International Federation of Journalists
Encyclopedia
International Federation of Journalists, IFJ, is a global union federation
of journalist
s' trade union
s—the largest in the world. The organization aims to protect and strengthen the rights and freedoms of journalists. It is also dedicated to working for solidarity, social justice
, labor rights
, globalization
, democracy
, human rights
, and fighting poverty
and corruption
.
First founded in Paris in 1926, the federation was relaunched twice in 1946 and in 1952. Today, the IFJ represents around 600,000 members in more than 100 countries. The main office is located in Brussels
, Belgium
. Its official languages are English
, French
and Spanish
The IFJ states that "The IFJ is the organisation that speaks for journalists within /.../ the international trade union movement." But it claims that they do "not subscribe to any given political viewpoint".
Full membership is open to journalists' trade unions only. Other national organisations of journalists that are devoted to media freedom may be admitted as associate members. The IFJ has regional groups, such as the Federation of Latin American Journalists (FEPALC),the European Federation of Journalists
(EFJ) which organizes the Labour Rights Expert Group(LAREG) and the Authors' Rights Experts Group (AREG), and the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ). It has regional offices in Africa, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific Region.
The IFJ is a founding member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange
, a global network non-governmental organisations that monitors press freedom and free expression violations worldwide and defends journalists, writers, Internet users and others who are persecuted for exercising their right to freedom of expression. The IFJ was also a founder in 2003 of the media safety coalition the International News Safety Institute.
The IFJ launched the Ethical Journalism Initiative in 2008, a global campaign to defend standards and to raise awareness of the importance of quality journalism. Furthering quality in journalism is also the aim of a study on media diversity conducted by the Media Diversity Institute in which the IFJ was involved. The study identified "the most significant and/or innovative initiatives taken by or about the media to combat discrimination and/or to promote diversity"
The President of International Federation of Journalists, Mr. Jim Boumelha, is member of the International Advisory Board of the African Press Organization
.
publishes a "barometer of press freedom" to draw attention to journalists, media assistents or netizens killed or imprisoned.
The Safety Fund is an integral part of the IFJ Safety Programme which includes casework, protests, campaigns, provision of information and production of various publications. As the Safety Fund provides immediate financial relief to a particular journalist, the Safety Programme strives all year round to highlight and improve the plight of all journalists.
and more than 100 other professional organisations, press freedom groups, international media, and national journalists' associations a new global media safety network was established at the beginning of 2003 — the International News Safety Institute. Formally launched on World Press Freedom Day
, the institute is dedicated to the safety of journalists and media staff and committed to fighting the persecution of journalists everywhere. It also promotes safety standards that will make journalism safer and more professional.
, Hezbollah's state-run media. The International Federation of Journalists condemned Israel's attack on Al-Manar
headquarters, claiming it "threatens the lives of media staff, violates international law and endorses the use of violence to stifle dissident media." It was reported that the IFJ did not offer any condemnation after Israeli journalists were wounded by Hezbollah militants. Israel and the European Union
considers Al-Manar
to be a vehicle for Hezbollah propaganda and has since banned their programs from satellite.
It was reported that the IFJ published a report criticizing Israel's policy on foreign journalists during the Gaza War and also rebuked its involvement in the conflict. According to Haim Shibi, the report about Gaza was compiled without "consulting a single Israeli source." He believes the IFJ's decision "reflects the European sentiment to portray Israel as an aggressor and support the Arab world
." After a meeting in Tel Aviv at the beginning of November 2009 and with the assistance of mediation from IFJ affiliates in Italy and Germany, an agreement was reached between the IFJ and the NFIJ on the payment of fees and future co-operation. The NFIJ was readmitted to the IFJ on November 14, 2009. In 2010 the NFIJ played a full part in the IFJ world Congress in Cadiz where efforts were made to promote new dialogues between IFJ affiliates on both sides of the Middle East divide.
Global union federation
A global union federation is an international federation of national and regional trade unions organising in specific industry sectors or occupational groups, previously known as international trade secretariats [ITSs]....
of journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
s' trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
s—the largest in the world. The organization aims to protect and strengthen the rights and freedoms of journalists. It is also dedicated to working for solidarity, social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
, labor rights
Labor rights
Labor rights or workers' rights are a group of legal rights and claimed human rights having to do with labor relations between workers and their employers, usually obtained under labor and employment law. In general, these rights' debates have to do with negotiating workers' pay, benefits, and safe...
