Sofia (VNA) – Thesixth News Agencies World Congress (NAWC) opened in the Bulgarian capital cityof Sofia on June 13, bringing together more than 200 delegates from nearly 100countries and territories around the world.

Deputy General Director ofthe Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Le Quoc Minh has participated in activitieswithin the framework of the congress.

Addressing the openingceremony, Director General of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) Maxim Minchevsaid news journalism is one of the last bastions of real and double-checkednews.

He underlined the need fornews agencies worldwide to accumulate synergy as the situation is changing veryquickly.

Discussions during the forumwill focus on fake news, artificial intelligence, the new models of ownershipof news agencies and the new sources of information, he said.

Bulgarian President RumenRadev said digitalisation has already changed the perception of the worldbecause information is in abundant supply but in reality it is the most scarcecommodity.

“Today, the truth is oftendrowned in fake news as speed takes precedence over credibility. Thedestructive effect of information now has the potential to be more dangerousthan bombs and missiles,” he warned.

The President lauded the organizersand delegates for their efforts in seeking solutions to new challenges facingnews agencies.

The NAWC is an internationalcongress for the world’s news agencies around the world, which was establishedin 2004 in Moscow with the purpose of ensuring and improving the members’ability to perform as key operators in the fast growing diversity of the globalmedia market.

The objectives of the NAWCare to strengthen unbiased news reporting, support the principle of freedom ofthe press and contribute to the general understanding of the news background.

The NAWCis held at least every three years. The News Agency World Council (NACO) isresponsible, in collaboration with the hosting news agency, for the structureof, and the program for, the forthcoming Congress.

Minchev told a VNAcorrespondent that the sixth congress is a forum to spread important messagesand share initiatives that can be rolled out globally thanks to news agencies.

During the event,participants will discuss challenges in the new era and pressing issues inculture, tourism, social media and traditional press in the 21st century, he said.

The BTA leader expressed hishope to enhance cooperation with the VNA through joint projects between the twoagencies as well as the two countries.

On June 12, VNA DeputyGeneral Director Le Quoc Minh had a working session with Vietnamese Ambassadorto Bulgaria Doan Tuan Linh, who said the information work plays an importantrole in promoting relations between the two nations.

Applauding the VNA’s role inthis regard, the diplomat hoped that the agency will help the embassy with thepublication of a special photo book in Vietnamese, Bulgarian and Englishlanguages, and the organisation of photo exhibitions to mark the 70th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Bulgaria diplomatic ties (February 8, 1950-2020).

Minh said the VNA has sufficientexperience and capacity and stands ready to coordinate with relevant agenciesto help the embassy carry out the initiatives.-VNA