(05.10.2012) The IFJ joined 18 organisations representing creators and
rightholders from the creative industries in developing and developed countries
around the world, in a joint statement on a new treaty for
blind people that is being discussed at
the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). The group expressed support for a possible international instrument that
will improve access for visually-disabled persons while respecting the rights
of authors and the existing international copyright framework. They called upon
Member States to focus on the clearly defined needs of persons with visual
disabilities, and warned that such an exception should not hinder the…
(05.10.2012) The IFJ joined 18 organisations representing creators and rightholders from the creative industries in developing and developed countries around the world, in a joint statement on a new treaty for blind people that is being discussed at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). The group expressed support for a possible international instrument that will improve access for visually-disabled persons while respecting the rights of authors and the existing international copyright framework. They called upon Member States to focus on the clearly defined needs of persons with visual disabilities, and warned that such an exception should not hinder…
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its Cambodian affiliate,
the Cambodian Association for the Protection of Journalists (CAPJ) in strongly condemning the 20-year jail sentence handed down to
independent radio owner and activist Mam Sonando on October 1, by the Phnom Penh Municipal
Court.
Mam
Sonando, 71, is the owner of Independent radio station Beehive Radio, President
of the Democrats Association, and a prominent public critic of human rights
abuses in Cambodia. He was arrested on July 15 on orders from Prime Minister Hun
Sen, accusing him of attempting to establish a secessionist movement in Kratie
province.
Mr
Sonando has been arrested…
The
International News Safety Institute is to launch INSI Asia Pacific with a
regional office based in Singapore to focus on the most dangerous region in the
world for journalists and media workers.
This is an
initiative of Australian and New Zealand journalists and media workers through
their unions Media Safety and Solidarity Appeal together with the global unions
for media workers, UNI Global Union and the International Federation of
Journalists Asia Pacific.
Journalists
and media personnel working in the Asia-Pacific region confront targeted
attacks, threats and intimidation, work-related injury and the dangers of
reporting in areas of conflict. …
Participants of the IFJ and UNI
Asia Pacific Regional Seminar, Kuala Lumpur, 19-21 September 2012, herewith
adopt a statement on Korea to support NUMW and Korean media workers in their
fight for the fair journalism, demand to reinstate dismissed workers from the
strike action of this year and call on the government to stop its interference
with the media workers’ organizations and management of public broadcasting.
The negative impact of media
control by political power is critical, the hunger for people’s right to
unbiased and free information is desperate and the weakening of democracy is
real and serious. Freedom of speech is a pillar of democracy and…
Journalists and
media workers in the Asia-Pacific commit to building stronger unions to build
power in our creative communities for a stronger media.
Strong unions that
represent journalists and media workers are central to an independent media in
democratic societies. Media workers through their unions are also engaging in
shaping the emerging regional structures.
Over
70 leaders and representatives of 35 Asia-Pacific trade unions and associations
representing workers in the journalism,
media, entertainment and arts industry met in Kuala Lumpur to commit to organise
to shape the future of the media industry in the Asia-Pacific.
Following on from the…
The Maldives
Journalists’ Association (MJA), an affiliate of the International Federation of
Journalists (IFJ), has in a statement released on October 1, welcomed the
Maldives Police Service decision to end its boycott of the independent news and
entertainment channel, Raajje TV.
Since the resignation
of Mohammad Nasheed as President of the Maldives in contentious circumstances
in February, state institutions have declined to participate in or cooperate
with news coverage in Raajje TV, which is known to have an editorial policy
sympathetic to the former president’s party.
Political parties too
have reportedly taken to voicing their…
The International Federation of
Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the National Union of Journalists of
Philippines (NUJP) in expressing serious concern at another attempted shooting
of a journalist in the Philippines.
The NUJP local chapter in Sorsogon has
called for a “thorough and impartial investigation” after two unidentified
men riding motorcycles fired shots at radio commentator and Wow Radio station
manager Ramil “Doods” Marianito on September 23.
Marianito told NUJP that
he was driving his car at around 4:30 PM toward Sorsogon City when the men on
motorcycles intercepted his car and fired shots at him. He was…
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate Pakistan Federal
Union of Journalists (PFUJ) strongly condemn
the murder of a journalist in Pakistan’s Balochistan Province on September 29.
