The term MERGED NEWS AGENCY is a reference to the TASS news agency, which is the largest news agency in Russia. It was formed in 1992 when two of the country's leading news agencies, ITAR-TASS and RIA Novosti, merged together. TASS is responsible for providing news and information to media outlets, government agencies, and other organizations in Russia and abroad. It also produces content for its own website and publishes books and magazines.