The aim of the workshop was to back the efforts of journalists’ unions and organisations to strengthen the media sector by identifying and exposing the obstacles that prevent it from flourishing. It also addressed best practice for the media to fulfill its role of informing the public, as well as obstacles such as interference by political and economic powers, summonses of journalists and the closure of media outlets, among others.
The discussions led to the adoption of a methodology and a work program according to which the IFJ will issue a regional press-freedom report, with contributions from affiliated unions in the region. To better assess the state of media freedom and understand the daily challenges faced by media workers, the Federation will conduct a survey as well as research into the issues that directly affect the work of journalists. The regional report will be launched on World Press Freedom Day.
The Middle East and the Arab world has been by far the deadliest region in the world in 2023, with 93 killings registered, the IFJ Killed List Report revealed. The vast majority of the killings were Palestinian journalists and media workers killed by the Israeli army in Gaza, Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) representatives pledged to make greater efforts to persuade governments to adopt the IFJ-led International Convention on the safety and independence of journalists and launch a regional campaign to fight impunity in Palestine and the broader region.
The IFJ encouraged its affiliates to participate in the International Day for Palestinian Journalists on 26 February, organised in cooperation with PJS. On that day, unions and media organisations across the world will observe a minute of silence at noon to commemorate media professionals killed since 7 October and carry out actions in solidarity with Palestinian journalists. The IFJ also urged unions and journalists to donate to the IFJ International Safety Fund to support Gaza’s journalists, and their families. As the war in Gaza approaches its fifth month, funds are sorely needed.
IFJ Vice President Nasser Abu Baker, Vice President of the International Federation of Journalists, said: “The IFJ welcomes the commitment and enthusiasm of the unions who come together to enhance the protection of journalists and defend their rights to work without worrying about their lives or liberties. We still have a hard and long way to go, but the persistence, determination and solidarity among the unions and journalists in the region will be able to dismantle the structures that have been set up to control journalists and public-interest journalism.”
The workshop is part of a project dedicated to promoting and enhancing press freedom in the Middle East and Arab World which is being supported by the Norwegian Union of Journalists and the government of Norway.