Television reporter Abdul
Haq was leaving the Khuzdar Press Club when unknown gunmen opened
fire and killed him instantly, according to reports from the Pakistan Federal Union
of Journalists (PFUJ).
Mr Haq had worked for
ARY TV Channel for the past seven years and was also the General Secretary of
Khuzdar Press Club.
The PFUJ has issued a
statement strongly condemning the killing and demanding an inquiry into the
incident, saying the situation…
The
European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) today has backed calls by Ukrainian
journalists for the withdrawal of proposed legislation that would introduce
criminal responsibility for libel.
Speaking
on the fringes of an EFJ conference in Moscow that is focussing on the ways in
which the EFJ can support journalists' unions in Eastern Europe, EFJ President
Arne König called for the legislation to be withdrawn: "Right across
Europe the EFJ campaigns for an end to criminal procedures for defamation. Laws
such as these have a chilling effect on the willingness and ability of
journalists to do their jobs effectively."
The
proposed new law had been…
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today praised the United Human Rights Council for adopting a resolution on the “Assistance to Somalia in the Field of Human Rights” adopted by the 21st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.The resolution which was tabled by Senegal on behalf of the African Group, that comprises African member States of the UN, strongly condemned “all attacks on journalists, including the deadly terror attack on 20 September and the assassination on 21 September of a prominent journalist in Mogadishu; it calls upon the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia to protect the safety of journalists; and calls on all states…
The
International Federation of Journalists supports its affiliate the Hong Kong
Journalists Association (HKJA), and other local media organisations, in its
protests in support of a photo-journalist
charged with common assault, which they claim arose from circumstance
related to the restrictions placed on the media in Hong Kong.
Sing
Kai-Chung, a former photographer with Apple Daily, was charged with common
assault for allegedly pushing a security guard to the ground outside the
Government Headquarters in Hong Kong on January 9.
Restrictive regulations have been prevented media from reporting
outside the Government Headquarters. Sing Kai-Chung,
who…
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on the authorities in Georgia to guarantee independence of media ahead of the general elections due to take place on 1 October."Past elections in Georgia have been marred by attempts to control media and obstruct independent reporting, "said IFJ President, Jim Boumelha. "There is now an opportunity for the government to demonstrate its commitment to open governance and democratic rule by allowing journalists to operate freely and safely during the pre-election period." According to the Independent Association of Georgian Journalists (IAGJ), an IFJ affiliate, there have been nearly fifty cases of harassment, threats or…
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the violent incident in which Maya Naser, the correspondent of Iran's English- language cable network, Press TV, was shot dead and his colleague and Damascus bureau chief Hussein Murtada wounded. The two journalists were covering the aftermath of the massive bombs attacks which targeted the Syrian army building in Damascus."We condemn the killing of Maya and remind all warring factions in Syria of their international obligations to protect journalists working in conflict areas," said IFJ President, Jim Boumelha. "The risks to journalists' safety while covering wars are often made worse by reckless and deliberate acts of…
The International Federation of
Journalists share the serious concern expressed by its affiliate, the Federation
of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) about a radio journalist who went missing from
Taplejung, in Nepal’s Eastern Region on September 16.
Madan Poudel who is affiliated
with Nepal’s Radio Tamor 102, has been missing since the evening of September
16. He was last seen at Fulbari, Taplejung reportedly attending an event called
"Taplejung Dance Star 2069".
The FNJ considers the incident to
be “suspicious as well as mysterious”. The
journalist reportedly went missing the same day he had reached Fulbari.
"The IFJ is…
The
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the National
Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in condemning the assault of a
journalist by the brother of a local Mayor in Sorsogon City, Luzon province in
the Philippines on September 23.
According to NUJP reports,
Sorsogon Now Editor and GMA-7 Stringer
Roberto “Bobby” Labalan was punched in the face outside a local coffee shop
that is frequented by journalists in Sorsogon City by Joseph "Nono"
Yap III, brother of Prieto Diaz town Mayor Joeclyn Yap-Lelis.
Labalan was reportedly speaking with media personnel and government
officials outside the coffee shop at 7:15 a.m.…
The International Federation of Journalists
(IFJ) today joined the Central African Press Union (USYPAC in French) to call
on DRC President Joseph Kabila to grant presidential pardon for three
journalists in prison.
