Baku (VNA) – A delegation of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) led by Deputy General Director Doan Thi Tuyet Nhung attended the second Shusha Global Media Forum in Shusha city, Azerbaijan, on July 20-22.

Themed “Unmasking False Narratives: Confronting Disinformation,” the forum attracted the participation of over 150 delegates from around 50 countries, including news agencies of 30 countries, three international organisations, 82 global and regional media entities.

The forum consisted of four panel sessions on “Impact assessment: scoping disinformation,” “Policies and initiatives to build a more resilient society against disinformation,” The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on reality, media and disinformation: Promoting media literacy,” and “Climate movement and media” Speaking at the opening session, Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, stressed the need for the international community to enhance its responsibility in verifying information and disseminating accurate news to prevent disinformation.

Highlighting the challenges faced by global media in light of the rapid development of AI, Hikmet Hajiyev stressed that news agencies must collaborate more closely with the United Nations and other global organisations, adding that sharing accurate information is crucial.

In the discussions, representatives from news agencies, media entities, and international organisations, and experts exchanged viewpoints and shared experience on identifying disinformation and unverified information, as well as solutions to enhance global awareness of combating disinformation, and improve the effectiveness of the fight against fake news.

On the sidelines of the forum, VNA Deputy General Director Nhung had a meeting with Chairman of the Board of Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC) Vugar Aliyev.

The two sides emphasised the importance of news agencies enhancing collaboration and sharing experience in the fight against fake news, disinformation, and unverified information; and in the application of AI in the production and dissemination of information, as well as effective management strategies to mitigate risks from using AI to create and spread false information.

They also stressed the need for VNA and AZERTAC to further promote collaboration in the context of rapid digital transformation of global media, and increase the exchange of new multimedia products to improve the effectiveness of promoting the images of their respective country’s land, people and culture as well as the potential and opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment and cultural exchange; and at the same time step up the exchange of reporters and technical staff to share experience in producing new types of information.

Noting that the effective cooperation between AZERTAC and VNA will make an important contribution to further deepening the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, they agreed to soon renew a collaboration agreement between the two news agencies.

ꦺ On this occasion, Nhung also held meetings with representatives of several news agencies that are partners of the Vietnam News Agency to discuss measures to effectively implement signed agreements and promote the signing of new ones./.