The International Association of Press Clubs is a collaborative chain of organisations working to enhance the professional endeavours of members.

The Association supports the principle of a free press operating with a minimum of restrictions and members structure their activities to advance that objective.

Member clubs also provide a social environment to encourage the free flow of ideas and facilities to assist in providing information and analysis to the wider public.

The “press”, broadly defined, has become increasingly complex, competitive and stressful for its workers in an age of ever-evolving technology.

Press clubs provide meeting points where many of the competing pressures can be considered and, where possible, resolved to the best advantage of all parties.

The scale of activities and range of resources between member clubs of the IAPC varies considerably but the Association aims to bridge those differences through the exchange of information, assistance with meetings and conferences, and combined efforts to address specific problems.

The association supports the efforts of many specialist organisations working for greater free speech, open government, the protection of press workers and the maintenance of high ethical standards.

It also supports the development of more press clubs and similar forums in jurisdictions where they are currently not permitted or operate with difficulty. And it encourages all efforts to increase public awareness around the world of the value of free and flourishing media alongside fair and open government.