“We call on authorities in DRC to release our
three colleagues arrested after being accused of collaboration with the armed
guerillas movements. Their place is not definitely in prisons. Their release
would be a great act of press freedom promotion,” said Gabriel Baglo, IFJ
Africa Director.
According to USYPAC, the three journalists for
whom presidential pardon are requested are Palata a journalist with Congolese Channel CCTV…
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its regional body, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) today condemned the draft media legislation currently before the Ukraine parliament that introduces criminal liability for defamation as another assault on freedom of speech.The bill, which passed its first reading on 18 September, would reintroduce criminal defamation eleven years after it was removed from the statute books in 2001"This law would represent one more nail in the coffin for Ukraine free speech," said Elisabeth Costa, IFJ General Secretary. "We urge Ukraine parliamentarians to think again and reject the regressive step into the past." The IFJ's affiliate, the…
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today vigorously
condemned the killing of a young media worker in Mogadishu, the capital of
Somalia who was gunned down on Sunday by unidentified armed men.
According to National Union of Somali
Journalists (NUSOJ), an IFJ affiliate, Zakariye Mohamed Mohamud Moallima a
young cameraman working as freelance journalist, was shot dead on Sunday
evening 16 September 2012 in Nasib Bundo neighborhood of Shibis district in
Mogadishu.
“This is another hard blow against the
media workers’ community in Somalia. We urge the new government to stop the
killings targeting media in the country,” said…
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today backed the Media Workers Association of South Africa (MWASA) which is picketing at the SABC Radio-Park head office. The Association is demanding recognition of its right to organise and fair treatment of its members. The picketing follows the suspension of MWASA's members from the Corporation and the ban on the Association from organising there.
The IFJ President JIm Boumelha today wrote to Lulama Mokhobo, SABC Chief Executive Officer, welcoming the recent deal reached to lift the ban but urged SABC management to treat MWASA's members fairly and respect their right to freedom of expression and association."We were pleased to…
The International Federation of Journalists
(IFJ) joins its affiliate the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
(NUJP) in expressing serious concern that the newly enacted Cybercrime
Prevention Act 2012 poses a significant threat to press freedom and limits freedom
of expression in the Philippines.
The
new laws enacted under the Act which was passed last week, have been criticised
by the NUJP and international media groups for the inclusion of libel among the
crimes that may be committed online.
The
NUJP believe that the Act is a threat not only to the media but to any member of
the public with access to the Internet, as it broadens the scope of the…
The International Federation of
Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Federation of Nepali Journalists
(FNJ) in condemning the serious assault of a newspaper editor in the mid-western
region of Nepal on September 13.
The FNJ reports
that Nepali Express Daily Editor, Shiva Dotel was
manhandled and attacked by a police team led by Sub Inspector of Nepali Police,
Batti Kumar Pokhrel, near Tribhuwanchowk of Nepalgunj, in Banke on September 13.
Dotel was reportedly
attacked for no apparent reason on the way to his office. He sustained serious head
injuries requiring seven stitches after medical treatment at Bheri Regional
Hospital.
The FNJ said…
The Chairperson of the African Union
Commission, Mr. Jean Ping, on 14 September 2012 received a delegation led by Mr.
Omar Faruk Osman the president of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ),
the regional African group of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
It was at the sidelines of the two-day Pan-African conference on the safety of
journalists and the issue of impunity held at the African Union headquarters in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
During the meeting, Chairperson Ping reiterated that Africa has made tremendous
progress towards free flow of information and freedom of the press. He hoped
more will be achieved in the future if resources are made available…
The International Federation of
Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the National Union of Journalists of
Philippines (NUJP), in expressing deep concern at shootings by unidentified
gunmen at a radio station in Roxas City, in the Capiz Province of the
Philippines, on the evening of September 14.
NUJP Roxas City Chapter chairman John Heredia reportedly stated that two
men on a single motorcycle fired at the dyOW-Bombo Radyo Roxas
City broadcast centre on Arnaldo Boulevard around 9:30pm local time.
Bombo Radyo area manager for Visayas, Warren French, told the
NUJP that a number of deskmen, technical staff and a security guard were
present at the time of…
The International Federation
of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the National Union of Journalists
Philippines (NUJP) in expressing concern after a reporter filed a report with
police about two men on a motorcycle who arrived at
her home seeming intent to threaten her.
