Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on 19 April hosted a reception for a delegation of representatives of members of the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) who are in Ha Noi for the 44t^h OANA Executive Board Meeting (EBM).

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (C) and OANA members’ leaders (Source: VNA)

PM Phuc congratulated leaders of OANA members on the success of the EBM meeting hosted by the Viet Nam News Agency (VNA).

He highly valued the theme of the meeting “For a professional and innovative journalism”, and topics discussed in the framework of the event, saying that these are typical contents in the current context of the complicated development of information in the world.

OANA President Aslan Aslanov, who is also Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC), thanked the Vietnamese Government and authorized agencies for their support for the organisation of the meeting, saying that the event offers a good chance and serve as a venue for representatives of the regional news agencies to exchange information and promote cooperation.

Briefing PM Phuc on the meeting, the official said participants focused their discussion on how to deal the spread of fake news and highlighted the importance of streamline journalism in the current context.

The AZERTAC has had many cooperation activities with the VNA in recent years, he said, adding that the meeting is a good opportunity for the two sides to make their ties stronger, more effective and practical.

Sharing Aslanov’s opinion, PM Phuc said press agencies, especially news agencies, play an important role in contributing to promoting social development, enhancing solidarity and friendship among nations, and promoting peace in the world.

Press agencies need to modernise their operation and information production in the digital era, he stressed.

Agreeing with the view of Aslanov and the meeting on the need to deal with the current rampant fake news, PM Phuc said that there should be official information from news agencies to give accurate information direction to the public.

News agencies must provide accurate and fast information to the local, regional and global press systems, and create effective tools to verify and correct the false information, he stressed.

In its development strategy, Vietnam always facilitates the operation of the press agencies and journalists, and encourages press agencies to expand application of digital technology achievements in their operation, the PM said.

He affirmed that the VNA has made many efforts in renovating its operation, expanding international cooperation to bring accurate information in Vietnamese and foreign languages to friends worldwide.

The leader took the occasion to commend the VNA on its achievements in expanding new types of information, as well as the news agency’s hosting of the 44^th OANA EBM meeting, saying that the event helps connect regional and international journalists, contributing to promoting cooperation among regional countries.

He expressed his belief that with the presence of prestigious regional news agencies in Hanoi, the image of a friendly, peace-loving, hospitable and beautiful Vietnam will be promoted to the international community.

Speaking at the farewell party for participants to the 44^th OANA EBM on the same day’s evening, VNA Director General Nguyen Duc Loi thanked OANA President Aslanov, Vice Presidents and Secretariat, and member agencies for their support to and companionship with the VNA during the organisation of the event.

He affirmed that since its founding in 1961, the OANA has always striven to achieve the goal of Asia-Pacific news agencies creating a mainstream and globally pervasive flow of information.

The official expressed his hope that OANA members will continue to cooperate and innovate so that the flow of information from news agencies continues to contribute to the region’s strong development in the coming years, and strengthen OANA’s development in the digital era.

(Source: VNA)