Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Monday, April 24, formally launched the redesigned website and mobile application of the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
“During my recent visits to China, Malaysia, and Bahrain, I saw the cutting edge technology in the newsrooms of Xinhua News, Bernama, and Bahrain News Agency—the counterparts of PNA abroad. They have coped with the changing tides of the time and are setting the bar in technological advancement,” Secretary Andanar said.
The Presidential Communications Chief added that he was all the more inspired to “effect changes” to the PNA because he saw the dedication of its personnel to “disseminate timely, reliable, and relevant news stories to the public” despite of the agency’s “meager resources”.
“The neglect of PNA is a thing of the past now. In this administration, PNA will be given the much-needed attention and support to overhaul and modernize its operations starting with the launch of its website interface design,” Andanar underscored.
From a text-heavy format and static file, the newly revamped PNA website now has a more user-friendly and interactive interface, while the PNA mobile application, which is available on Android and iOS, offers users quick and easy access to the latest news and information using their smart phones.
Part of the total makeover of the country’s official news agency, Andanar continued, is the planned renovation of PNA’s central office in Quezon City and construction of state-of-the-art facilities that house a modern news television studio and high-tech teledub audio booth this year.
“PTV under its modernization plan to digitize or digitalize the broadcast will have four sub-channels. And one of the sub-channels will be dedicated to the Philippine News Agency. PNA will have its own newscast of digital TV and own newscast on digital online,” the Communications Chief disclosed, adding that the PNA will also have its own audio recordings for audio news that require the installation of a teledub.
These facilities are expected to boost PNA’s delivery of relevant news and information on the various programs and advocacies of the government to Filipinos here and abroad.
PNA is part of the substantive coverage of Presidential activities. Currently, it is also one of the lead agencies in covering the meetings of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit being held here in the Philippines. ###PCO-Content
