Kuala Lumpur, February 19, 2025 /MONTSAME/. The 54th Meeting of the Executive Board (EBM) of the Organization of Asia Pacific News Agencies (OANA) is taking place in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, on February 16-19, 2025.

On February 17, 2025, participants discussed presentations on digital and audience-centric approaches, trust-building, and combating misinformation, while also sharing their countries’ achievements and experiences in these areas. News agencies around the world are placing notable emphasis on integrating modern technologies and artificial intelligence into their daily operations.

In his opening remarks, Zaman Rezakhani, Secretary-General of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies, emphasized that news agencies can harness artificial intelligence to deliver reliable information quickly. However, there is a risk when any organization or individual misuses it to spread false information. He stressed that "If news agencies can introduce new technologies and meet the needs of their viewers and readers, they will remain relevant as before. Although it is not possible to use artificial intelligence in all news, it is very suitable for use in sports scores, stock market results, etc. However, we need to be careful to write interesting articles and interact with viewers."

Following this, Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia’s BERNAMA News Agency, expressed her hopes that the 54th Meeting of the Executive Board of the OANA would serve as a platform for member agencies to strengthen collaboration, share knowledge, and build lasting connections. She highlighted the growing threat of misinformation, which has been amplified by rapid technological advancements and shifting audience behaviors. Ms. Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin stressed the need for innovation and collective efforts to resolve this challenge and shared BERNAMA’s independent initiative in combating false information. In March 2020, the Agency launched MyCheck Malaysia, a platform designed to verify and clarify information, aiming at mitigating the harmful effects of misinformation on society.

In her presentation, Khulan Bulgan, Head of the Foreign Relations and Cooperation Department at MONTSAME Mongolian National News Agency, emphasized, "Fighting false information is crucial for trust, stability, and decision-making in society. Technology and artificial intelligence can be used to detect fake content, and social media platforms can implement stricter regulations. Blockchain technology can also be used to verify the authenticity of content. To do this, it is important to raise human awareness and thinking and to empower media organizations. By teaching readers to analyze information and verify its sources, we can create informed consumers. General education and higher education institutions, as well as media organizations, play an important role in raising public awareness. Fighting misinformation is a shared responsibility, and governments, media outlets, tech companies, and the public must be involved. Let us all be vigilant and take on the responsibility of being critical thinkers who value truth over sensation."

Nguyen Duc Vu, Director of the Technical Center at the Vietnam News Agency, explained that while artificial intelligence offers both advantages and challenges, managing its risks is essential. To address this, the Agency established an Artificial Intelligence Department. He highlighted that the VNA utilizes AI to generate content, enhance information security, protect data, and efficiently deliver news to the public through its website.

Dr. Claymond Lim Wei Xiang, the AIGC Architect of Huawei Cloud Malaysia, mentioned that with the help of artificial intelligence, applications have been created on Huawei brand mobile phones, and said, "For example, we use artificial intelligence to categorize news and work with Japan's Nikkei under contract, and we also use a program that provides the necessary information for the target group.”

Over 30 delegates from 13 countries, including Mongolia, Iran, Japan, Russia, Qatar, China, South Korea, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, and Türkiye, are participating in the 54th Meeting of the Executive Board of the OANA themed “Future-Proofing News Agencies; Embracing AI and Technology for Sustainable Growth."