World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers

Founded in 1948, The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) saw itself as a worldwide umbrella organization of 72 national newspaper associations. Furthermore, among her numerous boards of newspapers in more than 100 countries and some news agencies as members. In 2009, merged with IFRA WAN -IFRA.

The WAN describes its objectives as

• Defense of press freedom and the economic independence of newspapers
• Strips of a contribution to the development of the newspaper industry by promoting communication between newspapers around the world
• Promotion of cooperation between the member organizations

The WAN has its headquarters in Paris.

Since February 1, Christoph Riess Group Chief Executive is the common industry association for newspapers and news media. WAN -IFRA, which is a merger since mid-2009, consisting of WAN ( World Association of Newspapers, based in Paris) and IFRA is (based in Darmstadt), has the primary objective of the newspapers and the entire news publishing industry worldwide, particularly their members in the defense and promotion of press freedom, quality journalism and editorial integrity and the development of prosperous businesses and technology an indispensable partner to be.

The WAN -IFRA awards annually since 1961 Golden Pen of Freedom Award. 2011 laureate was the eritreischstämmige Swedish journalist Dawit Isaak.