Sputnik news agency eyes expansion in SE Asia
MOSCOW — Moscow-based international news agency, Sputnik News Agency and Radio, is looking to expand its newswire and radio services to Southeast Asia in the near future, a top official said.
Sputnik Head of International Projects Vasily Pushkov said Thursday this development comes given the growing demand for the agency’s alternative news content and radio broadcasts from a wider audien ce.
“Sputnik is looking for an audience and audience is connected to global population. Sputnik is already strengthening (its) position in countries like India and China,” Pushkov said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
“Next, I’m thinking our main focus will be countries like Indonesia or Malaysia or (the) Philippines for that matter,” he added but did not give details yet on what their expansion plans would cover.
Pushkov pointed out that the Philippines is one of the options since English is widely spoken in the country.
“The English language is very well spoken in the country (Philippines). I think that as soon as we decide it’s time to move on, there will be a very serious discussion about where to move on first,” Pushkov said, noting that there is still no timeline as agency officials are still in talks.
Sputnik has regional offices in the United States (Washington, DC), China (Beijing), France (Paris), Germany (Berlin), Egypt (Cairo), and the UK (London and Edinburgh), according to its website.
The news agency also offers round-theclock newswire services in English, Spanish, Arabic and Ch i n ese.
Last year, Sputnik signed a cooperation agreement with the Indonesian broadcasting company, Radio Republik Indonesia, and the Internet portal of one of the leading regional publications, JawaPos.
It also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Malaysian National New s Agen cy (Bernama) on news exchange to broaden cooperation in the media sphere between the two countries.
The news agency, however, has yet to sign any deal with the Philippines.
The Sputnik brand was launched on Nov. 10, 2014, by the Russian media group, Rossiya Segodnya.
It currently works in more than 30 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Arabic, and Chinese. (PNA)