Julie Alipala, Mindanao correspondent for the Philippine
Daily Inquirer filed a report with
the Zamboanga City Police, in Mindanao, Philippines on September 14.
According to reports from the
NUJP, Alipala also narrated the incident on her Facebook page reporting that
two men wearing full-faced helmets stopped at the gate to her house. The back
rider got off the bike and asked Alipala’s son…
(Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)- A Pan-African conference on the safety of journalists
and the issue of impunity has opened yesterday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The
two-day conference is organized by Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) in
collaboration with the Directorate of Information and Communication (DIC) of
the African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Journalists’ leaders, governments’ representatives, UN officials, press freedom
activists and African Union Commission’s officials as well trade unionists are
meeting to discuss strategies aiming to move forward the campaign…
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins
partner organisations and affiliates in India in welcoming the release on bail
of Aseem Trivedi, a cartoonist and anti-corruption campaigner, after his arrest in Mumbai city on September 8 on charges of sedition and causing insult to India’s
‘national honour’.
The charge of sedition under article 124A of the
Indian Penal Code has been withdrawn by the police. Trivedi will continue to
face charges under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act and the
Information Technology Act, but was released on September 12, after posting a
bail bond of INR 5,000 (roughly USD 100).
IFJ partners,…
The International Federation of Journalists
(IFJ) joins its affiliate the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) in its
shock and concern regarding the the discovery of the body of journalist Chandan
Nepali, Correspondent for Radio Sky in Murbhung, Gulmi in Nepal’s west on
September 11, 2012.
Nepali had apparently gone missing three days before his body was
found at Bhyagute Cliff in Gulmi. Severe damage found to Nepali’s head has
raised questions as to the manner of his death.
The IFJ joins the FNJ in demanding the Government of Nepal conduct
a thorough investigation into ascertaining the cause of Nepali’s death.
We also join…
The
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the Hong Kong
Journalists Association in strongly condemning the false imprisonment and
harassment of two Hong Kong-based journalists in Daxiang
District , Shaoyang City, in China’s eastern Hunan province as they investigated
the suspicious death of a Chinese activist.
On
September 12, Hong Kong-based newspaper Ming
Pao reported that two of its journalists were harassed and falsely
imprisoned in a hotel for 44 hours, and held under the surveillance of the local security bureau without explanation. The pair were detained
once the security bureau discovered that the journalists were…
The Federation of African
Journalists (FAJ) joins the International
Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in expressing solidarity to the journalists and
other workers of Dar Assabah, the Tunisian media group, who went on
strike demanding editorial freedom at its three publications, namely the Arabic
daily Assabah, the French daily Le Temps and the Arabic weekly Al-Assabah
Ousbouî.
According to the National Union of Tunisian
Journalists (SNJT in french), a FAJ affiliate, journalists and staff of the
media house are demanding the departure of Lotfi Touati, recently appointed
Chief Executive Officer of Dar Assabah.
Mr. Touati, who served as
a police commissioner…
11/9/12, BrusselsGroupings of screenwriters, directors, composers, songwriters and journalists welcome adopted European Parliament report that calls for "fair and proportional" remuneration.ECSA, EFJ, FERA, FSE,SAA, and UNI MEI jointly congratulated the European Parliament on its adoption of the report "Online Distribution of Audiovisual Works" that recognises that action needs to be taken to strengthen the position of authors in guaranteeing that they are remunerated in line with the success of their creative works.The report, prepared by French MEP Jean-Marie Cavada (EPP), underlined that it was "essential" that authors and performers remuneration was…
11/9/12, Brussels Groupings of screenwriters, directors, composers,
songwriters and journalists welcome adopted European Parliament report that
calls for "fair and proportional" remuneration. ECSA, EFJ, FERA,
FSE,SAA, and UNI MEI jointly congratulated the European Parliament on its
adoption of the report "Online
Distribution of Audiovisual Works" that recognises that action needs to be
taken to strengthen the position of authors in guaranteeing that they are
remunerated in line with the success of their creative works. The report, prepared
by French MEP Jean-Marie Cavada (EPP), underlined that it was "essential" that
authors and performers remuneration was "fair and proportional…
Two Swedish journalists are among prisoners who have been pardoned in Ethiopia to mark the country's New Year Day. Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye were jailed in December 2011 for 11 years following their conviction for "supporting a terrorist organisation and illegally entering Ethiopia". The two journalists, who were reportedly pardoned in July by former Prime Minister Meles Zenawi who died in August, were freed yesterday and are expected to fly home soon, according to media reports.
