working with information are essentially the same, – the speaker says. – Therefore, as part of our discussions, I propose that we develop common approaches and recommendations for colleagues. This way, we can share positive experiences and help each other avoid mistakes.
The TASS Editor-in-Chief believes that promoting ethical standards is an achievable result on the OANA platform.
In modern conditions, news agencies face many challenges, including unreliable information, fakes, and attempts to manipulate information around various conflicts. In this context, joint work to strengthen information verification standards and balanced approaches is vital.
– We have an advantage over social media and messengers, which, one way or another, convey information to the audience, – added Mr. Petrov. – It lies in the fact that we operate within the framework of specific regulations, traditional media rules, and bear full responsibility for the information we provide. This approach is a kind of quality mark for our audience.
The Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies was founded in 1961 on the initiative of UNESCO. Its goal is to actively promote alternative points of view on global events and defend the idea of a multipolar world. The structure unites more than 40 news agencies from 35 countries, making it the largest global media team. OANA member countries account for two-thirds of the total volume of global information flow. TASS will organize the 19th OANA General Assembly, which will be held in early summer 2025.
G. Khonnazarov, UzA