14 March 2003
Frequently Asked Questions
I am a journalist. Can I become a member of the IFJ?
The International Federation of Journalists is a confederation of more than a hundred national journalists' unions and professional associations. It does not admit individuals.
To benefit from IFJ membership, journalists should join one of the unions or associations listed on this site. Your union or association can then apply on your behalf for the IFJ International Press Card.
We are a journalists union. How can we become a member of the IFJ?
Any national union of journalists and professional associations that wants to affiliate must fill-in an application form and send us a copy of its constitution. The request will be submitted to the Executive Committee of the IFJ, which meets at least twice a year.
Can freelance journalists become members of a national union of journalists or professional association?
Normally yes, depending on the admission rules of each union and association. The policy of the IFJ is to integrate freelances into union membership. Most unions have special sections to represent freelance interests.
How many journalists work in Europe or over the world?
We do not have these statistics. The only figures we have are the number of journalists affiliated in our member unions. We estimate that there are at least 1.500.000 people world-wide working as journalists. In Europe the IFJ represents more than 230.000 journalists.
Can the IFJ provide me with information about members in national unions?
No. The IFJ has no information about individual members of the national unions or associations. If you need specific information about a country or an individual, please contact the union in the concerned country: List of Unions
Who can apply for the IFJ press-card and how can it be obtained?
Every journalist affiliated to an IFJ member union or association can obtain the International Press Card from the IFJ. The request has to be made directly by the union or association.
What is the difference between the national press card and the international IFJ press card?
There is no easy comparison as both cards do not have the same objective. The national card establishes the status of a journalist according to national law. In some countries there is no national press card. In this case, the IFJ press card allows a minimum level of recognition for journalists and more protection if the holder of the card works in dangerous places. The IFJ Press Card is recognised by most international organisations including the UN system and the institutions of the European Union.
The International Federation of Journalists is a confederation of more than a hundred national journalists' unions and professional associations. It does not admit individuals.
To benefit from IFJ membership, journalists should join one of the unions or associations listed on this site. Your union or association can then apply on your behalf for the IFJ International Press Card.
We are a journalists union. How can we become a member of the IFJ?
Any national union of journalists and professional associations that wants to affiliate must fill-in an application form and send us a copy of its constitution. The request will be submitted to the Executive Committee of the IFJ, which meets at least twice a year.
Can freelance journalists become members of a national union of journalists or professional association?
Normally yes, depending on the admission rules of each union and association. The policy of the IFJ is to integrate freelances into union membership. Most unions have special sections to represent freelance interests.
How many journalists work in Europe or over the world?
We do not have these statistics. The only figures we have are the number of journalists affiliated in our member unions. We estimate that there are at least 1.500.000 people world-wide working as journalists. In Europe the IFJ represents more than 230.000 journalists.
Can the IFJ provide me with information about members in national unions?
No. The IFJ has no information about individual members of the national unions or associations. If you need specific information about a country or an individual, please contact the union in the concerned country: List of Unions
Who can apply for the IFJ press-card and how can it be obtained?
Every journalist affiliated to an IFJ member union or association can obtain the International Press Card from the IFJ. The request has to be made directly by the union or association.
What is the difference between the national press card and the international IFJ press card?
There is no easy comparison as both cards do not have the same objective. The national card establishes the status of a journalist according to national law. In some countries there is no national press card. In this case, the IFJ press card allows a minimum level of recognition for journalists and more protection if the holder of the card works in dangerous places. The IFJ Press Card is recognised by most international organisations including the UN system and the institutions of the European Union.
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