"We welcome the news of their release which will come as huge relief for their families and colleagues," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. "They have spent more than a year in prison on flimsy charges but…
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today joined its Iraqi syndicate in paying tribute to journalist Farqad Husseini who was killed in a car bomb explosion on Sunday. The bomb went off in Al Hobobi Area, Al Kornish Street in the center of al Nasiriyah city."We all mourn the tragic death of Farqad which is another reminder of the risks our colleagues in Iraq continue to face in their daily work," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. "Those who deliberately seek to harm unsuspecting members of the public, including journalists, need to be condemned and hunted down to answer for their actions."The Iraqi Journalists' Syndicate (IJS) also condemned the journalist's killing and called…
The International Federation of Journalists joins
partners and affiliates in India in calling for the immediate and unconditional
discharge of Aseem Trivedi, a cartoonist and anti-corruption campaigner
arrested on September 8 on charges of sedition and causing insult to India’s national
emblems.
Trivedi was remanded to a week in police custody by a
court in the city of Mumbai on September 9. Following critical remarks by the
Home Minister of Maharashtra state and much public outrage, the police on
September 10 informed the court that it had completed investigations into a
criminal complaint filed in January and had no further need to detain Trivedi.
The cartoonist…
The International Federation of Journalists stands in solidarity
with its affiliate The National Union of Journalists and the family, friends
and supporters of murdered journalist and environmental activist Gerardo
“Gerry” Ortega as they stage a rally today, September 10, in front of the Court
of Appeals, Manila.
Human Rights, media and civil society groups seeking justice for
the slain journalist will stage a rally urging the appellate court to reject
petitions filed by former Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes and Mayor Mario Reyes
–alleged masterminds in the killing of Gerry Ortega - to drop the murder
charges against them.
“We hope you can help my family find…
The
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on the authorities
in The Gambia to release two journalists arrested on Friday.
“We condemn
these arrests and call on authorities to release the two journalists to
continue their work in favor of freedom of expression. In a context of recent
executions of nine death row inmates in The Gambia ordered by President Yaya
Jammeh these arrests show that the Gambia is determined to kill all freedoms.
The international community must press the Gambian authorities in a continuous
action in favor of human rights,” said Gabriel Baglo, Director IFJ Africa
Office.
According to
Gambian Press Union…
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) yesterday took the first step to launch a new high-level campaign aimed at the General Assembly of the United Nations on the protection and safety of journalists. An IFJ delegation led by its president Jim Boumelha was received yesterday by the President of General Assembly Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser of Qatar as part of a coalition that came together following a conference on journalists held in Doha last January under the aegis of the Qatar National Human Rights Committee.The coalition included the IFJ delegation comprising its president Jim Boumelha, Omar Faruk, President of the Federation of African Journalists, Celso Schroder,…
The First Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court in Paris ruled in favour of a photojournalist whose works were digitised by a press agency, Corbis Sygma, and made available online. The court said that Corbis Sygma violated the copyright of the photojournalist by digitising his work without explicit consent. Although the photojournalist previously worked for Corbis Sygma, such use was not expressly mentioned in the contract. According to the French Intellectual Property Code, Article L131 - 3, it requires that each assigned right (eg, the right of reproduction, the right of representation, the right of communication to the public, etc.) and each type of use be mentioned specifically in…
The First Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court in Paris ruled
in favour of a photojournalist whose works were digitised by a press agency, Corbis
Sygma, and made available online. The court said that Corbis Sygma violated the
copyright of the photojournalist by digitising his work without explicit
consent. Although the photojournalist previously
worked for Corbis Sygma, such use was not expressly mentioned in the contract.
According to the French Intellectual Property Code, Article L131 - 3, it
requires that each assigned right (eg, the right of reproduction, the right of
representation, the right of communication to the public, etc.) and each type
of use be mentioned…
The International
Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the Hong Kong Journalists
Assocation (HKJA) in condemning two violent attacks on against Hong Kong media outlets within a week.
