{{{The Quest for an Independent Press in Russia}}} {{Leonid Makaron, President of the Russian Guild of Press Publishers}}
Mr Makaron welcomed participants to the World Newspaper Congress and World Editors Forum in Moscow with a call for solidarity among the world's newspaper executives.
He said he welcomed their knowledge and expertise as Russia looks to develop its independent press.
"We recognise how difficult this path is, and how much work needs to be done, but we are making progress," he says.
"Millions of people read newspapers every day in Russia and there is freedom of expression," he says. "We are seeking to establish independent press, we are dealing with our history over the last 70 years. What this means is that, when we are setting up civil society, we need an independent press, but it will take time."
What is needed, he said, was professional management, social responsibility, and a press that appealed to readers and to advertisers.
{{{Golden Pen of Freedom Awarded to Iranian Journalist}}}
An Iranian journalist who spent the last six years in jail for criticising the Iranian authorities has been awarded the 2009 Golden Pen of Freedom, the annual press freedom prize from the World Association of Newspapers.
Akbar Ganji, a leading investigative journalist who is now one of Iran's most renowned dissidents, dedicated the award to "all Iranian dissidents and freedom-fighters."
"And in this category, more than anyone the prize should go to those who fought for freedom and human rights and were as punishment slaughtered during what came to be known as the "Serial Murders," he said, referring to the murders of dissident intellectuals by Intelligence Ministry agents in the late 1990s. Mr Ganji wrote extensively about these cases, implicating leading conservative figures from the ruling establishment in the murders. В магазине stroymaster.Co.Ua электростанции, огромный выбор электростанций. .
The award was presented Monday during the opening ceremonies of the World Newspaper Congress and World Editors Forum. The award ceremony was the first opportunity for Mr Ganji to address an international audience since his release from prison in March.
Mr Ganji dedicated his prize to others as well -- prisoners who were executed while serving their sentences in 1987, journalists who have been tortured and paralyzed, dissidents deprived of their social rights and imprisoned, and Iranians who have been forced into exile "only because they dared to think and live differently."
Mr Ganji was arrested in 2007 following his participation in a conference in Berlin in which political and social reform were publicly discussed. He was convicted in 2007 of "insulting religious edicts and figures, threatening national security and dissemination of propaganda against the Islamic regime."
He spent most of his term in solitary confinement. He was tortured, and went on months-long hunger strikes.
In presenting the award, the World Association of Newspapers and the World Editors Forum called on the Iranian regime to respect the right of its citizens to freedom of expression.
Read Mr Ganji's full acceptance speech .
{{{Faith in the future}}} Les Hinton, Chairman, News International, United Kingdom
News International has faith in the future of the newspapers. Why else would it raise a billion dollars in invest in new presses?
But News International, whose Sun is the biggest English-language paper in the world, and whose Times is among the world's most famous newspaper brands, also believes in the digital world. Mr Hinton presentation was about "how a big, traditional newspaper company is coping with the earthquake of change."
Mr Hinton knows a lot of things.
"I know that newspapers are very well placed to win in the web 2.0 world. We have the content, we have the technology and we can reach readers who trust us."
"I know that while a lot of new and innovative ideas may spring from college dormitories, big companies are able to bring about significant change, fast."
"I know that whatever we do in the future, people - readers, viewers, users, whoever - will recognise quality and gravitate towards it. Mad and scurrilous blogs will be taken for what they often are, another form of entertainment."
"I know that different age-groups, people with differing political, social and cultural biases will continue to seek out news that is presented in a form that pleases them. The crucial concept to understand is that of complementary content, whether it is user-generated or supplied by professionals."
"I know that the movement of advertising away from traditional forms of media continues at a pace. But to leap from here to exclaiming the end of press advertising - which the pundits are starting to do - makes no sense at all." "I know that absolutely no one knows for sure what the media scene will look like ten years from now. "
{{{A vision of the future - with newspapers}}} {{Mathias Dopfner, CEO and Chairman, Axel Springer, Germany}}
The future of newspapers is digital -- once digital paper is foldable, roll-able, capable of reproducing bright colours, contain full-screen touch operation, capable of operating without heavy batteries or charges, and is inexpensive, says Mr Dopfner.
So paper should be around for awhile. But even if the perfect digital paper is produced rapidly, newspapers will still be essential, he says.
Mr Dopfner says it is important not to confuse the delivery mechanism with the product itself.
"The main question for us is, will the newspaper format exist in another 100 years? The answer, in my view, is yes and no," says Mr Dopfner. "As a transfer medium, no. As a creative medium, yes. Paper will be replaced one day by electronic paper. But the newspaper is indispensable, thanks to journalism."
Mr Dopfner believes there is several basic differences between journalism on the internet and newspaper journalism. For example, where the user guides journalism on the internet, newspaper journalism guides readers.
Newspaper companies should always create both types, but the newspaper, which is built on exclusive news, independent opinion, and captivating language and provides a plan for the reader, always has a role.
"Readers do not want to make all the decisions themselves -- it's just like you don't want to cook every time you want something to eat," says Mr Dopfner, "Readers want orientation and pre-selection."
{{{How Guardian Newspapers changed everything except its values in 12 months}}} {{Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive, Guardian Newspapers Ltd., United Kingdom}}
Just getting three new MAN Roland presses up and running in 12 months would have been impressive enough. The Guardian needed them for its re-launch in Berliner format in September 2008 after two of its competitors switched to tabloid.
The formula for the new format included these elements: easy navigation, more access points for readers to enter the stories, explanatory techniques, graphics, sections and dramatic photography, says Mr McCall.
And it brought the internet into the newspaper in major ways -- obituaries, comments and a weekly column of restaurant reviews are all submitted by readers electronically.
Ms McCall says the integration between print and web is expanding.
"We see ourselves as 'the Guardian' and we try to keep the essence of The Guardian in print and web," she says. "The lines are beginning to blur, but we haven't completely integrated the structure."
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