Delegates from the World Association of Newspapers were in London today to find out about the free “Metro” newspaper phenomenon.

Associated Newspapers, publishers of The Daily Mail and the Evening Standard, were hosting the visit and explaining how they turned the possible threat of quality free newspapers into an opportunity.

The concept of a free, yet editorially-driven newspaper, called “Metro”, was launched in Sweden in 1996.

Three years on, the idea is gaining ground through Europe. Associated Newspapers is involved with quality free newspapers in major commuter cities throughout Britain like Birmingham and Newcastle as well as London.

Founded in 1948, the World Association of Newspapers represents more than 17,000 publications on five continents.

Its major objectives are:

• Defending and promoting press freedom and the economic independence of newspapers as an essential condition for that freedom.
• Contributing to the development of newspaper publishing by fostering communications and contacts between newspaper executives from different regions and cultures.
• Promoting co-operation between its member organisations, whether national, regional or worldwide.

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