MOSCOW, September 21. /TASS/. The Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) and the Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN) have signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation on advancing fact-checking, a TASS correspondent reports.

The signing took place on the sidelines of a media forum dedicated to the 65th OANA anniversary.

The document provides for fostering information exchange and coordinating efforts to strengthen professional fact-checking as an institution. The parties also intend to cooperate to improve the qualifications of specialists studying at relevant educational institutions.

The OANA Media Forum in Moscow is taking place in the year marking the 65th anniversary of the organization, which brings together 41 news agencies from 33 countries.

The forum is organized by TASS, which will chair OANA until 2028. TASS General Director Andrey Kondrashov heads the organization, while TASS Deputy Director General Marat Abulkhatin is OANA’s secretary general.

The GFCN comprises experts and fact-checking organizations from around the world. The association was established by TASS news agency, the ANO Dialogue Regions, and the Workshop of New Media to combat disinformation. More than 125 journalists from 55 countries are already working with GFCN, collaborating on fact-checking.