Jakarta – Mehr Media Group (comprised of Mehr’s news agency and the English language Daily Tehran Times) has been in discussions with Indonesia’s national news agency Antara to expand journalistic and media collaboration.
This engagement includes discussions on the exchange of news and expertise knowledge under the organizational framework of the Asia-Pacific News Agency (OANA), but represents the first step in creating a MOU and developing joint activities between the two political parties.
Antara editor Teguh Priyanto and Yuni Arisandy, head of international press at the agency, in discussions with the R&D director of Mehr Media and Tehran Times Reporter, highlighted the importance of expanding cooperation with all foreign media groups, including Mehr Media Group. They described this dialogue as a starting point for future expert and news-related interactions.
The expansion of Antara’s news network and regional office, Teguh Priyanto, highlights the broad structure of Antara across Indonesia, saying that “with offices and news correspondents in every state of Indonesia, we can provide accurate and timely compensation.” He added that Antara employs nearly 500 staff in its national and international offices.
Structure and international activities
Yuni Arisandy said, “Through a wide network of state offices and professional teams, Antara maintains professional journalistic standards across all units, whilst ensuring comprehensive coverage of Indonesia’s national and international news.”
Development of international cooperation with Tehran Times and Mehr Media Group
The managing editor of Antara also commented on his collaboration with Iranian media. “We are currently maintaining communication with the IRNA and are ready to formalise the media agreements with the Mehr Media Group and the Tehran Times,” he added, “Antara will have discussions with senior management to implement these agreements.”
Priyanto also noted Antara’s membership in the OANA Media Network, saying, “This membership and international collaboration allow for rapid and accurate news sharing, increasing transparency and diversity in news in the region. Such collaboration not only promotes news exchange, but also contributes to the advancement of journalist professional training and journalistic standards.”
The Tehran Times Reporter also highlights the OANA membership of the Mehr Media Group, with both parties emphasizing the expansion of media cooperation within this framework.
Palestinian Issues and Expert Exchange
Priyanto referred to the issue of Palestinian, saying, “I am interested in holding specialized sessions on this topic and exchanging experts with partner media. The Tehran Times Reporter has also expressed his presence in the preparation for developing collaborative scientific and news collaborations in this field.”
Historical background and Antara’s iconic headquarters
Regarding Antara’s historical background, Priyanto said: “Antara has been one of Indonesia’s trustworthy news sources for over 80 years. From its founding in 1937, the publication of Indonesia’s Declaration of Independence, to its development into a national news agency, Antara has always provided accurate and timely news to the public.”
He also described Antara’s historic headquarters as follows: “Situated in the Pasarvar region of Jakarta, Antaraville is one of the country’s historic landmarks. It was built in the office of the Aneta Communications Agency during the Dutch colonial era, and became the centre of Antara after independence and is now recognized as the Antara Museum.
Focus on innovation and the future
The managing editor states, “The current focus is to combine historical experience with innovation to expand our international cooperation networks and continue to be a reliable source of national and international news in the digital age.”
Antara’s International Press Director Uni Alisandy provided an explanation during his visit to the agency’s overall structure, the area of activity, a network of national and international offices, and the historic building that has now been converted into the Antara Museum.