The third session of the World Council of News Agencies opened here on Friday, Itar-Tass reported. The three-day forum brought together 32 delegates from 21 countries. Taking part in it, aside from news agencies, are leaders of large regional information pools, such as the European Alliance of Press Agencies, the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies, the Federation of Arab News Agencies, the Black Sea Association of National News Agencies, the Association of CIS National News Agencies, and the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies. Itar-Tass Director General Vitaly Ignatenko, who heads the forum's organizing committee, noted that "access to information, safety of journalists, the problem of monopolized activities of news agencies and the appearance and launching of new technologies" should top the agenda of the Council. "These and many other issues are worrying the world community of news agencies. We have much to discuss and exchange opinions about," Ignatenko said. The World Council of News Agencies is worldwide organization bringing together more than 120 countries. It was set up per decision by the World Congress of News Agencies in Moscow in 2004, attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The second meeting of the Council took place in Sofia last year.
