Although plans to hold the convention in Chicago, April 26-29, were well under way, president Charlotte Hall said ASNE’s leadership had “concluded that the challenges editors face at their newspapers demand their full attention.”

Hall praised the considerable groundwork done by the Society’s Convention Program Committee. She said the committee “had put in place a robust agenda that promised to address critical issues faced by editors.” Also, Hall said that it had become clear that member attendance would have been significantly lower than normal because of the stress within the industry.

“Even though the learning opportunities at the convention would have been valuable, the greatest priority is leading our own newsrooms as we shape the future of the business,” Hall said.

This is only the second time since ASNE was founded that it has foregone holding a convention. ASNE also canceled its convention during the last critical days of World War II in 1945.

This year’s circumstances are quite different than in 1945, Hall said. “This is a uniquely stressful period in our business as we face both structural change and deep recession.”

She said ASNE’s 2010 Convention remains scheduled for April 11-14 in Washington.

In the meantime, Hall said the organization will increase reliance on the Web to help editors share what they are learning as they reinvent their news organizations for multiple platforms.

ASNE had planned votes at the Chicago convention on bylaws changes that would drop “paper” from its name and expand its membership to include editors of online-only news Web sites and leading journalism educators. That, and the annual election of new board members, will now occur electronically.

“We intend to press on with our transformation of ASNE to ensure its relevance in the digital age,” Hall said. “As we broaden our membership, we will aggressively advocate for innovation in journalism, access to public information, First Amendment rights, diversity and ethical standards.”

ASNE, founded in 1922, is the principal organization of American newspaper editors. It is active in a number of areas, including open government, freedom of the press, journalism credibility and ethics, newsroom management, diversity and readership.

For more information, contact Suzanne Martin, 703-453-1124, smartin@asne.org.