York is playing host to more than 80 senior members of the British newspaper industry at a conference exploring the possibilities of the Internet and new media.

The two-day conference at the Royal York Hotel, organised by the Newspaper Society, is being chaired by Tom Stevenson, managing director of new media and group operations for Eastern Counties Newspaper Group.

Its aim is to make the Internet pay and also offer new opportunities for newspapers' readership.

Adrienne Smith, commercial development manger for the Newspaper Society, said: "The conference is bringing regional and local newspaper publishers together to discuss the issues they are facing, primarily in terms of the Internet and new media in general.

"This includes digital television and the future of mobile technology. For example, local newspaper readers could subscribe for information to be sent to their mobile phone on local news stories, local sport, or gig list."

Updated: 13:56 Monday, June 18, 2001