WAN-Ifra’s World News Media Congress in Taipei is being moved to secure plans for a “vibrant, safe event”

The new date is December 1-3, from September 28-30.

WAN-Ifra says the prospect of an easing of international travel restrictions as COVID-19 vaccinations increase has prompted the decision.

“As everyone has been reminding us, great things happen when the community comes together and connects at the World News Media Congress for much needed, face-to-face discussions about the future of our industry,” said chief executive Vincent Peyrègne. “By moving the event to later in the year, we are increasing the chances of holding a vibrant and safe event. We are hopeful that by December, travel restrictions will have eased.”

Taiwan has managed the pandemic well through a mix of early and effective prevention and border controls. Its highly-digitised population of almost 24 million people embrace technology and innovation, which has helped the government track and contain the spread of the virus.

The World News Media Congress is WAN-Ifra’s annual meeting of news publishers, editors and owners from all over the world, and is hosted in a different city each year. The 2019 Congress in Glasgow drew around 900 people from more than 60 countries for three days of conferences, executive meetings, networking, and social events. This will be the third time the event will be held in Asia, after Bangkok in 2013 and India in 2009.

WAN-Ifra says it continues to work with local host partner United Daily News Group and the Taiwan Tourism Bureau to ensure a safe three-day event. The World News Media Congress will include the 2nd World Media Leaders Summit, 28th World Editors Forum and the 5th Women in News Summit. For more information and regular updates, visit the event website.