The World News Media Congress (WNMC) has been held in various countries around the world since 1948, and since its inception has been an event dedicated to international cooperation between publishers, the exchange of journalistic and business experiences. The purpose of the meetings, which are attended by journalists, editors, publishers, experts from all parts of the globe, is also to promote press freedom and media independence. 

The congress organizer, the World Association of News Publishers, or WAN-IFRA, is the world's largest international organization representing 3,000 news publishing, media business and 60 publisher associations representing 18,000 media titles and brands from 120 countries. WAN-IFRA's core mission is to protect the right of journalists and publishers to operate independently and provide them with access to the expertise they need to operate and continue their social role - including in the context of today's digital challenges.   

The annual World News Media Congress (WNMC) is a three-day gathering of media leaders, including editors and journalists, digital revenue, product and technology experts, and entrepreneurs of the media-tech field. Its program focuses on three areas: press freedom and journalism, media sustainability and innovation. The theme of this year's Polish edition of the congress is “Mastering Media's New Playbook,” or perfecting the new rules of modern media. The congress in Krakow will feature more than 100 international speakers, and the event's program focuses on the challenges facing media organizations in an era of rapid technological and political change and the role of artificial intelligence in journalism. Rebuilding public trust in traditional media and countering disinformation will also be important topics.    

“We face a crucial challenge: understanding the role of media companies in a changing world. Shifting views on journalism make our work more important than ever. We must protect journalism and democracy,” writes Ladina Heimgartner, WAN-IFRA President. 

The World News Media Congress, although an event with a decades-long tradition, has never before been organized in Poland or any Central and Eastern European country.    

“I am extremely pleased that after so many years WAN-IFRA has recognized Poland in the huge group of its members and partners and offered Agora the honorable title of host of the world congress. In justifying their choice, the organizers stressed that Poland is an example of a country where independent media have stood up to populism and propaganda from authorities with authoritarian inclinations,” comments Bartosz Hojka, CEO of the Agora Group and member of the WAN-IFRA Supervisory Board.   

Among the many speakers at the congress will be Marty Baron (former editor-in-chief, The Washington Post, USA); Hannah Sarney (editorial product director, Financial Times, UK), Zach Seward (editorial director for AI initiatives, The New York Times, USA), Christian Broughton (CEO, The Independent, UK), Catherine So (CEO, South China Morning Post, Hong Kong). The opening ceremony of the congress will feature a keynote address by Lech Walesa - former President of Poland and Nobel Prize winner.   

The program of the World News Media Congress in Krakow is arranged in three thematic tracks dedicated to various aspects of the media:     

• World Media Leaders Summit - aimed mainly at publishers and managers setting the industry's direction.   

• World Editors Summit - where topics on newsroom performance and trust, audience engagement and the challenges of artificial intelligence will be addressed.   

• World Digital Media Summit - focusing on the industry's digitization processes and content monetization, subscription development and new business models.   

Attendance at the congress is paid. For media representatives from Poland, the organizer has prepared a special offer (2 tickets for the price of 1), which can be used by using the code AGORA25. Registration can be made on the WAN-IFRA website. 

The congress is co-organized by the Agora Group.

Local strategic partner: Orlen

Local partners: PZU Foundation, City of Kraków.

Media patrons: Gazeta.pl, “Wyborcza”, Radio TOK FM, Radio ZET and AMS.