The Sing Tao News
Corporation was attacked twice in one week, with the latest attack occurring at
Tsim Sha Tsui, in southern Kowloon on September 4.According to reports, three axe-wielding masked men smashed the glass
panels at the offices.
Six people have now
been arrested in relation to the attack, and two cars have also been reportedly
been seized.
A similar attack also
took place at Sin Tao’s headquarters in Shau Kei Wan, Hong Kong…
The body
of a radio blocktimer Eddie Jesus Apostol, who was reported missing last month,
was recovered from the Liguasan Marsh near the town of Sultan sa Barongis in
Maguindanao, Philippines on September 1.
According
to the National Union of Journalists Philippines local Kidapawan Chapter,
military spokesman, Col. Prudencio Asto, had said that Apostol was found
hogtied and had been shot twice in the head. Apostol’s motorcycle and a still unknown sum of money were missing,
although his press card was recovered from the area.
The motive
behind the killing is unclear. Radio dxND Programming Director Malu Manar said Apostol covered
local development…
Fear is mounting over the fate of a group of Eritrean journalists who have been held without charges since 2001, following the regime's clampdown on independent media. The International Federation of Journalists (IF), which has from the beginning campaigned for their release, today called on the Eritrean government to disclose information about their situation amid reports that some have died."These journalists have been denied justice by the regime's unconscionable disregard for their fundamental rights," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. "Now their very lives are at risk and time is running out to save them. The authorities must disclose their whereabouts and state of health." The…
The authorities in Tanzania must launch an immediate investigation into
the incident in which a prominent journalist, Daudi Mwangosi, was killed on
Sunday while covering an opposition political rally in a village of the Iringa region, south of the country. The
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) made the call amid reports that the
journalist was assaulted by police officers and later struck by a tear gas as
police charged protesters.
“We are deeply shocked by this killing which robs a family and the
profession of a decent man and a courageous journalist,” said Beth Costa, IFJ
General Secretary. “The circumstances surrounding his death indicate…
The International Federation of Journalists
(IFJ) is alarmed to learn of death threats made to a Nepali journalist through
email, after he published a story in a local daily on a war-time atrocity of
2003, in which soldiers of the Nepal army are believed to have killed some
nineteen individuals on suspicion of involvement with the Maoist insurgency.
According to information received
from the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), an IFJ affiliate, Kathmandu-based
Ganesh Pandey received threats by email over a period of five days, from a
person who identified himself as Gyanbhi Gurung. This was after a story
appeared under Pandey’s byline in the Samacharpatra daily…
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
joins its affiliate the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) in condemning
the ongoing anti-union activities of Jakarta-based TV station, Metro TV.
As noted in a previous IFJ statement, Metro TV sacked Indonesia journalist Luviana in February 2012,
despite her 10 years of work for the TV station, in apparent response to her
attempts to establish a workers’ union.
While the case has not yet been subjected to an
enforcement power of settlement, Metro TV has not paid Luviana since June 27, in
conflict with Indonesia’s Governmental
Regulation No. 8/1981 on Salary
Protection, of which Article 2…
What does unfair contract look like? See the samples below
Sample I is from an international news organisation based in the US.
Sample II is from a news agency in Madrid, Spain.
Sample III is from a news magazine in Madrid, Spain.
Sample IV is a freelance contract for a German newspaper based in Ludwigshafen.
Sample V is from a German publishing house.
Sample VI is from a German scientific magazine.
For more information about unfair contracts, please visit the IFJ Authors' Rights Campaign.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
strongly condemns the attacks on newspersons on professional assignment during
a day-long general strike called on August 28 by a youth-led political organisation
in the north-eastern Indian state of Assam.
According to reports received from the Journalists’ Union
of Assam (JUA), a constituent unit of the IFJ-affiliate, the Indian
Journalists’ Union, a number of journalists were the victims of planned and
targeted attacks that day.
Amulya Kumar Nath, correspondent for TV channel
Newslive in Goalpara district in the western part of Assam, was attacked and
his camera snatched. He was subsequently…
The International Federation of
Journalists (IFJ) joints its affiliate the Federation of Nepali Journalists
(FNJ) in calling for the authorities of Nepal to act swiftly against political
functionaries of the Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) (NCP-M), who brutally beat
up and injured Nabin Rijal, a former vice-president of the FNJ’s Dailekh district
chapter in the mid-western region on August 25.
