L’Alliance de la Presse d’Information Générale, France’s leading press organization, has been named Support Partner for the World News Media Congress 2026, taking place in Marseille from 1 to 3 June. The partnership marks a significant milestone as the Congress returns to France for the first time in 35 years.
Organised by WAN-IFRA in collaboration with CMA Media Group, the 77th World News Media Congress centres on the theme “Rising Voices. Emerging Risks. Inspiring Futures.”
"We are honored to welcome the global news media community to Marseille for this historic edition of the World News Media Congress," said Pierre Louette, President of L'Alliance de la Presse d'Information Générale and CEO of Les Échos-Le Parisien. "At a time when artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping our industry and when democracies worldwide face unprecedented information challenges, this gathering takes on special significance. France has been at the forefront of the struggle for online value sharing—from pioneering neighboring rights implementation to leading efforts on AI transparency and platform accountability. The Congress offers a unique opportunity to share these experiences with our international peers and to collectively build the framework that will ensure quality journalism not only survives, but thrives in the AI era. This moment calls for us to defend the integrity of information while embracing innovation that serves democratic societies."
"The World News Media Congress, first held in Paris in 1948 under the auspices of FIEJ, is finally returning to France since it was last held there in 1995," said Vincent Peyrègne, CEO of WAN-IFRA. "We are proud to be teaming up with the Alliance de la Presse d'Information Générale to deliver a special edition of the Congress in Marseille. Returning to France is a significant tribute to the French roots of our organisation and to the unwavering support of the French press over the past decades. The Alliance's commitment to collectively defending and strengthening quality news and its role in an open society reflect the values at the heart of WAN-IFRA. As the decade of AI agents begins, we rethink intelligent collaboration to create an event that celebrates innovation and the future of professional, fact-based journalism."
The partnership reinforces France's position as a key player in shaping the future of news media, particularly on critical issues such as AI business models, platform accountability, and the economic sustainability of quality journalism. French publishers have been at the forefront of European efforts to establish frameworks for fair compensation from digital platforms and to ensure transparency in AI-generated content.
L'Alliance de la Presse d'Information Générale represents 309 news media titles across four press families: national daily newspapers (PQN), regional daily press (PQR), regional weekly press (PHR), and news magazines. Together, these publications employ 13,500 journalists—representing 42% of all professional journalists in France—and reach 95% of French adults each month. The Alliance advocates for the pluralism and independence of quality journalism.
Members of the Alliance are eligible for an exclusive €200 discount on Congress tickets. Early-bird rates are available until 31 December 2025. Email congress@wan-ifra.org to request your promo code.
