WAN-Ifra is urging the newspaper community to make a stand for press freedom at its Golden Pen award ceremony.

The awarding of the Golden Pen of Freedom will form part of the opening ceremony of the World News Media Congress taking place in Washington, DC, from June 1-3.

More than 1000 news media professionals from all over the world are expected for the annual gathering. Delegates are being invited to come not only to exchange strategies and define the future of journalism but also to make a stand for press freedom and show their solidarity with journalists worldwide.

The Golden Pen of Freedom award on June 1 will turn the spotlight to the ongoing struggle many publishers face in delivering independent journalism and their basic rights to freedom of expression. Some 16 journalists have lost their lives in the first two months of 2015, including eight in a single attack at the offices of the French satirical publication Charlie Hebdo.

"The Opening Ceremony is the perfect occasion to show our unity, and we invite you to join us and your colleagues to honour the achievements of the free press," says a spokesman.

Full details of the World News Media Congress, the World Editors Forum and the World Advertising Forum can be found at www.wan-ifra.org/dc2015