Astronomical publishing is now in a state of flux for two main reasons: 1) rapid technological change in editorial and production systems, and 2) intense commercial drives to increase productivity from the international conglomerates that now own the majority of publishing houses. The new technology offers astronomers a wide range of possible presentational formats. Cost-cutting exercises, however, have resulted in traditional in-house editing being cut back, the onus of quality of presentation now being laid more on the shoulders of authors of research papers and editors of conference proceedings.

Areas in need of clarification are the moves by the big international journals towards more unified house styles, particularly in such matters as bibliographical referencing and the accessing of information from large on-line databases. The nature and scope of peer review will be critically assessed, as will the arguments for and against the establishment of free-access electronic international journals.

The challenge of accurate popularization of science and the problems of ``dumbing down'' will be discussed in the contexts of popular books and magazines, newspapers, and TV/radio documentaries and news reports.

This meeting will look at how scientific results published in astronomical research journals are modified as they percolate through the various genres dedicated to teaching, popularization and news reporting. The differing editorial criteria for each genre will be examined by recognized experts, and ways in which scientists, popular writers and journalists can work together for the good of the dissemination of science will be discussed in depth  Some of the best authorities in all fields of astronomy publishing and broadcasting (researchers, journal editors, book publishers, authors, science journalists, TV and radio producers, etc.) will exchange views and explain the techniques and skills they employ to communicate astronomy.