The biggest media event in the world - the 62nd World Newspaper Congress and 16th World Editors Forum, are scheduled to begin at the International Convention Center in Hyderabad.

World Editors Forum Director, Bertrand Pecquerie told said that Indian President Prathiba Patil would declare open the event, amidst a galaxy of publishers and editors from around the globe.

He said the speakers at the opening ceremony would include, President Pratibha Patil, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, Andhra Pradesh Tourism and Culture Minister  Geeta Reddy, President WAN-IFRA, Gavin O’Reilly and Indian Newspaper Society President, T.Venkattram Reddy.

The conference theme will be "Newspapers: A Multi Media Growth Business". Presentations and discussions would examine the strategies which have proved successful at leading news enterprises worldwide.

"This year’s event has assumed greater significance as its taking place in the world’s largest democracy, where the press is not only free and fiercely independent, but undergoing extraordinary growth", Pecquerie said.

"Indian newspapers are worth watching for their circulation and growth records as well. They can also teach us a great deal from a content point of view. Editors from across India and South Asia will tell us how they have launched new titles with new concepts and why online traffic is not a threat to print editions."

He said that India now ranks internationally as the second largest press market after China, with almost 99 million copies sold daily - an increase in circulation of 36% over the past five years. Over 200 million people read newspapers every day and 19 of the world’s top 100 selling titles are found in India.?