Bernama, TASS Can Forge People-to-people Contact

FotoBERNAMA

The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) and Russia's TASS news agency can play a role in bringing the people of both countries closer, says Russian Ambassador to Malaysia Valery N. Yermolov.

He said that in forging people-to-people contact, the role of the media was highly recommended and should be utilised in creating better understanding of each other.

As Bernama and TASS enjoyed warm relations, and both being active members of the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA), the people of both countries could gain more from this mutual cooperation, he told Bernama during his visit to the news agency's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

"As the role of our media agencies are important, I believe people of both countries will find out more about each other.

"Surely, this will contribute to the countries' development and further understanding on the two countries," said Yermolov, who started his stint in Malaysia in February.

He also said that a TASS reporter would be based here by year-end.

OANA was formed in 1961 on the initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to secure direct and free exchange of news among the news agencies of a region inhabited by more than one half of the world's population.

It provides a news wire service (OANA website) containing articles submitted by its 44 members from 35 countries. The OANA member countries account for two-thirds of the world's news flow.

Bernama hosted the 38th OANA Executive Board Meeting from Feb 13 to 15.

By Nabilah Saleh

-- BERNAMA