Cabinet gives ex-post facto nod for SCO agreement on mass media cooperation

Cabinet gives ex-post facto nod for SCO agreement on mass media cooperation

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – International Relations 

In news

• The Union Cabinet has approved the ratification of an Agreement on “Cooperation in the field of Mass Media” between all the Member States of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. 
• The Agreement was signed in June, 2019.

About the Agreement on “Cooperation in the field of Mass Media” 

• Aim: To promote equal and mutually beneficial cooperation among associations in the field of mass media.
• It would provide an opportunity to the member states to share best practices and new innovations 
• The main area of cooperation is the creation of favorable conditions for wide and mutual distribution of information through mass media 
• It will provide mutual assistance in training media professionals 

Why does the news matter?

• Mass media inform, educate and entertain people. 
• They influence the way people look at the world and make them change their views. 
• They help in organizing public opinion.

Important value additions

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) 

• The SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation. 
• It is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance
• Established in: 2001.
• Supreme decision-making body: Heads of State Council (HSC) 
• It meets once a Year . 
• Two permanent bodies:
  • SCO Secretariat based in Beijing.
  • Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) based in Tashkent.