Foreign Policies

Reznik: Defence of News Agency Independence Is Never-ending Process

Bratislava, September 22 (TASR) – It seems that independent and credible information is starting to be held in much greater regard than may appear to be the case at first glance, said News Agency of the Slovak Republic (TASR) general director Jaroslav Reznik at the beginning of a three-day conference (September 21-23) held by the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) in Bratislava on Thursday.

Reznik in his speech pointed out that the search for and defence of the independence of news agencies is a never-ending process. “This process must be constant and effective because there are still attempts to influence public opinion on one question or another,” he stressed, adding that these manipulation efforts are often creative and varied. “That’s why our endeavours to provide rapid, verified and objective information sometimes resemble a juggling act,” he stated.

Reznik believes that the EANA conference in Bratislava and the exchange of experience will contribute towards news agencies’ remaining the most trustworthy source of information for both the lay and professional public, even in an era witnessing a powerful surge of social media.

This is the first time ever that an EANA conference and the EANA General Assembly is being hosted by TASR in Slovakia. As many as 33 delegations, with EANA President Clive Marshall of Great Britain’s Press Association (PA) at the forefront, have accepted invitations.

Among the first to speak was Facebook Head of Media Partnerships EMEA Nick Wrenn, who spoke about the possibilities for cooperation with news agencies in the context of the potential to disseminate agency news via social media.

In addition, Germany’s DPA will receive the EANA award, and the EANA General Assembly will elect the new EANA president.

EANA is a professional organisation of European news agencies based in Geneva, Switzerland. It was established in 1956 and is an association of the dominant agencies from individual countries, but with only one agency from each state.

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PM: Slovakia to Organise Repeated Mass Testing, Two Dozen Districts Exempt

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