, globalization
Globalization
Globalization refers to the increasingly global relationships of culture, people and economic activity. Most often, it refers to economics: the global distribution of the production of goods and services, through reduction of barriers to international trade such as tariffs, export fees, and import...
, democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
, human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
, and fighting poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
and corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
.
First founded in Paris in 1926, the federation was relaunched twice in 1946 and in 1952. Today, the IFJ represents around 600,000 members in more than 100 countries. The main office is located in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. Its official languages are English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
The IFJ states that "The IFJ is the organisation that speaks for journalists within /.../ the international trade union movement." But it claims that they do "not subscribe to any given political viewpoint".
Full membership is open to journalists' trade unions only. Other national organisations of journalists that are devoted to media freedom may be admitted as associate members. The IFJ has regional groups, such as the Federation of Latin American Journalists (FEPALC),the European Federation of Journalists
European Federation of Journalists
The European Federation of Journalists is a branch of the International Federation of Journalists. It is the largest organisation of journalists in Europe, representing about 260,000 journalists in over thirty countries...
(EFJ) which organizes the Labour Rights Expert Group(LAREG) and the Authors' Rights Experts Group (AREG), and the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ). It has regional offices in Africa, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific Region.
The IFJ is a founding member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange
International Freedom of Expression Exchange
The International Freedom of Expression eXchange , founded in 1992, is a global network of around 90 non-governmental organisations that promotes and defends the right to freedom of expression....
, a global network non-governmental organisations that monitors press freedom and free expression violations worldwide and defends journalists, writers, Internet users and others who are persecuted for exercising their right to freedom of expression. The IFJ was also a founder in 2003 of the media safety coalition the International News Safety Institute.
The IFJ launched the Ethical Journalism Initiative in 2008, a global campaign to defend standards and to raise awareness of the importance of quality journalism. Furthering quality in journalism is also the aim of a study on media diversity conducted by the Media Diversity Institute in which the IFJ was involved. The study identified "the most significant and/or innovative initiatives taken by or about the media to combat discrimination and/or to promote diversity"
The President of International Federation of Journalists, Mr. Jim Boumelha, is member of the International Advisory Board of the African Press Organization
African Press Organization
Based in Dakar , the African Press Organization - APO is the leading press release wire in Africa, and the global leader in media relations related to Africa....
.
Monitoring journalists killed worldwide
Since 1990, the IFJ has published an annual report which documents cases of journalists and media staff killed during the course of each year. It uses the information to campaign for greater safety for journalists, particularly local and freelance reporters and support staff who lack the resources to protect themselves in conflict zones. The annual reports are archived on the website. With the same aim, Reporters without BordersReporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders is a France-based international non-governmental organization that advocates freedom of the press. It was founded in 1985, by Robert Ménard, Rony Brauman and the journalist Jean-Claude Guillebaud. Jean-François Julliard has served as Secretary General since 2008...
publishes a "barometer of press freedom" to draw attention to journalists, media assistents or netizens killed or imprisoned.
Journalists Safety Fund
The IFJ Safety Fund was established in January 1992 and has become internationally recognised as an important and crucial source of support for journalists under threat. It is the only international assistance fund for journalists established by journalists.The Safety Fund is an integral part of the IFJ Safety Programme which includes casework, protests, campaigns, provision of information and production of various publications. As the Safety Fund provides immediate financial relief to a particular journalist, the Safety Programme strives all year round to highlight and improve the plight of all journalists.
International News Safety Institute
On a proposal from the IFJ and in co-operation with the International Press InstituteInternational Press Institute
International Press Institute is a global organisation dedicated to the promotion and protection of press freedom and the improvement of journalism practices. Founded in October 1950, the IPI has members in over 120 countries....
and more than 100 other professional organisations, press freedom groups, international media, and national journalists' associations a new global media safety network was established at the beginning of 2003 — the International News Safety Institute. Formally launched on World Press Freedom Day
World Press Freedom Day
The United Nations General Assembly declared 3 May to be World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of...
, the institute is dedicated to the safety of journalists and media staff and committed to fighting the persecution of journalists everywhere. It also promotes safety standards that will make journalism safer and more professional.
