The World Association of Newspapers has decided to postpone its World Newspaper Congress, World Editors Forum and Info Services Expo, which was scheduled to be held in Hyderabad, India from 22 to 25 March, because of the impact of the global financial downturn on newspaper companies.
Timothy Balding, CEO of the World Association of Newspapers, says, “These events have been hugely successful in recent years, with growing participation and great programmes. We want our first congress and forum in India, the world’s biggest democracy and a flourishing press market, to continue this trend. But the economic conditions simply don’t allow that at this precise moment. The economic crisis has hit travel and conference budgets, and has had a profound impact on participation in the events.”The event, hosted by the Indian Newspaper Society, is now rescheduled for 30 November to 3 December, subject to confirmation. Organisers say that last year’s event drew more than 1,800 participants from 113 countries to Göteborg, Sweden, a record for the 61-year old conference.
Balding expressed optimism that the expo will receive growing support as the year wears on. He concluded, “Our belief is that newspaper companies will, by necessity, learn to live with the crisis over the year and be more willing to invest again in conferences and travel by the end of the year.”
