Non-aligned movement countries formed News Network to challenge Western dominance

Countries in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) established the Non-Aligned News Agencies Pool (NANAP) in 1975 to create a news exchange system independent of Western agencies.

During the mid-19th century, European news agencies like Reuters and Agence Havas established a cartel system that dominated international news distribution. As colonial empires collapsed in the 20th century, newly independent nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America began to question this concentration of power.

These nations sought to tell their own stories rather than relying on news mediated through Western capitals like London, Paris, or Washington, DC. The Non-Aligned Movement provided a framework for these countries to seek self-reliance. In the 1970s, these nations pushed for a New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO) to reduce dependence on Western media. This initiative aimed to treat information as a fundamental human right and establish direct channels for news exchange between developing nations.

The Yugoslav state media outlet Tanjug served as a primary backbone for the network, allowing journalists to share reports with other members of the Global South. The initiative faced significant hurdles, including conflicts between member nations and a lack of funding. In the 1980s, the United States and Great Britain withdrew from UNESCO after the organization published a report highlighting Western media monopolies. These funding cuts hindered the progress of media democratization.

While the original network eventually slowed down, its legacy continues through the NAM News Network and the rise of international broadcasters like Al Jazeera.