Expulsion and Readmission of Israeli Journalists
In June 2009, the IFJ expelled the 800-member National Federation of Israeli Journalists for not paying dues, but claims against the former General Secretary Aidan White have been made that the expulsion was politically motivated. This has always been strongly disputed by the IFJ. A representative of the NFIJ believes tension between Israeli journalists and the IFJ began during the Second Lebanon War. During the war the Israeli Defence Forces began a bombing compaign of Al-ManarAl-Manar
Al-Manar is a Lebanese satellite television station affiliated with Hezbollah, registered as Lebanese Media Group Company, broadcasting from Beirut, Lebanon. It has an offering a "rich menu" of high production news, commentary, and entertainment. The self-proclaimed "Station of the Resistance" ,...
, Hezbollah's state-run media. The International Federation of Journalists condemned Israel's attack on Al-Manar
Al-Manar
Al-Manar is a Lebanese satellite television station affiliated with Hezbollah, registered as Lebanese Media Group Company, broadcasting from Beirut, Lebanon. It has an offering a "rich menu" of high production news, commentary, and entertainment. The self-proclaimed "Station of the Resistance" ,...
headquarters, claiming it "threatens the lives of media staff, violates international law and endorses the use of violence to stifle dissident media." It was reported that the IFJ did not offer any condemnation after Israeli journalists were wounded by Hezbollah militants. Israel and the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
considers Al-Manar
Al-Manar
Al-Manar is a Lebanese satellite television station affiliated with Hezbollah, registered as Lebanese Media Group Company, broadcasting from Beirut, Lebanon. It has an offering a "rich menu" of high production news, commentary, and entertainment. The self-proclaimed "Station of the Resistance" ,...
to be a vehicle for Hezbollah propaganda and has since banned their programs from satellite.
It was reported that the IFJ published a report criticizing Israel's policy on foreign journalists during the Gaza War and also rebuked its involvement in the conflict. According to Haim Shibi, the report about Gaza was compiled without "consulting a single Israeli source." He believes the IFJ's decision "reflects the European sentiment to portray Israel as an aggressor and support the Arab world
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
." After a meeting in Tel Aviv at the beginning of November 2009 and with the assistance of mediation from IFJ affiliates in Italy and Germany, an agreement was reached between the IFJ and the NFIJ on the payment of fees and future co-operation. The NFIJ was readmitted to the IFJ on November 14, 2009. In 2010 the NFIJ played a full part in the IFJ world Congress in Cadiz where efforts were made to promote new dialogues between IFJ affiliates on both sides of the Middle East divide.
See also
- Ethical Journalism InitiativeEthical Journalism InitiativeThe Ethical Journalism Initiative is a global campaign of programmes and activities to support and strengthen quality in media. It was adopted by the World Congress of the International Federation of Journalists in Moscow in 2007 and was formally launched in 2008.The EJI has its own web site and...
- Muhammad FarooqMuhammad FarooqMuhammad Farooq is a journalist, Qari, Naat Khawan and newscaster from Pakistan. He was the founder editor of first Pakistani evening newspaper, Daily Evening Special from Quetta. He also worked as Joint Executive Editor Daily Mashriq Quetta. Nowadays he is working in Daily Pakistan Lahore as a...
- Global union federationGlobal union federationA global union federation is an international federation of national and regional trade unions organising in specific industry sectors or occupational groups, previously known as international trade secretariats [ITSs]....
- International Freedom of Expression ExchangeInternational Freedom of Expression ExchangeThe International Freedom of Expression eXchange , founded in 1992, is a global network of around 90 non-governmental organisations that promotes and defends the right to freedom of expression....
- List of Pakistani journalists
- Pakistan Federal Union of JournalistsPakistan Federal Union of JournalistsThe Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists often referred to as The PFUJ is the first journalistic association of South Asia, representing journalists of an entire country; Pakistan...
- Reporters without BordersReporters Without BordersReporters Without Borders is a France-based international non-governmental organization that advocates freedom of the press. It was founded in 1985, by Robert Ménard, Rony Brauman and the journalist Jean-Claude Guillebaud. Jean-François Julliard has served as Secretary General since 2008...
- Shiraz Ahmed, The Financial DailyThe Financial Daily (Pakistan)The Financial Daily is Pakistan’s most comprehensive financial newspaper and financial news website. It provides stock information, daily news, research reports and reviews. It has an excellent reputation among businesses and in the economics circles of Pakistan...
- Tunisia Monitoring GroupTunisia Monitoring GroupThe Tunisia Monitoring Group is a coalition of 21 free expression organisations that belong to the International Freedom of Expression Exchange , a global network of non-governmental organisations that promotes and defends the right to freedom of expression and freedom of the press.The IFEX-TMG...