The International Press Institute (IPI) will hold its annual World Congress in Taipei, Republic of China (Taiwan), from 24-27 September 2011, the organisation today officially announced.

The 2011 World Congress will mark the return of IPI’s annual event to East Asia after 12 years, when the world’s media community convened in Taipei in 1999.

Themed “The Asian Media Century? 21st Century Developments from New Technologies to Press Freedom,” the three-day conference will focus attention on developments in Asia in general and East Asia in particular, with a special emphasis on cross-Strait relations; China’s rise to power and the implications for global competition – as well as for human rights – in a multi-polar world; and topics more closely focussed on press freedom and the media industry in general, including covering development aid and corruption; using the Internet as a research tool for investigative journalism; and crisis management and the media.

The Congress, to be held at the Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Taipei, will also examine how media outlets are coping with financial and other restrictions by doing more with less; innovations in political cartooning and their influence on freedom of expression and press freedom; and newsroom technology innovations that are changing the way journalists work.

For the second time, IPI will also hold – parallel to the Congress – a “New Media & High-Tech Innovations Exhibition”, showcasing the latest in innovative media technology and information platforms.

“Taiwan’s geo-political and geo-strategic importance, as well as its thriving cultural scene and growing global technology presence, make Taipei the ideal place to engage in relevant topics that impact your work, learn more about the newest media technologies on the market, and network with media professionals from around the world,” said IPI Acting Director Alison Bethel McKenzie.

As always, the IPI World Congress will feature a high-profile roster of speakers from print, broadcast and new media organisations, as well as renowned figures from the fields of politics, business and academia. Over the next few weeks, IPI will be announcing the latest additions to its stellar line-up of moderators, speakers and panellists.

The 2011 IPI World Congress in Taipei is expected to draw over 400 participants and their guests from around the world.

IPI’s partners for the Congress include the United Daily News Group, one of Taiwan’s biggest independent, privately-owned news media, and the Government Information Office (GIO) of the Republic of China (Taiwan).

For more information and to register, visit the official Congress website, www.ipiworldcongress.com