The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, has announced that its 68th World Congress and General Assembly will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from June 4 to 6, 2019 in partnership with the EBU.

The World Congress is IPI’s flagship event and a top international forum for issues related to media freedom and quality journalism, gathering more than 300 leading media professionals each year.

“I am delighted that IPI’s 2019 World Congress will take place in Switzerland, where IPI was based in its formative early years”, IPI Executive Board Chair Markus Spillmann, a prominent Swiss media expert and former editor-in-chief of the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, said.

“The IPI World Congress allows editors, publishers and journalists with a shared dedication to quality journalism to exchange experiences and discuss common challenges in bringing news to the public. As global political trends continue to cast a shadow over our profession, the opportunity for journalists with common values to unite is more valuable than ever.”

He added: “It is a particular pleasure for IPI to partner with the EBU at a time in which the fight for strong and independent public service broadcasters is essential to preserving democratic, informed societies.”

“Journalism has never been more critical to society and to democracy. That is why it is so important that we come together as an industry to reflect on our place in the world and learn from each other’s experiences”, EBU Director General Noel Curran said.

“The IPI World Congress is a chance for all media – both public service and commercial – to come together to seek common ground and reinforce the important role of high-quality, independent journalism and we are delighted to support it.”

Established in 1950, in the aftermath of the Second World War by 34 editors from 15 countries, IPI was founded on the belief that a free press will contribute to a better world. Today, with members in nearly 100 countries, IPI brings together media representatives from digital, print and broadcast outlets to address press freedom challenges and to promote independent journalism as a core pillar of democracy.

IPI’s 2018 World Congress was held in Abuja, Nigeria under the theme “Why Good Journalism Matters” and opened by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. Recent congresses were held in Hamburg, Germany; Yangon, Myanmar; and Cape Town, South Africa. In addition to top editors and journalists, prominent past speakers at IPI Congresses include Nobel Prize laureates and numerous heads of state and government.