WAN-IFRA is organising the event in cooperation with the publishing group Henneo and Zaragoza Tourismo. Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Spain, are Honorary Presidents of the Congress. With 800 media executives and editors expected to attend and close to 100 speakers, the Congress is set for an exceptional event for its return to face-to-face format. Spread over three days, the programme includes three main conventions and various fora, including the World Media Leaders Summit, the World Editors Summit, and the Women in News Summit.
There will be a strong emphasis on finding formulas to safeguard the future of independent news publishing. Publishers will share successful reader revenue strategies incorporating strong product thinking focus and innovative advertising solutions. Congress-goers will also address worrying challenges to press freedom around the world, and get behind initiatives to promote greater diversity and inclusion within news organisations and in their journalism.
“We have invited close to 100 speakers from leading news organisations to discuss their strategies and solutions to get their media businesses onto a sustainable footing. This is vital as we gather at a time of increased socio-political division and economic strain,” said Vincent Peyrègne, CEO of the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). “The unprecedented challenges we face, for many the gravest since the Second World War, call for solidarity. Support for press freedom is also needed to ensure independent journalism and news media can continue playing their role,” continued Peyrègne.
For WAN-IFRA President Fernando de Yarza López-Madrazo, hosting the Congress in his home city of Zaragoza is significant. “Ever since I was elected to lead WAN-IFRA in 2019, I have wanted to share Aragon with the global media community, and show the vitality of independent local media. But the pandemic disrupted our plan,” said de Yarza. “This year, we are finally set for an exceptional event and a great attendance under the presidency of a great defender of a free, independent, diverse and plural media ecosystem worldwide, the King of Spain, HM Felipe VI,” added Fernando de Yarza.
About
WAN-IFRA (World Association of News Publishers) is the global organisation of the world’s press, comprising 3,000 news publishers and technology companies and 60 national publishers’ associations representing 18,000 publications in 120 countries. With a mission protect the rights of journalists and publishers around the world to operate independent media, WAN-IFRA provides its members with expertise and services to innovate and prosper in a digital world and perform their crucial role in society. wan-ifra.org
The 73rd World News Media Congress (WNMC), taking place 28th-30th September 2022 in Zaragoza, Spain is organised by WAN-IFRA – the World Association of News Publishers, in collaboration with the Henneo publishing group, the Government of Aragón, and Zaragoza Turismo. WNMC is the leading annual event for media leaders, bringing together 1,000 editors and media executives to discuss challenges and opportunities for the global news media industry. Over three days, the programme includes forums such as the World Media Leaders Summit, the World Editors Forum, the Women in News Summit, and the Golden Pen of Freedom award.