The World Association of News Publishers, or WAN-IFRA, is the global organisation of the world’s press. Our mission is to protect the rights of journalists and publishers around the world to operate independent media. We provide our members with expertise and services to innovate and prosper in a digital world and perform their crucial role in society.
WAN-IFRA derives its authority from its global network of 3,000 news publishing companies and technology entrepreneurs, and its legitimacy from its 60 member publisher associations representing 18,000 publications in 120 countries.
Since its foundation in 1948, WAN-IFRA has always been committed to fostering international business cooperation among publishers; sharing best practices in both business and technology; working as a representative trade body to elaborate and advance quality standards in the production workflow and business value chain; and engage with public authorities, institutions, and other trade bodies to promote press freedom and advocate for the independence of news media organisations.
WAN-IFRA serves as a knowledge hub and a leading global resource for Media Leaders, Editors and Journalists, Digital revenue Managers, Product and Technology Officers, Printing and Production Executives, News Publisher Association Directors, Media-Tech Entrepreneurs and Service Providers with three focus areas: Press Freedom and Journalism, Media Sustainability, and Media Innovation. Every year, more than 10,000 media professionals working in 3,500 news organisations, technology enterprises and trade bodies use WAN-IFRA services.
Our mission is to protect the rights of journalists and publishers around the world to operate independent media. We provide our members with expertise and services to innovate and prosper in a digital world and perform their crucial role in society.
Our vision is to be the trusted global partner for news media at the forefront of press freedom, quality journalism, innovative and sustainable business and technology models.
Our Values
Everything we do is because we believe that freedom of expression is a fundamental right and a touchstone for all our freedoms, and press freedom, enhanced by viable news media business models, is one of its fundamental pillars.
Driven by members, publishers, associations and technology suppliers, we believe in solidarity in action and community commitment, and we draw on the collective pool of strengths and skills to the benefit of each member of our community.
We are passionate about the future of news, through the promotion of a free press, quality journalism, editorial integrity and adoption of these values by new generations,
We believe that business sustainability is the best guarantee for publishers to remain independent and contribute to freedom of expression in open societies.
We are solution-driven, delivering services where members can find answers to their challenges.
We have the ability to deal with uncertainty. We are proactive and a driver of new business models, with a holistic point of view and a sense of urgency.
We are committed to curiosity, open innovation and networking, sharing professional knowledge inside and outside the organisation. We champion diversity and promote integrity in all we do.
WAN-IFRA is the world’s largest trade organisation for news publishers and a leading provider of real-time business and strategic intelligence services to news publishers and their technology partners around the globe. WAN-IFRA brings you a healthy perspective on the many collective challenges facing our industry. We drive the global conversation on the future of independent news publishing in three focus areas that impact the news ecosystem worldwide:
PRESS FREEDOM AND JOURNALISM. We protect the rights of journalists and publishers to operate a free media, and promote editorial quality and professional practice.
MEDIA SUSTAINABILITY. We provide our members at all stages of development with innovative and professional services to help their businesses prosper.
MEDIA INNOVATION. We provide our members with new ideas and applied research by bringing the outside in, looking beyond what is already known.
What We Do
The exponential growth and adoption of consumer technologies drives new news media consumption patterns and forces publishers to react and adjust their businesses rapidly. WAN-IFRA supports this transformation by delivering four main services:
Innovation and business development. With dedicated platforms and marketplaces like the Global Alliance for Media Innovation, or our advisory services and training programmes to individual company members;
News and Insights with strategic, and market insights with print and online publications, special reports, white papers, and online targeted resources.
Networking Weave with business peers around the world, learn from success and failures, share business strategies, and connect emerging themes and insights. You will harvest ways to better perform, and speed up your decision-making.
Advocacy on major global media policy issues that impact the independence of the press. We promote common principles and important values that contribute to an inclusive, multi-stakeholder, effective, legitimate, and evolving global Internet governance framework.
Our Legacy
WAN (then FIEJ) was founded in 1948. At the end of the Second World War, the newspaper industries of the belligerent nations lay, in some cases, in ruins, in other cases deprived of the means to re-establish their independence and economic viability. The founders of FIEJ set out with the triple objective of seeking international commitments and guarantees to safeguard freedom of expression, ensuring the renewed availability of the means of newspaper production, and creating a new dialogue and exchange of information and ideas between representatives of the newspaper community world-wide.
IFRA (then INCA) was established in 1961 to uphold newspaper printing technology at its high level and to promote further development to the greatest possible extent through the mutual exchange of experience and jointly financed research projects. INCA’s founders aspired to create an association that prevails “a frankness, honesty and earnest desire for progress and co-operation, where technical and commercial experiences are freely exchanged and where feelings and consideration of competition are forgotten.”
In 2009, the two associations merged to create WAN-IFRA, the World Association of News Publishers.
In today’s ever-evolving media landscape, WAN-IFRA continues to stand as a beacon of integrity and progress. With a rich history dating back to 1948, the organization has weathered countless changes while staying grounded in its core values. Upholding the belief that freedom of information is the lifeblood of journalism, WAN-IFRA remains committed to supporting a thriving, diverse and sustainable business for the news. As we look to the future, the need for sustainable and innovative practices has never been more pressing. Embracing new technologies, fostering collaboration, and championing ethical journalism are all part of WAN-IFRA’s ongoing mission. By staying true to its roots and embracing change, WAN-IFRA ensures that the global press can continue to serve as a vital force for truth and democracy in the years to come. Learn more about the milestones in WAN-IFRA’s history since its creation in 1948.
The World News Media Congress is the annual meeting of news publishers, editors and owners from all over the world. It is hosted in a different city each year.
