Digital journalists' group Online News Association is launching into Asia with a gettogether planned for early March.

The ONA Singapore group plans to connect connecting like-minded professionals working in digital journalism across the island state. A first meeting is being held on March 9 at Sabio on Duxton Hill... and of course, there's an opportunity to link up online, via Meetup, http://www.meetup.com/ONA-Singapore.

Coordinating the group are journalists Alan Soon, Asha Phillips and Janie Octia, all of whom have connections with Yahoo in Singapore.

A media veteran with a passionate interest in the future of the news industry, Soon leads Yahoo's southeast Asia and India editorial teams as managing editor. Australian Asha Phillips runs her own social media news consulting firm Verily, and has taught numerous journalists, editors and students about handling social content, especially validation of UGC. A pioneering editor at Storyful, she now works as an editor at Yahoo.

Third member of the ONA team is Janie Octia, who started as a journalist before moving to be editorial operations manager for Yahoo Southeast Asia and India.

With its origins 16 years ago in the USA, nonprofit member group ONA holds events, training and seminars across the world. Global membership if $150 for three years (see http://journalists.org/about/mission/)

"We're keen to hear from prospective members and learn what they expect from ONA Singapore," says Asha Phillips, "whether that's informal meet ups, seminars, presentations or an online knowledge base.

"Our Singapore group is for anyone working in news and digital - photographers, journalists, editors, news managers, startups, traditional media etc. Besides networking events, we hope to bring seminars, training and panel discussions and welcome ideas for such events."

Email singapore@journalists.org to get involved or follow the group on Twitter @ONASingapore @alansoon @ashaphillips @janieoctia

Pictured (from left): Janie Octia, Asha Phillips and Alan Soon