World Newspaper Congress To Visit South Africa In 2007
bY I-JNET

For the first time, the world’s major newspaper industry group will hold its annual meeting in Africa. The Newspaper Association of South Africa recently won a bid to host the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) annual congress next year.

The groups say they expect more than 1,300 delegates for the event, planned for June 3 to 6, 2007, in Cape Town. Natasha Volans, general manager of the South African association, told the RAP 21 network that she hoped the conference would focus on issues specifically relevant to an African audience.

“The Newspaper Association of South Africa would like to see included on the agenda issues which are relevant to Africa,” she said. “I think some of the issues relevant to African editors are issues around reporting on race and gender, and possibly media diversity.”

This year’s WAN Newspaper Congress is scheduled for June 4 to 7 in Moscow, Russia. The main theme is the future of newspapers, including technological innovations, business models and digital media. Expected speakers include Russian President Vladimir Putin.

For more information contact WAN at contact_us@wan.asso.fr, or visit http://www.wan-press.org/article8702.html.