With the attack on the United States, "human madness has reached new levels," said Mr De Salas. "Conferences such as this one , with participants from over 20 countries, are an attempt to find a solution."

Holding a minute of silence, from Left: WAN President, Roger Parkinson; Bilbao Mayor, Iñaki Azkuna and aede President, Alfonso De Salas. Photo Courtesy of El Correo

Mr De Salas focused his presentation on the situation in Spain, and, in particular, on the Basque Country. He cited a litany of murders, bomb attacks and harassment suffered by journalists and media at the hands of the terrorist ETA organisation.

To combat these terrorists, "we will continue to give broad coverage to all ideas, all opinions. The aim is to reach out and truly demonsrate that a truly democatic society will not exist until the people who are providing information face no risks for doing so."