World's press condemns Zimbabwe repression

The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) has condemned “the repressive government policy against a free press in Zimbabwe” and has called on President Robert Mugabe to stop arresting and harassing journalists and to uphold international standards of freedom of expression in the country. 5 Jun 2007 14:57

Press freedom theme spotlighted

[Louise Marsland] While the theme of this year's World Association of Newspapers Congress and World Editors Forum centres on reshaping newspapers and the impact of digital, press freedom remains a current theme addressed by many speakers on the opening day, Monday, 3 June 2007, including South African President Thabo Mbeki and WAN president Gavin O'Reilly. 5 Jun 2007 11:09

Global newspaper circulation, advertising increases

Newspaper circulations world-wide rose 2.3% in 2006 while newspaper advertising revenues showed substantial gains, the World Association of Newspapers announced yesterday, Monday, 4 June 2007. WAN said global newspaper sales were up +2.3% over the year, and had increased +9.48% over the past five years. Newspaper sales increased year-on-year in Asia, Europe, Africa, South America, with North America the sole continent to register a decline. 5 Jun 2007 10:59

Three keys to 21st century media profitability

US newspaper executive Mark Contreras says three words have led his newspaper company to success that has exceeded wildest expectations – fragmentation, interactivity and accountability. Contreras, senior vice president: newspapers of The E.W. Scripps Company, was speaking on Monday, 3 June 2007 at the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) congress in Cape Town. 5 Jun 2007 10:48

Calls for African press freedom

Leaders of the world's press, meeting in South Africa this week, have called on African governments “as a matter of urgency” to abolish all laws that restrict press freedom, and have pledged to increase “aggressive and persistent campaigning against press freedom violations and restrictions in Africa”. 5 Jun 2007 10:39

Newspapers prospering despite themselves

[Chris Moerdyk] Newspapers are their own worst enemies, if statistics presented on the first day of the World Association of Newspapers Congress in Cape Town are anything to go by. Reporting on the state of the global newspaper industry, WAN chief executive Timothy Balding said that in spite of many media industry analysts sowing doom and gloom about falling newspaper circulations and drops in advertising revenue, this was an entirely wrong perception. 4 Jun 2007 18:39

Media freedom in Africa spotlighted

Media freedom in Africa was caught between ‘the hammer of the state and the anvil of the market', Zambian media analyst Fackson Banda told delegates on the first day of the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) conference and World Editor's Forum (WEF) which started in Cape Town, Sunday, 3 June 2007. 4 Jun 2007 11:06

Young readers trust newspapers

[Winnie Graham] Young readers trust newspapers more than other news sources. This was revealed at a Round Table on Youth Readership at the WAN conference in Cape Town, Sunday, 3 June 2007, when Dr Robert Barnard, an international media researcher, opened discussion on “winning strategies for engaging a new generation”. 4 Jun 2007 11:00

Murders, repression characterise press dangers

Nearly 60 journalists have been murdered in the past months, and prosecution of journalists for “treason” and “extremism” are on the rise, according to the annual half-year review of press freedom by the World Association of Newspapers. The report, presented Saturday, 2 June 2007, to the Board of the Paris-based WAN on the eve of the World Newspaper Congress and World Editors Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, painted a grim picture of attacks, imprisonment and murder facing journalists in many countries. 4 Jun 2007 10:25

World press descend upon Cape Town

An impressive 1600 delegates from no less than 105 countries descend upon the Mother City later this week for the African continent's inaugural hosting of the World Association of Newspapers Congress and World Editors Forum. This global meeting of the world's press, taking place between Sunday 3 and Wednesday 6 June 2007, has been noted by WAN spokesperson Larry Kilman as the second largest in WAN history after last year's Moscow-hosted congress. 31 May 2007 09:37

WAN award highlights press freedom

A Chinese journalist languishing in jail will be awarded the Golden Pen of Freedom Award at this year's World Association of Newspapers (WAN) Congress to be held in Cape Town next week, 3 – 6 June 2007 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. It is the first time that the WAN Congress will be held on the African continent and it is hoped that the award will draw attention to an issue which is so often disregarded by African governments. 29 May 2007 15:17

WAN congress to tackle newspaper 'threats'

The question of readership is of concern to publishers and editors around the world and when the World Association of Newspapers meets in Cape Town for the 60th annual newspaper conference next week, 3 – 6 June 2007, it will be looking at the future of newspapers – and the various elements that affect circulation. 29 May 2007 09:47

Newspaper congress to enjoy SA hospitality

Delegates to the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) Congress next week will enjoy not only four days of intense discussion at the Cape Town International Convention Centre but a number of special events designed to showcase the diversity and versatility of South Africa. 28 May 2007 09:15

Newspaper congress offers scoop for Brand SA

The World Association of Newspapers Congress in Cape Town next month offers a “fantastic opportunity” for Brand South Africa to show the world what it has achieved, according to the CEO of the International Marketing Council, Yvonne Johnstone. “The eyes of the world are on us, not just because of the 2010 World Cup,” she said. 25 May 2007 09:31