World Association of Newspapers/Annual conference: Despite regular predictions of its demise, the global newspaper industry is thriving, and next week in Dublin 1,200 publishers, newspaper executives and editors will gather to discuss strategies for making sure that remains the position.
Every new form of media in the last century was supposed to kill off the humble newspaper. First it was radio, then television and finally the Internet. The people behind these media promised to give the public quicker and more accurate news and comment.
In Dublin next week, however, delegates will hear that new technologies like the Internet and mobile phones have allowed newspapers to reach more readers than ever before.
The annual conference of the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) is the biggest single media event to be staged in the Republic.
Virtually ever major newspaper title in Ireland, Europe, the United States, Africa, South America and the Middle East is sending a representative to the 56th World Newspaper Congress. While the congress will tackle a range of issues, two other events are also taking place under the broad heading of Dublin 2003 - the 10th World Editors' Forum and the Info Services Expo 2003. The events are jointly organised by WAN and the National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI).
Mr Timothy Balding, the director-general of WAN, said the organisation was delighted with the 1,200 turnout. "I think the Dublin figures are truly remarkable, especially in the light of the Iraqi conflict and the global economic situation, as well as the SARS outbreak."
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, will be among those speaking at the congress on Monday. He is expected to stress the central position of newspapers in Irish society.
The World Editors' Forum will look at the challenge of developing editorial excellence while also dealing with the demands for efficiency in the newsroom.
While Western newsrooms face financial pressures, in other parts of the world harassment, Government censorship and imprisonment of editors represent more immediate problems and these issues will be discussed at the forum.
World press trends will be presented at the congress by WAN and these are likely to cheer up delegates.
They show that newspapers have been working hard to remain a powerful and influential force in societies around the world. It is estimated that one billion people read a newspaper every day, a figure which increases as nations improve their literacy levels.
The co-ordinating director of the NNI, Mr Frank Cullen, said that as Dublin prepared to host the WAN event, "the health and prospects of the newspaper market in Ireland are more topical than ever".
He added: "This is a relatively small country, yet there are 11 national newspapers on the market as well as around 60 regional titles. Add to that the 19 daily and Sunday UK titles that are imported and sold in Ireland, and you begin to get an idea of just how dynamic and diverse the market is."
Irish publishers and editors will be attending both the congress and forum.
At Monday's opening ceremony, the president of the NNI, Mr Gavin O'Reilly, will deliver an opening address, followed by Mr Ahern and Mr Seok Hyun Hong, the president of WAN.
The special guest speaker will be Bono of U2.
The first session will focus on winning strategies for the new business environment. This will feature Lord Black, chairman of Hollinger International, and Mr Dean Singleton, chief executive of MediaNews Group Inc in the United States. The managing director of the The Irish Times, Ms Maeve Donovan, will chair this session.
On Tuesday at the editors' forum, the focus will shift to editorial excellence and efficiency in newspapers, particularly during hard times.
In a session chaired by the editor of The Irish Times, Ms Geraldine Kennedy, editors and chief executives from two major newspapers in Scandinavia will discuss ways to improve newsroom productivity.
A large part of Wednesday's proceedings will be devoted to online newspapers and developing their commercial potential. A presentation on ireland.com will be given on Wednesday morning by editor Ms Deirdre Veldon.