According to reports received
from the FNJ, Rijal was attacked by a group of party workers led by local NCP-M
leader Ajit Chand, late on the evening of 25 August 2012. He suffered serious
injuries on the head and back as a result of the attack. Rijal reported that
his attackers…
The
International Federation of Journalists joins its affiliate The Media,
Entertainment & Arts Alliance in expressing concern that foreign
journalists have been banned from accessing the proposed Regional Processing
Centre for Asylum Seekers on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea. By contrast,
Nauru has promised to give journalists access to report the stories and
conditions of asylum seekers in its care.
Responding
to media reports about the PNG ban, Christopher Warren, federal secretary of
the Media Alliance: “It’s disturbing that after having their visa application
approved by the PNG Prime Minister’s office, a Fairfax Media journalist…
A delegation from the International Federation of Journalists and the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) today met in Accra John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana.The delegation, comprising Jim Boumelha, President of the IFJ, Omar Faruk Osman, President of FAJ, Mohamed Garba, President of the West African Journalists Association (WAJA), Bright Blewu and Ransford Tetteh, respectively General Secretary and President of Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), and Shuaibu Usman Leman, National Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), stressed the importance of the current dialogue between government and journalists, in particular the urgent need to improve the…
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
joins its affiliate the Indian Journalists’ Union (IJU) in urging the Indian
government to reconsider its strategy of combating rumours that have led to a mass
exodus of people of north-eastern Indian origin, from certain of the country’s industrial
cities.
On August 15, as India celebrated the sixty-five year
anniversary of its independence, large numbers of people from the north-eastern
states who have settled in the southern city of Bangalore crowded into the
city’s railway station, seeking passage back home.
The following day, a similar exodus occurred from
Pune, Hyderabad and Chennai,…
A militiaman
and suspect in the Maguindanao massacre case, Esmael Canapia, will testify in front of the Quezon City Regional
Trial Court (QC RTC) today in his bid to be
instated as a state witness.
The motion, filed by
the Prosecution, sought to overturn an earlier decision made by the QC RTC which
denied the bids of Inspector Ariel Diongon, Police Officer Rainer Ebus and
militiaman Mohammad Sangki to become state witnesses in the trial. Prosecution lawyers argued that Diongon and Canapia’s
testimonies were necessary to identify those involved in the November 23, 2009
massacre of 58 people in Maguindanao.
The
International Federation of Journalists Asia…
The International
Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is concerned by the recent
restrictions on the Chinese media’s ability to report on issues of public concern.
According to reports
received, China’s Central Propaganda Department issued a restrictive order on
August 18, preventing Mainland media from reporting on protests that followed an
incident in which Japanese authorities detained a group of Chinese activists in
relation to the disputed Diaoyu or Senkakus Islands. (The group was released on
August 17).
The protests, characterised
as “anti-Japan” reportedly took place across China including Shenzhen,
Guangzhou, Jinan, Hangzhou,…
The International Federation of Journalists joins partners in the South
Asia Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN) in expressing concern over a policy shift
by the Government of Bhutan policy shift which restricts the advertising earning
potential of all independent media outlets in the country.
According to sources, a secret circular was issued by the Ministry of
Information and Communication on April 2 asking all government departments to
withhold their advertising from the daily newspaper, The Bhutanese. This circular came to light mid-August and has
caused serious concern among independent media.
Following this, in June, the Ministry of Information and…
The International Federation of
Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the Federation of Nepali Journalists
(FNJ) in calling for the immediate investigation of a death threat made against journalist
Hemanta Poudel, a reporter with the Samacharpatra daily on August 15 in the far western region of Nepal.
According to reports, a police
officer made the threats against Mr Poudel’s life on behalf of the local Superintendent of
Police Ghanashyam Aryal.
The threats followed the
publication of a report by Sudur Sandesh on August 12, which uncovered local police involvement in cross-border smuggling
between Nepal and India.
“Threats against…
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in
association with the National Union of Journalists (India) and other media partners
convened a consultative meeting in Delhi on August 7 to discuss the problems of
journalism in areas affected by Maoist insurgency.
Situation reports on journalism in three states that
have witnessed some of the most intense conflict -- Orissa, Chhattisgarh and
Jharkhand – were presented and discussed.
