Convergence of OANA still a demand

Tehran, Sept 3, IRNA - Almost 60 years ago, Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) was establishment, but many of its goals are still in demand to strengthen convergence among its members. Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) is hosting the senior managers and directors of 18 news agencies from Russia, Azerbaijan, China, Qatar, Turkey, Oman, Mongolia, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Bulgaria. Also from Iran, semi-official Mehr news agency is attending the Tehran meeting on Monday. Most of these news agencies are members of the Executive Board of OANA, and some as observers and special guests attend the Tehran meeting. IRNA as an old member of this media organization undertook the presidency of OANA for a three-year term (1997-2000) and since served as its vice president until 2016 and is now a member of the OANA Executive Committee. OANA member states are said to account for 56 percent of the world's gross domestic product, about 50 percent of global trade, over 60 percent of the water territory, and more than 25 percent of the total volume of air transport. OANA says that it has been producing two-thirds of the world's information flow, but there are still questions about mechanisms to strengthen the cooperation of its members in the context of their shared concerns and interests. OANA's current meeting should come up with a definite answer or compilation of the following questions in order to provide at least a platform for mutual understanding for convergence with a focus on basic questions based on common interests and common concerns. What is OANA's record about fighting terrorism as one of the biggest threats to the development of the Middle East? How much is the contribution of the media activities and the amount of coordinated coverage in the form of OANA's collaborations on this common pain and threat? How should OANA deal with common concerns such as American unilateralism and disloyalty, such as the withdrawal of Washington from international agreements like Joint Comprehensive Plan of Actions (JCPOA), Paris Declaration, NAFTA, the violation of global trade regulations like the US's unconventional tariffs, the outrageous economic blockades, reinforcing the repressive regimes and strengthening terrorism in the region with the occupation and war, and what are the policies and practical measures in the media field for these common concerns? Two-thirds of the world's population belongs to OANA member states, and two thirds of the world's information is also being reported in OANA. Despite this capacity, what practical steps have been taken by OANA members to converge on breaking the news monopoly in the Western media? Regardless of the coverage of news and developments such as battles and explosions, how can OANA play a role in promoting and encouraging peace and sustainable development patterns in the region, joint economic interests and cultural convergence, and how? What measures have so far been taken by Colleges and information centers in OANA countries to exchange experiences through training? In the future, what are the plans for the synergy and sharing of experiences, and the role of these courses in strengthening the views and addressing common concerns? How can OANA's capacities be used and become an effective and influential professional coalition in today's world? What should be done about social networks and the promotion of effective presence in the multidimensional flow of information? The monopoly of social networks is similar to the production and distribution of traditional news by the media and Western companies. Is it not the time when OANA members think about creating appropriate platforms for publishing news such as new social networks? What mechanisms are needed to allow OANA members to jointly invest in establishing new social networks as an effective alternative to Western networks? The website of OANA has only one English version: http://www.oananews.org/ What efforts have OANA members made in propagating this site as a point of gathering news from their news agencies? It's been 60 years since OANA's establishment, but it certainly can be said that many reporters still do not know that OANA has a common platform. We must take OANA more seriously. We still have a long road to meet the expectations of this international media . Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish