Press freedom delegation to visit Britain

He added: A press freedom mission to the United Kingdom is unprecedented and we cannot underestimate our concern for what is happening.

We are concerned that these actions not only seriously damage the United Kingdoms historic international reputation as a staunch defender of press freedom, but provide encouragement to non-democratic regimes to justify their own repressive actions.

The delegation, which will consist of publishers and editors from around the world, will arrive in London in January for a series of meetings with government and opposition figures and also representative from the industry.

The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers was launched in 1948 and represents more than 18,000 publications around the world.

The majority of its work is focused on democratic states or countries with poor records on press freedom and human rights.

In the past it has sent missions to countries including South Africa, Yemen, Tunisia, Honduras, Ecuador, Colombia, Ukraine and Guatemala.

This is the first time such a delegation would have visited Britain.

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Press freedom delegation to visit Britain