UTSUNOMIYA, Tochigi Pref. -- Representatives of the nation's media services adopted a resolution Friday saying they would strive to maintain the current ban on newspaper discounts and preserve the home delivery system.

The resolution, which also called for a higher standard of journalistic ethics, was adopted during the 52nd National Newspaper Convention held here with roughly 520 delegates representing newspapers, wire services and broadcasters from around the country in attendance.

At present, as an exception to the Antimonopoly Law, the retail price publishers set for newspapers may not be changed by vendors.

The price issue was also mentioned in the opening speech written by Tsuneo Watanabe, president of the Yomiuri Shimbun and chairman of the Japan Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association, which organized the convention.

"Japan's newspapers are fulfilling a grave social mission and have served to uphold high cultural values. We must preserve to the end delivery and set a retail price system that supports this," Watanabe wrote in the speech, which was delivered by Kazuo Ichiriki, deputy chairman of the association and president of the Kahoku Shinpo, a newspaper based in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture.

The speech was followed by ceremonies honoring the eight recipients of this year's association prizes for outstanding performance in such fields as reporting, editing and technology.

Nonfiction writer Kunio Yanagida also gave a keynote speech on what he believes will be the role of the media in the coming century.

As society is becoming more immersed in technology and science, he called on publishers and broadcasters to not lose sight of the human aspect and take great care for detail in the 21st century.