WAN-IFRA: Why we're going to Kiev

In a letter to WAN-IFRA members, president Jacob Mathew called on the international media community to show its solidarity with the independent press in Ukraine at WAN-IFRA's World Newspaper Congress, World Editors Forum and Info Services Expo 2012, to be held in Kiev from 2 to 5 September next.

With some European leaders intending to boycott the Euro football championship matches in Ukraine this summer, WAN-IFRA has been asked whether it is appropriate to bring its annual meetings to Kiev.

"We are going to Kiev to stand in solidarity with the local independent press, which struggles daily under great pressure, often in isolation," Mr Mathew said.

An opportunity to share

"By holding our events in Kiev, we will provide them with an opportunity to share their experiences with the international newspaper community, allow them to benefit from international best practices, provide training opportunities, and offer moral support," he said, noting the events are hosted by the two major Ukrainian newspaper associations, the Ukrainian Association of Press Publishers and the Independent Regional Press Publishers of Ukraine.

The events also offer opportunities to engage with the authorities and draw global attention to the problems, said the letter, which can be read in full at: http://www.wan-ifra.org/node/59050.

"For these reasons and more, I would like to invite you to join us in Kiev, not only to benefit from the presentations, networking and discussions, but to add your voice to those upholding media freedom in the country, the letter said.

More than 1000 publishers, chief editors, managing directors, CEOs and other senior newspaper executives are expected in Kiev for the Congress, Forum and Info Services Expo, the global summit meetings of the world's press. Full details can be found at http://www.wan-ifra.org/kiev2012.