TASS

TASS is the Russian state news agency and one of the largest news agencies in the world. It distributes politics, economy, society, and culture reporting and operates in multiple languages, with English-language services widely used abroad. Its wire service, archives, and multimedia products are distributed to media outlets, businesses, and government bodies.

The agency traces its origins to 1904, when it began as the St. Petersburg Telegraph Agency. During the Soviet era it became the Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union (TASS), serving as the official mouthpiece of the Soviet government and a central conduit for news to domestic and international audiences.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the agency was reorganized as ITAR-TASS, standing for Information Telegraph Agency of Russia. In the years that followed it gradually restored the TASS branding and today operates primarily under the TASS name. As a state-owned enterprise, it remains closely linked to the Russian government and the broader state media system.

Headquartered in Moscow, TASS maintains a global network of bureaux, editors, and correspondents. It provides daily news feeds, press releases, photos, and video content to outlets around the world. The agency is a major source for official Russian statements and events and is frequently cited by other media outlets seeking information on Russian affairs. While its reporting reflects the perspectives of the Russian state, it also covers international news through its multilingual services and international partnerships.