Hazards for journalists have been mounting in recent
years, with increasing violence, splits within the Maoist ranks and demands
that coverage be tilted to favour one or the other side in the conflict.
Many…
Media groups including the National Union of
Journalists of the Philippines, Philippine Press Institute, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster
sa Pilipinas, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism and ABS-CBN and
GMA7 networks marked the 1000th day since the Ampatuan Massacre on Sunday,
August 19, with a vigil at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City from 4pm
Sunday August 19 to 9am Monday August 20.
The 1000th day commemoration pays
tribute to the fallen victims of the brutal massacre of
58 civilians including 32 journalists on November 23, 2009. The families of the
massacre victims read personal messages. Artists, singers, poets, actors,
activists, journalists…
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) today mourn two journalists and two cameramen killed in a plane accident that made 32 victims in Sudan.“This is very sad news of 32 dead including our four Sudanese journalists’ colleagues killed in the plane accident in South Kurdofan. We are deeply devastated by their death. We send our condolences to their families. We also call on authorities in Sudan to investigate the causes and circumstances of the accident,” said Gabriel Baglo, Director IFJ Africa Office.According to Sudanese Journalists Union, an IFJ and FAJ affiliate, two journalists and two cameramen were…
The
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate the Pakistan
Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) are deeply saddened by the suicide of a young
journalist in Lahore following her employer’s refusal to pay her salary.
Ms
Semaab worked for local Lahore newspaper Daily
Anti-Crime. She was the sole financial provider for her family including younger
siblings and her father who requires regular medical treatment for cancer.
According to reports, Ms Semaab jumped from the fourth story of the hostel
where she lived with her family on August 15 following the newspaper
management’s persistent refusal to pay her salary for several months.…
India’s main journalism unions held a day-long consultation on August 8,
on key professional challenges. The action plan that emerged seeks to bring the
struggle for a new deal for journalists to the very foreground of a public
campaign for restoring quality and credibility in India’s news media.
First among the three principal challenges discussed on August 8 were the
threats to the integrity of news gathering and dissemination, as represented
currently in the practice of “paid news” or “cash for coverage”. Despite action
by the Election Commission of India to check the abuse which has been closely
studied in the context of the media…
The International Federation of Journalists
stands in unity with its affiliate the National Union of Journalists of the
Philippines (NUJP) and the Philippine media
community to observe Freedom of Information Day and reiterate demands for the Aquino
government to pass the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
In a
meeting on August 3, the NUJP, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), Philippine Press Institute (PPI),
ABS-CBN and GMA networks, the Philippine Centre for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) and blogger groups declared August
15 Freedom of Information Day. The day is being used as a reminder that
the Philippines has been waiting for a freedom of information law…
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today vigorously condemned the killings on 12 August 2012 in Mogadishu (Somalia) of Mohamud Ali Keyre (Buneyste) a freelance journalist, and Yusuf Ali Osman, a veteran Journalist and director of Programme at the Ministry of Information, Posts and Telecommunications.
“These Serial Killings of journalists have made a bad name of the Somalia as the most deadly country in Africa. The security of journalists in the course of their work is more important than ever before in Somalia. We call on authorities to seriously trace the killers and put an end to this criminal activity,” said Gabriel Baglo IFJ Africa…
The International Federation of Journalists
(IFJ) has received news from its affiliate the Timore Lorosa’e Journalists’
Association (TLJA) that a radio broadcaster was stabbed in Timor Leste’s
capital city Dili, on August 10.
The reporter has been identified as Leoneto Gonsalves, a presenter
that works at Dili-based community radio station Radio Rankambia, that
covers politics and business, as well as campaigns for media freedom, social
justice and development.
According to Radio
Rankambia’s Director Eurico Pereira, Gonsalves was stabbed three times by two
as-yet-unidentified persons on motorbikes. Gonsalves was reportedly in front…
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called for the release of journalist Houssein Ahmed Farah, detained in Djibouti.
« The Party-State monopoly of the media landscape is a handicap to freedom of expression in Djibouti, » said Gabriel Baglo, IFJ Africa Office Director.
« We call on authorities to immediately release the journalist, a way to promote freedom of expression, » Baglo added.
Houssein Ahmed Farah, journalist with opposition radio La Voix de Djibouti, broadcasting from Europe has been arrested on Wednesday August 8 by the police and detained at the police…
