HONOLULU?-- Internet information leader Google, telecom provider KT, auto manufacturer Hyundai, international relations insitution the Korea Foundation and the University of Hong Kong's Journalism and Media Studies Centre have joined the growing list of corporate and foundation sponsors of the East-West Center's 2012 International Media Conference, scheduled for June 22-24 in Seoul, South Korea. The conference theme is “Networked News: How New Media is Shaping Stories in Asia and the Pacific.”

The organizations join existing co-hosts and sponsors Yonsei University, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, the Pacific Century Institute, the Henry Luce Foundation and The Wall Street Journal Asia.

Starting with the first event in Bangkok in 2008, East-West Center's biennial media conference has grown into one of the premier journalism meetings in the Asia Pacific region, with the 2010 conference in Hong Kong drawing more than 300 participants from 26 nations and attracting worldwide press attention.

The 3rd East-West Center International Media Conference, which will be held at Seoul's Yonsei University, will look at news and journalism issues in Asia, the Pacific and United States through the prism of New Media. The growing use of digital media across Asia and the Pacific is not only shaping the way people get their news but also the stories themselves. Social media and mobile journalism have impacted national elections and government actions throughout the region, and changed how places and events are being covered, including disasters, North Korea, protests in Thailand and China, the Mumbai terrorist attacks and many more.

South Korea, often called the “most wired nation in the world," provides an ideal venue because of its dynamic media, leadership and innovation in IT, and growing reputation for international gatherings.

Distinguished speakers and panelists from media, government, business, NGOs and academia will address important journalism and news issues in Asia, the Pacific, and United States, and new-media specialists from around the world will share their expertise and perspectives.

For details and online registration:

www.EastWestCenter.org/imc2012