WMF extends to 400 Mass Media in 60 countries (03-01-2006)

VALENCIA From now on nearly 400 mass media in 60 countries across five continents will receive a news service about the 5th World Meeting of the Families (WMF), where the Pope will preside in Valencia next July. This news service is in addition to all the foreign correspondents accredited in Spain.

After Spain, the countries with the most demand for the news service to their mass media are The United States, Italy, The United Kingdom, Brazil, Colombia, France and Mexico. The most recent additions to the list of destinations for the news service are Angola, Australia, South Korea, Cuba, Iceland, Japan, The Lebanon and Malta, and according to the agency AVAN, sources from the Organization have indicated that the number of destinations "continues to grow constantly".

The Archbishop of Valencia's local news agency, AVAN, is in charge of producing and distributing the updated news service translated into seven languages: Spanish, English, French, German, Italian and Portuguese.

Among the destinations for information on the WMF are the main general mass media of the world, from newspapers, radio, television, international news agencies and digital media to specific Catholic publications and stations. Equally, all the foreign correspondents accredited in Spain as of today receive news about the WMF.

Similarly, the Organization of the WMF has a free press service on its website (www.emf2006.org) where both printed and audiovisual media can be found. "It's about allowing access to a variety of materials to Valencian as well as to Spanish national and international media. These include publicity modules, radio spots as well as visual images concerning the history and development of the WMF", according to the same sources, cited today to the AVAN local agency.

The only requirement is that interested news media register with the website to receive access to the resources. Registration is free of charge.

The Meeting's site currently offers a subscription to news in real time, as well as other documents of interest, photographs and articles designed for publication in both printed and electronic media. Information is included about various aspects of the World Meeting of the Families.

Therefore, syndicated radio groups can download spots in MP3 format to include in their broadcasts, while companies in the audiovisual sector will have access to videos to broadcast in various formats, according to Organization sources.

In addition, information regarding accreditation for those news media who wish to cover the activities of the 5th WMF will soon be included on the website.

The press section, which can be found at www.emf2006.org, also allows you to download the electronic newsletter of the Meeting, which provide information about the activities of the WMF. Finally, the website includes a section on the latest news and an online library containing the information published concerning the Meeting.

AVAN