World Association of Newspapers
Encyclopedia
The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization
made up of 76 national newspaper
associations, 12 news agencies, 10 regional press organisations and individual newspaper executives in 100 countries. The association was founded in 1948 and, as of 2011, represented more than 18,000 publications globally.
WAN's objectives are to defend and to promote freedom of the press
, to support the development of newspaper publishing
, and to foster global co-operation. It has provided consultation for UNESCO
, the United Nations
and the Council of Europe
.
or media organisation that has made an outstanding contribution to the defence and promotion of freedom of the press.
, Chief Operating Officer of Ireland-based Independent News and Media plc; and the Treasurer is Fred Arp, Chief Financial Officer at Telegraaf Media Group in the Netherlands.
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
made up of 76 national newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
associations, 12 news agencies, 10 regional press organisations and individual newspaper executives in 100 countries. The association was founded in 1948 and, as of 2011, represented more than 18,000 publications globally.
WAN's objectives are to defend and to promote freedom of the press
Freedom of the press
Freedom of the press or freedom of the media is the freedom of communication and expression through vehicles including various electronic media and published materials...
, to support the development of newspaper publishing
Publishing
Publishing is the process of production and dissemination of literature or information—the activity of making information available to the general public...
, and to foster global co-operation. It has provided consultation for UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
, the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
.
Award
WAN administers the annual Golden Pen of Freedom Award to recognize a journalistJournalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
or media organisation that has made an outstanding contribution to the defence and promotion of freedom of the press.
Monitoring Killed Journalists
Since 1998, WAN has maintained annual tallies of media employees killed around the world. The worst year on record is 2006, when 110 media employees died in the line of duty.Executive officers
The Chief Executive Officer is Christoph Riess; the President of WAN is Gavin O'ReillyGavin O'Reilly
Gavin Karl O'Reilly is a Dublin-born businessman with Irish and Australian citizenship, the second son and fourth child of Irish media magnate Tony O'Reilly and Australian Susan Cameron...
, Chief Operating Officer of Ireland-based Independent News and Media plc; and the Treasurer is Fred Arp, Chief Financial Officer at Telegraaf Media Group in the Netherlands.