The International Press Institute (IPI) and the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) today announced an agreement for increased collaboration between the two organizations.  In the jointly issued press release, IPI Executive Director Alison McKenzie welcomed the move, noting that it would bolster efforts by the two organizations to “continue helping journalists around the world report freely.”  The full text of the press release follows:

IPI, WAN-IFRA To Increase Cooperation

The two leading international organisations for the world’s press – the International Press Institute (IPI) and the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) – have agreed to further their cooperation on projects to benefit press freedom and the development of independent media worldwide.

The agreement between IPI and WAN-IFRA calls for exploring the possibilities for increased cooperation in areas including:

– Joint statements and letters in response to press freedom violations and concerns;

– Joint monitoring, information sharing and action on a ‘hotlist’ of top concern countries;

– More frequent joint press freedom missions, with concomitant sharing of planning and report-drafting burdens;

– Sharing resources in the hosting of media training workshops, specifically in the domain of publisher training, given the expertise of WAN-IFRA in this area;

– Joint fundraising.

IPI Executive Director Alison Bethel McKenzie said: “We are very happy to be embarking on this path of closer cooperation with WAN-IFRA, a renowned organisation with which we share a long, respected history of defending and promoting press freedom. This agreement immeasurably strengthens both our organisations in their quest to continue helping journalists around the world report freely.”

Larry Kilman, Deputy CEO of WAN-IFRA, said: “This agreement recognises that WAN-IFRA and IPI share many of the same members and goals. Cooperation between global organisations to further press freedom and develop sustainable independent media is in everybody’s best interest. We’ve long worked together with IPI on common projects, and are delighted to be working even more closely with such an effective and respected organisation.”

IPI, based in Vienna, Austria, is a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists dedicated to the furtherance and safeguarding of press freedom, the protection of freedom of opinion and expression, the promotion of the free flow of news and information, and the improvement of the practices of journalism.

WAN-IFRA, based in Paris, France, and Darmstadt, Germany, with subsidiaries in Singapore, India, Spain, France and Sweden, is the global organisation of the world’s newspapers and news publishers. It represents more than 18,000 publications, 15,000 online sites and over 3,000 companies in more than 120 countries. Its core mission is to defend and promote press freedom, quality journalism and editorial integrity and the development of prosperous businesses.

Inquiries to:

Anthony Mills, Acting Deputy Director,
International Press Institute, Spiegelgasse 2, A-1010 Vienna Austria.
Tel: + 43 1 512 90 11. Mobile: +43 0676 963 83 15.
E-mail: [email protected]

Larry Kilman, Director of Communications and Public Affairs,
WAN-IFRA, 96 bis, rue Beaubourg, 75003 Paris France.
Tel: +33 1 47 42 85 07. Fax: +33 1 42 78 92 33. Mobile: +33 6 10 28 97 36.
E-mail: [email protected]

Bruce Blake, Manager of Communications and Philanthropic Enterprise,
International Press Institute, Spiegelgasse 2,  A-1010 Vienna Austria.
Tel: + 43 1 512 90 11,
E-mail: [email protected]