Newspaper legend Harold Evans will debate the future of journalism when Scotland hosts the International Press Institute congress for the first time next year.

The former Northern Echo editor, who went on to edit The Times and Sunday Times, will lead a session on civil liberty and press freedom in the light of new policies related to the war on terrorism.

The International Press Institute comprises executives, editors and publishers who meet once a year to debate journalism and promote good practice. More than 600 leading journalists are expected to attend.

Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre, BBC director general Mark Thompson and Google News creator Krishna Bharat are also lined up to take part in the event.

Other sessions will include Small Voices in a Big World, looking at how smaller countries like Scotland can make an impact in the journalism world, and The Rise of the Internet Journalist, looking at web publishing, citizen journalism and what constitutes a journalist.

The event will be held in Edinburgh in May.