These three leading figures in newspapers, mobile telephones and the internet will confront the major issues facing media today in a keynote session at the WEF summit, to be held concurrently with the World Newspaper Congress and Info Services Expo 2004 in Istanbul, Turkey, from 30 May to 2 June.

"By bringing together newspapers, mobiles and the internet, we hope to provide editors with some ideas about where their business is headed, and the opportunities that can arise," said Bertrand Pecquerie, Director of the WEF.

The question they will be asked is: "Do we need to reinvent journalism - and newspapers?"

"The speed of online news, and its relevance to an audience that likes to personalise its news, makes it a factor that newspapers must respond to if they are to thrive," says Mr Wright, a former newspaperman who helped launch MSNBC.com into the Web’s top news destination.

Mr Vanjoki of Nokia argues that mobile telephones represent no less than a revolution in human interaction.

"Mobile technology is bringing all information, fun, relationships, work and two-way communication online everywhere, and the possibility to share contextual information with anybody, anywhere, changes the way we live, form our social life and use information," he says.

Juan Luis Cebrian, a central figure in the intellectual and journalistic life in Spain, is well-placed to represent newspapers in this debate. In addition to being the founding editor-in-chief of El Pais, his numerous books include "La Red" (the Network), on the meaning and impact of the accelerating development of the digital society.

More than 1,000 chief editors, publishers, CEOs, other senior newspaper executives and their guests are expected to participate in the 57th World Newspaper Congress, 11th World Editors Forum and Info Services Expo from 30 May to 2 June in Istanbul, one of the world’s great cities.

The Congress focuses on newspaper business issues under the theme, " Winning Strategies for the New Business Environment." The Forum is concerned with newsroom issues and takes the theme, "The Newsroom Revolution: New Technologies and New Competitors.”

Info Services Expo is an exhibition where suppliers to the industry have an opportunity to showcase the latest products and services for newspapers.

For more information, including the evolving programme details, participants list and registration information, click here or contact Julia Hewkin, Events Coordinator, WAN, 7 rue Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, 75005 Paris, France. Telephone +33 1 47 42 85 00, Fax +33 1 47 42 49 48, e-mail: jhewkin@wan.asso.fr.

Sponsors of the Congress and the Forum now include the Union of Chambers of Commerce of Turkey, the Anadolu Efes Beverage Group, Reuters, and the Milliyet and Dünya daily newspapers.

The Paris-based WEF is the organisation of the World Association of Newspapers that represents senior news executives. WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry, represents 18,000 newspapers; its membership includes 72 national newspaper associations, individual newspaper executives in 101 countries, 13 news agencies and nine regional and world-wide press groups.

Inquiries to: Larry Kilman, Director of Communications, WAN, 7 rue Geoffroy St Hilaire, 75005 Paris France. Tel: +33 1 47 42 85 00. Fax: +33 1 47 42 49 48. Mobile: +33 6 10 28 97 36. E-mail: lkilman@wan.asso.fr.