We are facing this problem. I hope OANA could give concrete contribution.
Seoul (ANTARA) - South Korean Culture, Sports, and Tourism Minister Park Yang-woo has called on the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) to combat hoax and fake news.

"We are facing this problem. I hope OANA would offer a concrete contribution," the minister remarked here on Thursday in his opening remarks during the 17th General Assembly of OANA in which the attendees comprised representatives of the organization's 43 news agencies from 35 countries.

Hoax and fake news spreading across the world have become challenges for the press and media industry amid growing number of media platforms, including the massive social media, he stated at the meeting that Antara News Director Akhmad Munir also attended.

Park drew attention to OANA’s responsibility to jointly face the change in order following the advancements in information technology and artificial intelligence.

In the meantime, Cho Sung-boo, the president and CEO of South Korean news agency Yonhap, who will take over the OANA Presidency at the end of the meeting, in his address echoed his commitment to leading OANA toward stronger cooperation and disseminating correct and verified information.

Hence, the 17th OANA General Assembly's themed, "New Challenges for Journalism: Technological Innovations and Issues of Trust," holds relevance in the midst of the current global changes.

The meeting was highlighted by a photo exhibition showcasing news pictures on culture and life as well as landscapes produced by OANA member agencies.

Four photos of ANTARA, respectively on damages caused by the Palu earthquake, eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau, a military battle exercise, and a betel nut tree climbing competition, are also displayed in the exhibition.

Antara from Indonesia, Bernama from Malaysia, Xinhua from China, Kyodo from Japan, and TASS from Russia, among others, are participating in the 17th General Assembly of OANA being held on Nov 6-9, 2019, in Seoul.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in is scheduled to receive the OANA General Assembly's delegations on Thursday afternoon.

Yonhap was elected to replace Azertac of Azerbaijan as the new OANA chair at the 16th OANA General Assembly in 2016. OANA, formed in 1961 on the initiative of UNESCO to promote regional news exchanges, holds its general assembly in a span of every three years.

Related news: S Korea's president scheduled to meet OANA's chief editors on Thursday
Related news: OANA member states tackle fake news as common enemy
Related news: Minister Indrawati invites social media influencers to tackle hoax

Translator: Budi Setiawanto, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2019