The three day workshop organised jointly by IFJ and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), a German social justice foundation, discussed emerging issues of journalism including the impact of digitalisation, digital journalists rights and professionalism and ethical journalism. The workshop members reviewed the media practices of SAMSN members and discussed ways to enhance national collaboration and solidarity between journalists organisations on common issues.
At a time where internet shutdown, website closure, criminalisation and undermining of online journalism is rife, the Kathmandu resolution reaffirmed the SAMSN members’ commitment to end internet shutdowns, website closures and actions which undermine the free flow of information.
To enhance the safety of journalists, SAMSN members reiterate their commitment to improve the monitoring of violations of journalists rights, demand action to tackle impunity, campaign for employers to accept their responsibility for training, providing equipment and insurance for journalists and freelancers and seek to address the sexual harassment – faced by women journalists.
In order to build stronger unions and associations, SAMSN members are committed to reviewing union’s rules, structures and representativeness to enable digital journalists and freelance workers to play an active role
In response to continued job losses among South Asia journalists, SAMSN members oppose unwarranted job losses. In the event of redundancies, SAMSN members demand fair compensation and will campaign to provide funds for reskilling and retraining, enabling media workers who lose their jobs to take up new employment opportunities.
IFJ’s South Asian affiliates are committed to protecting professionalism and ethical journalism bypromoting the IFJ's global charter of ethics, developing a digital charter for media and social media, and promoting awareness of digital workers' rights and responsibilities.