News agencies urged to adapt to media convergence era

ANTARA President Director Ahmad Muchlis Yusuf said the news agency had no other choice but to look at the market potentials and demand for its products to withstand competition in the era of media convergence.

So far, there has been tendency to develop a combination of print, audio and visual media. "This requires news agencies to be more proactive and to adapt to latest developments in information technology," he said.

Muhammad Alwi Dahlan, communications professor of the University of Indonesia (UI), said a better knowledge of the rapidly growing information technology is a prerequisite to pave the way for the agenda of news agencies` reforms.

The 13th OANA General Assembly which will last from Dec 9 to 14 is themed "News Agencies in the Media Convergence Era: Strengthening and Promoting Asia Pacific Voices".